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.
08/04/2020: COVID-19 impact on currency circulation
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, circulation of nakfa banknotes decreased as people relied more on digital transactions.
25/02/2019: Introduction of new nakfa banknotes
Eritrea introduced new banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 nakfa.
30/10/2018: Currency devaluation
Eritrea devalued the nakfa by 14%, reducing its official exchange rate to 1 USD = 15 ERN.
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.
22/01/2015: Dollarization policy imposed
Eritrea imposed a dollarization policy, making the US dollar the predominant currency for most transactions.
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.
14/11/2005: Currency redenomination
The Eritrean nakfa underwent a redenomination where old nakfa notes were replaced with new nakfa notes in a ratio of 1:1,000.
10/04/2000: Introduction of New Kwacha Banknotes
Malawi introduced new banknotes with enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting and to modernize the currency.
08/11/1997: Introduction of the Eritrean nakfa
The Eritrean nakfa was introduced as the official currency of Eritrea, replacing the Ethiopian birr.
08/11/1997: Currency exchange rate fixed
The Eritrean nakfa was fixed at an exchange rate of 1 USD = 10 ERN.
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.
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.
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.