Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopia has begun preparations to print the Ethiopian birr inside its own borders for the first time, a step officials say is meant to steady the currency and lower production costs.
According to local reports, the National Bank of Ethiopia issued a tender in mid — 2024 for a pilot run worth 10 billion birr, asking domestic security printers to bid on note-making equipment and secure paper. If the trial succeeds, the central bank plans to phase out contracts with European firms that have supplied banknotes since 2006.
Official statements indicate the shift is driven by repeated foreign — exchange shortages that have delayed past print orders and by a desire to keep the design of new security features secret.
Sources close to the matter said the government also hopes local production will ease pressure on hard — currency reserves, roughly four fifths of which are committed to dollar-denominated debt payments.
The move follows Ethiopia’s entry into BRICS in October 2024.
Government communiqués note that membership gives Addis Ababa access to Russian and Chinese banknote technology partners, potentially replacing reliance on German and British printers. Independent observers say the country still lacks confirmed supplies of intaglio presses, micro-optic threads and specialist cotton-linen paper.
Regional officials confirmed the first home — made notes remain in testing, with no public date for circulation.
Authorities are simultaneously negotiating a new program with the International Monetary Fund that is expected to call for greater exchange — rate flexibility. Further details on cost, timeline and technical partners were not immediately available.
The central bank has not released samples of the pilot notes or said when domestic printing could become routine.
Source: Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
