Cape Verde’s Cesária Évora Banknote Nominated for Best in Africa
Cape Verde’s 2,000-escudo banknote, a stunning tribute to the legendary “Barefoot Diva” Cesária Évora, has been officially nominated for the prestigious “Best African Banknote in Circulation” award for 2026. The Bank of Cape Verde (BCV) announced the nomination today, celebrating it as a major milestone for the nation’s artistic and technical craftsmanship.
A Tribute to a Cultural Icon
Issued in 2024, the banknote honors the late Cesária Évora, the world-renowned singer who became the global face of Cape Verdean music. The central bank described Évora, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 70, as an “indispensable figure of Cape Verdean culture and an ambassador beyond borders.”
The BCV stated that the nomination by IBNS Mosaic constitutes “important international recognition” of the currency’s design quality. This isn’t the first time the singer’s image has captured international attention; a 2014 issue also featuring Évora previously received an award from the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA).
The Road to the Title
The competition is organized by IBNS Mosaic, an affiliate of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). Founded in 1961, the IBNS is a global organization dedicated to the study and collection of paper money, and its annual awards recognize the most aesthetically pleasing and technologically advanced banknotes across the African continent.
Public participation will help determine if the Cape Verdean escudo takes home the top prize. Voting is set to begin on Monday, June 15. Interested participants can cast their vote by registering on the official IBNS Mosaic website.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
