Bank of Mozambique Banknotes | WorldBanknotes.eu

The Bank of Mozambique (Banco de Moçambique) operates as the central monetary authority overseeing a post-reform system, notably defined by the enduring presence of Samora Machel and the transition to polymer banknotes.

Quick Facts

Country: Mozambique

Currency: Mozambique Metical, Mozambique Escudo

Local name: Banco de Moçambique

Institutional Identity

The bank operates as Mozambique’s central monetary authority, managing currency issuance, monetary policy and financial supervision in a post-reform system shaped by inflation stabilization and economic restructuring.

Historical Evolution

Established in 1975 after independence, Banco de Moçambique replaced the colonial system and introduced the metical in 1980, replacing the escudo; after periods of inflation, the currency was redenominated in 2006 at a ratio of 1,000:1, creating the modern metical (MZN).

Design Philosophy

Mozambican banknotes are centered on the portrait of Samora Machel, appearing across modern denominations, combined with wildlife imagery such as elephants and antelopes, agricultural themes and institutional architecture; lower denominations transitioned to polymer in 2011, introducing transparent windows and enhanced durability.

For collectors

For collectors, Banco de Moçambique presents a dual collecting field between high-denomination pre-2006 metical notes (MZM), often reflecting inflation-era scale, and modern polymer-enhanced issues (MZN), where Samora Machel portrait continuity and material transition create strong visual and historical contrast.