All but six of the 79 series of banknotes issued bear the image of Mobutu Sese Seko.

[1] Two distinct currencies existed: zaire (1967–1993, ZRZ), and nouveau zaïre (1993–1998, ZRN).

The zaire was subdivided into 100 makuta (singular: likuta, symbol: "K", initially and coincidentally equal to one Belgian franc), each of 100 sengi (symbol: "s", initially equal to one Belgian centime).

The currency continued to lose value, with the exchange rates for one U.S. dollar shown below at certain time periods:[3] In 1967, coins were introduced by the National Bank of Congo in denominations of 10 sengi, 1 likuta and 5 makuta, with the lower two denominations in aluminium and the highest in cupro-nickel.

This currency was only issued in banknote form and suffered from extremely high inflation to its predecessor until 1997.

All of the new zaire notes feature a portrait of Mobutu Sésé Seko in uniform with cap.