CBK receives global award for appealing Kenya banknotes

CBK receives global award for appealing Kenya banknotes

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) was awarded for the new banknotes released in August 2024 at the High Security Printing – Europe, Middle East and Africa (HSP-EMEA) Conference for 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. 

The award for the “Best New Series” went to CBK, which, in August 2024, released an updated series of the Kenyan shilling (KES), having taken steps to guarantee security of supply by procuring the new banknotes from Giesecke+Devrient after discontinuing its partnership with De La Rue.

In a statement on Tuesday, CBK said the new notes were recognised as best in the new series category at the High-Security Printing -Europe, Middle East and Africa (HSP-EMEA) conference in Switzerland.

The banknotes were recognised for their enhanced security features against counterfeiting.

The full series comprise of Ksh.1,000, Ksh.500, Ksh.200, Ksh.100 and Ksh.50 banknotes, with the same design as the notes they replace. They have enhanced security in the form of Louisenthal's Rolling Star® i+ thread on each of the denominations. 

The three higher denominations utilise the ZigZag dynamic movement effect, while the two lower denominations utilise the crystal effect

"Additionally, the banknotes feature the use of iridescent bands with UV for each of the denominations, while dual colour fluorescence is also maintained as a secondary level security element against counterfeiting," CBK stated.

Governor Kamau Thugge, on his part, expressed that the award was a sign of confidence in the currency notes, adding that the latest technology was used in the new banknotes.

"This award places Kenya’s banknotes at the forefront in terms of appeal, security, and world-class status. By leveraging cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting measures, we are ensuring Kenyans can trust the integrity of their currency," he remarked.

CBK unveiled improved new banknotes in 2014 with enhanced security features that can be seen and felt.

For instance, the new notes have distinct lines on the edge of the notes; Ksh50 notes have 1 bar while Ksh100 notes have 2 bars.

Likewise, the new series also features a watermark of a lion’s head, the text CBK and the value of the banknote.

The High Security Printing EMEA award ceremony took place on February 4, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, and brought together key players in the security document industry, focusing on government-issued documents such as currency, fiduciary documents, excise stamps, ID cards. 

It also focused on e-passports, visas, vehicle documents, and licences, with a particular emphasis on banknotes and emerging ID and travel document technologies.

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CBK Kenyan banknote global award

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