Zimbabwean citizens will still be required to pay passport fees in US dollars despite the recent introduction of a new currency, according to statements made by the deputy finance minister, David Kuda Mnangagwa, on Monday.
Mnangagwa explained that an existing agreement between the government and the Lithuanian passport printing company, Garsu Pasaulis, dictates that passport fees must be settled in dollars.
Despite the rollout of Zig, the new gold-backed currency aimed at stabilizing Zimbabwe’s struggling economy, the decision to maintain passport fees in dollars has been met with criticism.
Some Zimbabweans argue that this policy underscores a lack of confidence in the newly introduced currency.
“As long as the Zig is not accepted by its issuer, the government, it will soon become worthless,” prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said on X (formerly Twitter).
Last December, the Zimbabwean government raised passport fees from $120 to $200 (£160).
