Malawian kwacha explained

Iso Code:MWK
Date Of Introduction:1971
Using Countries: Malawi
Image 1:MalawiK.png
Image Title 1:Old coins of the Malawian kwacha.
Image 2:MWK2000v.jpg
Image Title 2:current k2000 banknote
Inflation Rate:19.90%
Inflation Source Date:Rbm Nov 2016 [1]
Replaced Currency:Malawian pound
Subunit Name 1:tambala
Symbol:K
Frequently Used Coins:1, 5, 10 kwacha
Rarely Used Coins:1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 tambala
Used Banknotes:20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 kwacha
Issuing Authority:Reserve Bank of Malawi

The kwacha (; ISO 4217: MWK, official name Malawi Kwacha[2]) is the currency of Malawi as of 1971, replacing the Malawian pound. It is divided into 100 tambala. The kwacha replaced other types of currency, namely the British pound sterling, the South African rand, and the Rhodesian dollar, that had previously circulated through the Malawian economy. The exchange rate of the kwacha undergoes fixed periodical adjustments, but since 1994 the exchange rate has floated.[3] In 2005, administrative measures were put in place by Bingu wa Mutharika[4] to peg the exchange rate with other currencies.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HOME :: Reserve Bank of Malawi . 2010-10-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101103054104/http://www.rbm.mw/ . 2010-11-03 .
  2. https://www.currency-iso.org/dam/downloads/dl_currency_iso_amendment_162.pdf ISO 4217 amendment number 162 dated 24 Feb 2016, change of currency name
  3. Frederic L. Pryor, The political economy of poverty, equity, and growth: Malaŵi and Madagascar Oxford University Press, 1990, p. 415
  4. News: Malawi devalues currency by a third. Al Jazeera. 8 May 2012. 2012-05-08.
  5. XE Currency Converter
  6. "Malawi." NumisMaster. F+W Publications, Inc. 2011. Web. 17 February 2011.
  7. Web site: Malawi: Govt Introduces 2,000 Kwacha Banknote . 2016-11-11 . 2016-11-12., Nyasa Times
  8. Web site: Currency: Notes & Coins . Rbm.mw . 2014-03-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140422171739/http://www.rbm.mw/cur_notescoins.aspx . 2014-04-22 .
  9. Book: Linzmayer . Owen . The Banknote Book . Malawi . www.BanknoteNews.com . 2012 . San Francisco, CA .
  10. http://banknotenews.com/files/65bd61dc00741e533fc0d888fe853846-2098.php Malawi new banknote family confirmed
  11. Web site: Malawi releases new Kwacha bank notes | Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi . Nyasatimes.com . 2014-03-23.
  12. http://www.malawitoday.com/news/125296-reserve-bank-goofs-new-k20-banknote Reserve Bank goofs on new K20 banknote
  13. http://www.amalawi.info/index.php/2012/07/10/malawi-central-bank-to-issue-new-blind-friendly-bank-notes Malawi Central-Bank to issue new blind friendly bank notes
  14. Web site: Malawi new banknote family confirmed | Africa . Banknote News . 2012-06-05 . 2014-03-23.
  15. Web site: P-W70 .
  16. Web site: P-W71 .
  17. Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions, International Monetary Fund, 2006,, p[page 716</ref> Banknotes are issued by the [[Reserve Bank of Malawi]]. In May 2012, the Reserve Bank of Malawi devalued the kwacha by 34% and unpegged it from the United States dollar.The currency was further devalued by 25% by the central bank in May 2022 followed by another 44% devaluation in November 2023 raising inflation rate in Malawi.

    Etymology

    The name kwacha was first used in Zambia, where the Zambian kwacha was introduced in 1968. It derives from the Chinyanja or Chichewa word meaning "it has dawned", while tambala translates as "rooster" in Chichewa. The tambala was so named because a hundred roosters announce the dawn.

    History

    The kwacha replaced the Malawian pound in 1971 at a rate of two kwacha to one pound.

    one British pound sterling was equal to approximately 883.43 kwachas, one US dollar was equal to 725.16 kwachas and one South African rand was equal to 47.69 kwachas. one Euro is equivalent to 797.42 Kwachas.[5]

    Coins

    The first coins introduced in 1971 were in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 tambala. In 1986, 50 tambala and 1 kwacha coins were also introduced. In January 2007, 5 and 10 kwacha coins, which actually bear a mint date of 2006, were also released into circulation. On 23 May 2012 new 1, 5 and 10 kwacha coins were released into circulation

    The 1 and 2 tambala coins are composed of copper-plated steel. The 5 tambala coin is of nickel-plated steel. The 50 tambala and 1 kwacha coin are composed of brass-plated steel.[6]

    Banknotes

    In 1971, banknotes dated 1964 were introduced in denominations of 50 tambala, 1, 2 and 10 kwacha. 5 kwacha notes were introduced in 1973 when the 2 kwacha note was discontinued. 20 kwacha notes were introduced in 1983. 50 tambala notes were last issued in 1986, with the last 1 kwacha notes printed in 1992. In 1993, 50 kwacha notes were introduced, followed by 100 kwacha in 1993, 200 kwacha in 1995, 500 kwacha in 2001 and 2000 kwacha in November 2016 to ease desperate cash shortages.[7]

    As of 2008, the following banknote denominations are in circulation:

    1997 Series [8]
    Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Date of first printing
    Obverse Reverse
    K5126 × 63 mmGreenJohn ChilembweVillagers mashing grain1 July 1997
    K10132 × 66 mmBrownChildren in "bush" school
    K20138 × 69 mmPurpleWorkers harvesting tea leaves
    K50144 × 72 mmBlueIndependence Arch in Blantyre
    K100150 × 75 mmRedCapital Hill in Lilongwe
    K200156 × 78 mmBlueReserve Bank building in Lilongwe
    K500162 × 81 mmMulti-colourReserve Bank building in Blantyre1 December 2001

    According to an article in the Nyasa Times dated 9 March 2012, within the next six months the Reserve Bank of Malawi would introduce a whole new series of notes, including a 1,000-kwacha note, twice the largest denomination currently in circulation. The notes were announced in Biantyre on 8 March by Governor Dr. Perks Ligoya. The new notes would be much smaller in size than the current notes, which served as a cost-cutting measure. The new 1,000-kwacha note was going to be printed by De La Rue.[9] [10]

    On 23 May 2012, the Nyasa Times reported that the Reserve Bank of Malawi introduced the new 1,000 kwacha note into circulation along with the proposed new notes. The new 1,000 kwacha note was valued at around US$4. The new kwacha had the face of the first president Kamuzu Banda on the front and the back carries a depiction of Mzuzu maize silos.[11]

    The new 20 kwacha note was found to contain an error. On the back of the note is a building identified as the Domasi Teacher's Training College (now known as the Domasi College of Education). However, it is reported that the building is, in fact, the Machinga Teacher's Training College.[12]

    The Reserve Bank of Malawi is going to revise its new family of notes so that they are more "blind friendly". According to the Malawi Union of the Blind, the current notes have raised dots to aid in recognition of the denominations, but the dots are too small to be useful.[13]

    2012 Series [14]
    Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Date of first printing
    Obverse Reverse
    K20128 × 64 mmPurpleReserve Bank of Malawi headquarters in Lilongwe; Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa II (Lazalo Mkhuzo Jere)Domasi Teachers Training College building and tree; stack of books and mortarboard23 May 2012
    K50128 × 64 mmLight blue and greenReserve Bank of Malawi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani II (Philip Zitonga Maseko)Elephants, tree, and safari vehicle in Kasungu National Park
    K100128 × 64 mmRedReserve Bank of Malawi headquarters building in Lilongwe; James Frederick SangalaCollege of Medicine in Blantyre; stethoscope
    K200132 × 66 mmBlue and violetReserve Bank of Malawi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Rose Lomathinda ChibamboNew Parliament building in Lilongwe
    K500132 × 66 mmBrown and orangeMulunguzi dam in Zomba; water spigot; silhouette of woman carrying container on head and man carrying hoe over shoulder
    K1000132 × 66 mmGreenReserve Bank of Malawi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BandaMzuzu maize silos; stalk of maize (corn); silhouette of two people mashing maize
    K2000YellowReverend John Chilembwe
    outline of Malawi
    Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo District1 June 2016
    2022 Series
    Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Date of first issue
    Obverse Reverse
    [15] K2000135 × 66 mmOrangeReverend John Chilembwe
    outline of Malawi
    Blantyre Magistrate Court24 February 2022
    [16] K5000PurpleDr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda
    outline of Malawi
    Reserve Bank of Malawi central office, Blantyre24 February 2022

    See also

    References