Congo-Rep. Democratic Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in the Democratic Republic of Congo reflects the country's political and economic changes. Since its independence in 1960, the Congo has undergone several transformations in its currency, going through different denominations and designs that represent its evolution as a nation.

Current banknotes in circulation

Currently, the official currency is the Congolese franc, reintroduced in 1997. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 francs. These banknotes feature images of local fauna, such as okapis and gorillas, as well as scenes depicting the country's natural and cultural wealth.

Historical banknotes and relevant facts

Prior to the current Congolese franc, the country used the zaire as its currency between 1967 and 1997. During this period, banknotes were issued with values up to 5 million zaire due to hyperinflation. An important milestone in Congolese notafilia was the issuance of emergency banknotes in 1997, known as "Nouveaux Zaïres", which were briefly used before the introduction of the current Congolese franc.