Banknotes

The current family of banknotes used in Botswana was launched on August 21, 2009, the same day ('Pula Day') that the Pula was first lauched in 1976. The banknotes family includes five notes in a denomination structure comprising P10, P20, P50 and P100, and P200. 

All, except the P200 note which was not issued previously, retain the basic colour and layout as the earlier notes. All notes feature a rampant zebra watermark. The main design features of the new banknotes are as follows.

Front		Reverse
	The banknote is green with the portrait of His Excellency President Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama. On the reverse side, the picture is of the National Assembly building.
	The banknote is red with the portrait of the composer of the national anthem, Dr K T Motsete. On the reverse side, the picture is of a mining installation.
	The banknote is brown with the portrait of Sir Seretse Khama, the founding president of Botswana. On the reverse side, the picture is of the Okavango Delta swamps, featuring a man on a mokoro (small boat) and a fish eagle.
	The banknote is blue with the portrait of the three chiefs who travelled to Britain in the 1890s to secure the country’s identity. On the reverse side, the picture is an open pit diamond mine and a diamond sorter examining a rough diamond.
	The banknote is purple with the art work of a woman teaching pupils. The concept is intended primarily to underscore the contribution of women in the country’s development through education. On the reverse side, there is a picture of a herd of zebras at a waterhole.

     Frequently asked questions about the new family of banknotes

The previous family of banknotes was formally withdrawn from circulation at the end of March 2010. After this date they should be exchanged for new notes at the Bank of Botswana (headquarters or Francistown Branch).


Coins

Coins are issued for smaller currency denominations as these are more convenient for such transactions as well as longer lasting. Coins currently in circulation include 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, P1, P2, and P5.

Security features

In the development of the new banknotes, the Bank has used the latest technology in banknote design that incorporates the latest security features. It is important that members of the public are familiar with the security features of all banknotes in circulation and to be vigilant in ensuring that only genuine banknotes are in circulation or in their possession at all times. This is to support counterfeit prevention efforts, and also applies to the previous family of banknotes as they will not be demonetised until December 2014.


     Learn about banknote security features



Currency Statistics

Statistics on currency in circulation are included in both the monthly Botswana Financial Statistics  (Tables 3.6 – 3.7) and the statistical section of the Bank’s Annual Report

     Most recent BFS

     Most recent Annual Report Statistics Section