Skip to main content

Zimbabwe devalues currency by almost 40%

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has announced a 39% devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar, to Z$17,500 to the US dollar, as part of a package of reforms designed to reverse the country's precipitous economic decline.

In his mid-year monetary policy statement yesterday, Gideon Gono, governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, also announced a number of liberalisation measures aimed at boosting foreign currency earnings and encouraging residents and Zimbabweans living abroad to repatriate foreign funds.

"The rate that's now going to be given to exporters is Z$17 500 per US dollar," Gono said, adding that the same rate will apply to anyone who exchanges foreign currency at commercial banks in Zimbabwe.

In a surprise move, Gono also announced that the RBZ will designate fuel stations throughout the country that will sell fuel for one US dollar per litre in order to ease a critical shortage that has seen no significant fuel deliveries in Zimbabwe for the past two months.

Zimbabwe's foreign currency market is tightly regulated, but Gono said "no questions will be asked as to where one got his or her foreign currency" to buy fuel.

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: www.centralbanking.com/subscriptions

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Central Banking account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account

.