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27 July 2026
In line with efforts to boost Southern African Development Community (SADC) trade and financial integration, Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Central Bank Governors (CCBG), and Manuel Tiago Dias, Governor of the Banco Nacional de Angola, today formally announced the introduction of the Angolan kwanza as a settlement currency in the SADC real-time gross settlement (SADC-RTGS) system.
The kwanza’s inclusion supports regional payments modernisation efforts and aligns with the Group of Twenty’s (G20) cross-border payment goals of reducing costs, increasing speed and improving efficiency in cross-border transactions.
The Angolan kwanza is the second settlement currency to be introduced in the SADC-RTGS system, which has settled transactions exclusively in South African rand since its inception in 2013. There are currently 15 countries participating in the SADC-RTGS system.
By enabling direct settlement in kwanza, participants transacting in the currency can reduce foreign exchange conversion requirements, helping to lower transaction costs for participants and their customers. The intention is to onboard additional regional currencies, such as the Botswana pula, in due course.
The enablement of a multi-currency capability in the SADC-RTGS system is one of the strategic initiatives to strengthen regional financial integration, promote greater use of local and regional currencies in cross-border trade and reduce reliance on non-SADC currencies.
A more diverse set of settlement currencies in the system makes it easier for businesses and customers to transact across SADC countries in local currencies. Faster settlement can also help businesses manage cash flow more efficiently and access funds more quickly when trading across the region.
