The upgraded Namibian banknotes and coins unveiled on Wednesday evening by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are a necessary step, given the country’s banknotes were last updated in 2012 while the domestic coin series has remained unchanged since 1993.
As such, the updated currencies, expected to go into circulation next month, have been designed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing international financial landscape.
“Change is therefore, long overdue because technological advances have progressed, and Namibia must stay on par with the rest of the world. It is therefore, essential to ensure that banknotes and coins are designed for durability, easily recognisable, authentic, and secure in order to help prevent counterfeiting and maintain confidence”, said Nandi-Ndaitwah when launching Namibia’s latest monetary series at a Windhoek hotel.
The President noted that unlike the previous version, the themes that feature on the new coins beautifully celebrate the country’s vital economic sectors that significantly contribute to the nation’s GDP. These include mining, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
“These themes are thoughtfully aligned with the government’s steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and development, and are deliberate choices to recognise the sectors that underpin our economy and that enhance our competitiveness as a country. The banknotes and coins have been aligned with international best practices, as evidenced by the adjustments made to the 10 sizes and materials. The notion aims not only to improve the durability but also to ensure that our currency remains modern, practical, and in line with global standards,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The Bank of Namibia embarked on upgrading the banknote series alongside a fully redesigned domestic coinage series, marking a historic milestone in the central bank’s 35th year journey of promoting price and financial stability. The new series was launched under the theme, “Our Currency, Our Heritage, Our Pride – Meet the Next Generation of the Namibia Dollar”.
Said Nandi-Ndaitwah: “As we launch the upgraded banknotes and new coins today, it is important to note that currency is not just a national symbol. Currency plays an important role in facilitating trade and commerce, attracting investment, and driving economic growth and development. The fact that the Namibia Dollar is stable fosters public confidence in our government policies and provides ordinary Namibians with both opportunities and access to the formal banking sector. This is important because when our money retains its value, Namibians can save, invest and engage in the formal banking sector with confidence”.
The upgraded banknotes continue to honour Namibian heroes, such as Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, a distinguished pioneer and stalwart in the fight against colonial oppression, and the late Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.
The President added that from an inclusivity perspective, the upgraded banknotes incorporate enhanced features designed to better support the visually impaired and partially sighted members of society.
She continued: “We must be mindful that, our currency is a vital national asset, a symbol of our sovereignty and resilience. In light of that, there is need to familiarise ourselves as a nation; to be able to understand the features and security elements of these banknotes and coins, we should also handle them with care and respect”.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Namibia reiterated the President’s sentiments by stating the introduction of the new currency series is driven by a need to modernise the country’s currency in line with international standards, while reinforcing national identity and purpose.
“This upgrade is not merely aesthetic; it reinforces the security, functionality and integrity of our currency, ensuring it remains a trusted means of exchange while embodying the nation’s ambitions, values, resilience and aspirations in a rapidly changing, technologically driven world,” the central bank said.
A notable advancement of the new notes is the introduction of a high-tech composite substrate, a material on which the banknotes are printed for the N$10.00 and N$20.00 denominations, combining the durability of polymer with the familiar feel of paper that Namibians are accustomed to.
In his address, the central bank governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, highlighted the symbolic and economic significance of the new series: “Today marks a historic moment in our journey as the monetary authority of Namibia as we unveil a new era of upgraded banknotes and new coins, while marking the 35th anniversary of the Bank of Namibia. Our history, as the bank, has been characterised by excellence, macro-economic stability, and sustainability. Since the landmark introduction of the Namibia Dollar in 1993, our currency has not only expanded in scale from N$200 million in circulation to over N$5 billion as of 30 June 2025, but a rise also matched by its sweeping transformation in form, function and sophistication”.