The kwacha is the currency of Zambia. It is subdivided into 100 ngwee. The name derives from the Nyanja and Bemba word for "dawn", alluding to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom". The name ngwee translates as "bright" in the Nyanja language.
and Coat of Arms
Reverse: Aardvark, Sorghum farming and
Freedom Statue "Chainbreaker" in Lusaka
Freedom Statue "Chainbreaker" in Lusaka
Watermark: Head of an African Fish eagle
Until 1991, all Zambian banknotes featured a portrait of President Kenneth Kaunda on the obverse. Since 1992, all notes have instead featured a fish eagle on the obverse. Since 1989, all the reverses have featured the Chainbreaker statue. In 2003, Zambia became the first African country to issue polymer banknotes. The 500 and 1000 kwacha are both printed on polymer.
