01/01/2021: Digitalization of the kip
The Bank of the Lao PDR introduced digital payment systems and promoted cashless transactions to modernize the use of the kip in the digital era.
13/05/2020: Introduction of New Thousand Kwacha Banknotes
Malawi introduced new banknotes with higher denominations to address issues of inflation and to streamline transactions in a cash-based economy.
01/05/2016: Currency Floatation
The Malawian government allowed the kwacha to float freely against other currencies, leading to a significant depreciation of the currency.
14/10/2013: Kip exchange rate liberalized
Laos liberalized its exchange rate regime, allowing the kip's value to be determined by market forces, leading to fluctuations in its value.
07/08/2012: Introduction of New Kwacha Coins
Malawi introduced new coins to replace smaller denominations of the kwacha banknotes, facilitating transactions and reducing the cost of producing money.
10/04/2000: Introduction of New Kwacha Banknotes
Malawi introduced new banknotes with enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting and to modernize the currency.
02/07/1997: Lao kip devalued
Amidst the Asian financial crisis, the Lao government devalued the kip by approximately 20% against the US dollar.
14/06/1994: Malawi's First Multiparty Democratic Elections
Malawi held its first multiparty democratic elections, leading to a political and economic transition which affected the value of the kwacha.
02/05/1980: Revaluation of the kip
The Lao government initiated a revaluation of the kip, resulting in the exchange rate of 1 new kip to 100 old kip.
01/09/1979: First Devaluation of the Kwacha
The Malawian government devalued the kwacha by 30% in response to economic challenges and to promote exports.
02/12/1976: Kip becomes the sole legal tender
The Lao kip was declared as the sole legal tender in Laos, replacing the use of other currencies within the country.
06/07/1971: Introduction of the Malawian Kwacha
The Malawian Kwacha (MWK) was introduced as the official currency of Malawi, replacing the Malawian pound at a rate of 2 kwacha = 1 pound.
01/01/1952: Currency reform
Laos implemented a currency reform that replaced the French Indochinese piastre with the new kip, at an exchange rate of 100 new kip to 1 old piastre.
12/10/1945: Lao kip introduced
The Lao kip was first introduced as the official currency of Laos following the country's liberation from French colonial rule.