10/04/2026
BoB INTRODUCES P50 & P20 BANKNOTES WITH NEW SIGNATURES INTO CIRCULATION
The Bank of Botswana wishes to inform members of the public, commercial banks, businesses, and other stakeholders that a new emission of P50 and P20 banknotes will be issued into circulation on 15 April 2026. The new P50 and P20 banknotes replenish stocks, in line with Bank’s currency management and, therefore, being newly produced, have signatures of the current Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, and immediately past Governor, Mr Cornelius Dekop. The new versions of the P50 and P20 banknotes retain all the security features of the currently circulating banknotes. The new emissions’ only change is the updated signatures, which will be the same as those of the recently issued P50 commemorative banknote.
The public is advised to familiarise themselves with the security features of these banknotes and to use the “look, feel and tilt” technique to confirm their authenticity, as follows:
: The front of the P50 banknote features a portrait of Botswana’s first President, Sir Seretse Khama, while the P20 banknote features the portrait of Dr Kgalemang Motsete, the composer of the National Anthem. On the reverse side, the P50 banknote depicts a man paddling a mokoro accompanied by a flying fish eagle, whereas the P20 banknote features the first mining installation at Orapa Mine.
On the front right-hand side of both the P50 and P20 banknotes is a clear patch featuring a rampant zebra alongside the banknote’s denomination (P50 or P20), This security feature becomes visible when the banknote is held up to the light, serving as a watermark.
: A raised print effect can be felt by rubbing a finger over the number 50 in the top left-hand corner of the P50 banknote or the number 20 in the same position on the P20 banknote (intaglio printing). In addition, the P50 banknote has three brown tactile dots on the front right-hand edge, which can be felt by rubbing a finger over them to assist visually impaired persons in identifying the banknote. The P20 banknote has two brown tactile dots in the same location.
: When the P50 banknote is tilted, the holographic stripe reveals different images, including the coat of arms, as well as alternating images of the number 50 and a kingfisher. On the P20 banknote, tilting reveals a colour-shifting security thread on the front of the banknote, which changes from red to green, and the text “BOB 20” becomes visible at regular intervals.
The new banknotes will circulate concurrently with the existing P50, P50 Commemorative and P20 banknotes.
[Bank of Botswana]
NOTE: The images (Insert) are courtesy of Bank of Botswana
