Ethiopia today unveiled new Birr notes for 10, 50, and 100 denominations, with the introduction of a new Birr 200 note, Prime Minister Abiy announced in a tweet. The new notes will curb the financing of illegal activities, and also help prevent corruption and contraband, PM Abiy added. The 5 birr note, however, remains unchanged.Most of the print work is currently underway in Ethiopia within the vault of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). Distribution mechanism and planning having been developed and will go in effect through concerned bodies. Security plays a key component in the currency change process and relevant authorities together with members of the community will enforce secure implementation.
A Federal command post that includes National Defense, NISS, and Federal Police will be set up to oversee this process with the expectation that Regional Command Posts will also be set up, the Office of the Prime Minister underlined.
While Ethiopia has never had a symbol to represent its currency, a new symbol has been designed and will be soon unveiled to symbolize the Birr.
