The kwanza (sign: Kz; ISO 4217 code: AOA) is the currency of Angola.

The currency derives its name from the Kwanza River (which is also written as: Cuanza, Coanza, Quanza).

In 1990, the novo kwanza was introduced, with the ISO 4217 code AON.

In 1991, the word novo was dropped from the issue of regular banknotes for 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000, 100,000 and 500,000 kwanzas.

Although it suffered early on from high inflation, its value became stable until 2016, when the currency started devaluing again.

[3][4] Coins in 10 and 50 cêntimo denominations are no longer used, as the values are minuscule.

Coins of this series lost their legal tender status on 1 January 2015.

The new banknotes have a portrait of the first president of Angola, António Agostinho Neto.

[citation needed] The Angolan kwanza banknotes have been produced by De La Rue in England.