Zambia is in southern Africa. A landlocked country, it has as its neighbors Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Nambia and the Republic of Congo. The major export is copper. The currency trades under the initials ZMK at the rate of 100 ngwee equal 1 kwacha.
History
Zambia owes its early currency to the British South Africa Company and early British traders. The country had already been on the radar since the 1850s. The Portuguese and David Livingstone had visited. In 1890, the country went under the name of Northern Rhodesian. The only coins were those who came with the explorers and traders. The British South Africa Company arrived drawn by local mines of copper. They supplied coinage for the country in 1923 from South Africa. In 1932, Southern Rhodesian coins came to the country. By 1934, the country came under British rule. There was no specific currency specific to the country.
In 1953, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was founded. The coins emerging had their basis in British coinage, but the designs were African. The Federation disbanded in 1963.In 1964, it became the Republic of Zambia.
The first coinage were pence and shillings. They bore the arms of the Republic and local flora and fauna. The 5-shillings coin of 1965 bore a portrait of Kenneth Kaunda, the first president as well as the arms of the country. New coinage appeared in 1968. This time, the monetary system went decimal. Ngwee coins comprised fractions of a kwacha. The coins have decreased in value and have ceased to exist except as curiosities. The banknotes remain in constant use. Due to economic factors, the country issued 20,000 and 50,000-kwacha notes. There are no coins in Zambia circulating. The banknotes consist of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kwacha.
Obtaining Zambian Kwacha
You can exchange your own currency at forex or foreign exchange offices in large cities and towns. Banks are another way, although they do not always give better rates than exchange bureaus. It is not always possible to obtain money from an ATM. They are not common in the country.
Protecting Your Currency
Lusaka is on area where you need to exercise caution. It is a major city subject to such things as petty theft, carjackings, and burglaries. Copperbelt is another such city. Pursesnatching is more common around railway and bus stations. Be careful in some shopping areas.
Using Your Zambian Kwacha
The Zambian kwacha is very useful in daily transactions. It can come in handy for those impulse buys from street vendors and in large open markets. At the Kawata Cultural Village and other similar places, you can buy authentic handicrafts. Choose from soapstone carvings, grass baskets and copper items. You may also want wooden carvings of the local wildlife.
Travel Tips and Warnings
- The waters of Zambia may have crocodiles.
- Be sure you obey the rules and regulation when you are in a nature reserve.
- Zambia’s border regions have a high presence of landmines. Stay on the beaten path.
- The borders of the Republic of Congo and Angola pose a problem.
- You cannot go to Zambia and not see Victoria Falls.
- See the wildlife in South Luangwa National Park or Lower Zambia National Park.
- Spend some time at and maybe contribute to the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage.
- Go to Mbala and the Moto Moto Museum.
- If you have a guide, visit some of the remoter areas in Northern Zambia.
- Visit the Town Center Market and the National Museum in Lusaka.
- See if you can arrive in Mongu during the Ku’omboka ceremony.
Overview
Zambia
is untamed and beautiful country in South Africa. It depends upon the
vagaries of the copper market to maintain its economy. This makes it
vulnerable to inflation and other factors.
For travel information, see www.zambiatourism.com.
Currency Summary
Current currency: kwacha
100 ngwee equal 1 kwacha
Coins: There are none.
Banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kwacha