The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has extended by one month the deadline for exchanging old banknotes through financial institutions, giving citizens additional time to replace the affected currency.
The previous deadline was November 1, 2026, but has now been extended to November 30, 2026.According to BTN, the extension was introduced to allow more people to exchange the banknotes before the revised deadline.
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Old Banknotes to Be Exchanged at BNR Branches After November 30
BNR announced that from December 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027, the affected banknotes will only be exchangeable at the bank’s headquarters in Kiyovu, Kigali, and its branches across the country. The banknotes being withdrawn from circulation include Rwf 500 notes issued on July 1, 2004, and January 1, 2013, as well as Rwf 1,000 notes issued on July 1, 2004, and May 1, 2015.
The affected currency also includes the Rwf 2,000 note issued on October 31, 2007, and Rwf 5,000 notes issued on April 1, 2004, and February 1, 2009. The withdrawal process began on March 2, 2026, and is scheduled to run for 12 months.
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Banknotes That Will Remain in Circulation
BNR has clarified that some banknotes will remain in circulation after the withdrawal exercise. These include Rwf 500 and Rwf 1,000 notes issued on February 1, 2019, as well as Rwf 2,000 and Rwf 5,000 notes issued on December 1, 2014, and June 28, 2024.
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Why BNR Is Withdrawing Old Banknotes
The withdrawal is intended to promote the use of banknotes with improved quality, security and modern anti-counterfeiting features. According to BNR, some of the affected notes have been in circulation for many years, meaning their security features are no longer adequate compared with modern technology.
The bank also noted that currency redesign takes place within scheduled periods as part of efforts to maintain the quality and security of money in circulation. BNR has urged citizens to take advantage of the extended deadline and exchange the affected banknotes within the specified timeframe.
