Zimbabwe, a nation grappling with economic instability characterized by persistent inflation, has undertaken a notable initiative, with the central bank introducing a gold-backed currency called the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), aiming to tame inflationary pressures.
The announcement, made last Friday, set the stage for a transformative shift in the country’s financial situation. Following swiftly, trading of ZiG commenced on Monday, April 8, marking a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s economic history.
“All share prices will now be denominated in ZiG, therefore the opening prices for the trading session effective April 8 will reflect the ZiG currency,” Justin Bgoni, the CEO of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), said.
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Since its introduction, ZiG has exhibited remarkable strength against the US dollar, registering a cumulative gain of 0.4% and reaching a value of 13.45 against the dollar, according to central bank data. This resilience stems from the substantial backing of ZiG by 2,522 kilograms of gold and $100 million in foreign reserves, providing a solid foundation for its value in the global market.
John Mushayavanhu, the governor of Zimbabwe’s Reserve Bank, informed reporters in the capital Harare on Friday that the new currency would be supported by foreign currencies, gold, and precious minerals.
The policy was kicked off with the issuance of new banknotes, ranging from one to 200 ZiG, featuring imagery such as gold ingots and Zimbabwe’s iconic Balancing Rocks, which symbolizes a fresh start in the country’s monetary policy. Zimbabweans are afforded a 21-day window to convert their old currency into ZiG, streamlining the transition process and ensuring widespread adoption.
Mushayavanhu said the central bank would also introduce a market-determined exchange rate.
“With effect from today … banks shall convert the current Zimbabwe dollar balances into the new currency,” he said.
The new banknotes are part of the government’s efforts to promote “simplicity, certainty, [and] predictability” in Zimbabwe’s financial affairs, according to Mushayavanhu.
Despite initial concerns about reserve adequacy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inspection of the central bank’s vaults on Thursday revealed a robust reserve portfolio. With substantial gold reserves both domestically and abroad, totaling approximately $285 million, ZiG’s foundation is fortified against economic volatility, instilling confidence in its stability and longevity.
According to Mushayavanhu, who assumed his role earlier this year, the vaults hold 1.1 tonnes of solid gold, with an additional 1.5 tonnes stored abroad, which he described as “more than three times cover for the ZiG currency being issued.”
Zimbabwe’s economic woes have refused to go away over the years. Over the past year, the Zimbabwean dollar witnessed a staggering loss of nearly 100 percent of its value against the US dollar. Official trading rates placed the Zimbabwean dollar at about 30,000 against the US dollar, while on the black market, it soared even higher to 40,000, according to tracker Zim Price Check.
This drastic depreciation has exacerbated the country’s already high inflation rate, which stood at 55 percent in March, according to official data. The inflationary pressures have further burdened Zimbabwe’s 16 million citizens, many of whom are grappling with widespread poverty, soaring unemployment rates, and the adverse effects of a severe drought induced by the El Nino weather pattern.
While ZiG offers hope amid the economic climate that has evoked memories of the hyperinflation crisis of 2008, (a period so tumultuous that the central bank issued a 100-trillion-dollar note), its success has become a cause for concern for Zimbabweans.
Local reports indicate a prevailing preference for US dollars in retail and government transactions, suggesting a gradual uptake by financial institutions and underlining persistent challenges in achieving universal acceptance of ZiG.
Analysts also express reservations regarding ZiG’s resilience amid fluctuations in gold prices and the specter of past economic crises.
The unveiling of ZiG marks Zimbabwe’s sixth attempt at a new currency in its efforts to address persistent economic turmoil.
While the launch of ZiG, which signifies a critical juncture in Zimbabwe’s economic reform agenda – aimed at curbing hyperinflation and fostering economic stability, has been hailed for its potential to stimulate economic recovery, economists have advocated sustained efforts to overcome adoption hurdles and ensure the enduring success of the currency.