RBZ says ZiG supplier payments won't end the multicurrency system

A ZiG-only supplier payment rule spooked Zimbabweans, and the central bank rushed out reassurances that the multicurrency system isn't dying.

What triggered the panic

• Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced ZiG-only local payments.
• His March 13 statement applied to all public-sector suppliers.
• Black-market currency fears immediately started swirling.
• Inflation anxiety spiked over potential exchange-rate chaos.

RBZ Governor steps in to cool things down

• John Mushayavanhu issued a calming statement on March 17.
• Multicurrency system is not going anywhere yet, he stressed.
• Suppliers can still access USD on the interbank market.
• Foreign currency reserves hit US$16 billion in 2025 receipts.

Inflation and stability benchmarks look solid

• January 2026 inflation sat at 4.1 percent.
• February's number dipped even further to 3.85 percent.
• Exchange-rate expectations are anchored, per the RBZ.
• Full ZiG transition only happens when preconditions are met.