On March 5, 2025, the Bank of Namibia officially unveiled a new commemorative 60 Namibian dollar (N$60) polymer banknote dedicated to Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob, the third president of Namibia (March 21, 2015 – February 4, 2024), who devoted 60 years of his life to serving the country, its democracy, economic progress, and social inclusion. According to the bank’s press release, the note was introduced into circulation on March 17, 2025, as a symbolic tribute to his legacy.

The banknote’s design is striking in its symbolism and innovation. Measuring 140 x 70 mm, it features a color palette of brown, green, and purple hues. The front showcases the facade of the Independence Memorial Museum in Windhoek, a portrait of Hage Geingob, and a crowd symbolizing national unity. The bank’s logo, rendered in SPARK Live technology, shifts from purple to bronze, while Geingob’s profile in a CCL Secure G-Switch window adds a modern touch. The reverse depicts Geingob holding a football cup during his inauguration on March 21, 2015, at Independence Stadium, alongside elements reflecting his contributions to sustainable energy: wind turbines, a green hydrogen tank, biomass, and solar panels. Namibia’s coat of arms and another view of the museum facade complete the design. The note features a simulated solid security thread and a watermark with the BoN logo.

This banknote bears a unique serial number with the prefix HGG in honor of Geingob and the signature of Governor Johannes !Gawaxab. It serves as both legal tender and a collector’s item, printed as a one-time issue. Its 60-dollar denomination symbolizes Geingob’s 60 years of service, encompassing his fight for independence, exile, and leadership in independent Namibia.

The Bank of Namibia launched an extensive public awareness campaign about the note’s features before its circulation. It includes advanced security elements like the microtext "Forward Ever, Backward Never, 60," tactile dots for the visually impaired, and hidden details visible under UV light, such as the Namibian flag and the number "60." Printed on De La Rue’s Safeguard® polymer substrate, the note boasts durability and resistance to counterfeiting.

During the unveiling ceremony, President Nangolo Mbumba called the banknote an embodiment of Geingob’s motto: "No one should feel left out of the Namibian house." He emphasized that it immortalizes his vision of economic growth and prosperity for all. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah added that the note should inspire Namibians to uphold unity and diversity, as Geingob and nation founder Sam Nujoma aspired.

This event marks another step in the Bank of Namibia’s tradition of honoring key figures and milestones through currency. In 2020, it issued its first commemorative N$30 note for the 30th anniversary of independence, and a new currency series with updated security features is planned for June 2025. The N$60 note has already sparked interest among collectors, and its introduction into circulation on March 17, 2025, became a landmark event for Namibia and Africa as a whole.

Vitalii Cherniuk

CEO World Banknote Store Global

IBNS member 13299-R