Morocco issues a commemorative 100-dirham banknote – AFCON 2025 immortalized on national currency
Rabat – To mark its role as host of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), the Central Bank of Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib, has officially released a new 100-dirham commemorative banknote with a completely original design. The note is both legal tender and a symbolic work of art, reflecting Morocco’s sporting ambition, cultural depth, and continental stature.
AFCON 2025 takes place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, bringing together the strongest national teams from across Africa. The issuance of this commemorative banknote not only celebrates Africa’s premier football tournament, but also conveys a broader message of continental unity, national pride, and global openness.
A Multicolored Design Blending Modernity and Tradition
The banknote measures 144 × 70 mm, is printed on paper substrate, and produced by Dar As-Sikkah, Morocco’s state security printer. Its dominant palette—blue, orange, purple, yellow, and green—creates a vibrant and festive visual identity aligned with the spirit of sport, while maintaining the dignity expected of national currency.
Obverse: Nation – Continent – Sport
The obverse features a finely engraved portrait of King Mohammed VI, reaffirming continuity in Morocco’s banknote tradition and symbolizing stability and national unity. Nearby appears the Moroccan coat of arms, representing sovereignty, history, and state authority.
In the background, the outline map of Africa occupies a central place, underscoring AFCON’s continental scope and Morocco’s deep connection to Africa. Surrounding it are elegant Moroccan arabesque motifs, rooting the design in the kingdom’s rich Islamic artistic heritage.
A striking highlight is the stylized football printed in purple OVI (optically variable ink), which shifts color under light—evoking motion, energy, and the universal appeal of football. The gold OVI “100” denomination serves both as a visual focal point and a security feature.
Also depicted is the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, one of the key venues of AFCON 2025, symbolizing Morocco’s modern sports infrastructure and readiness to host major international events. The recurring hexagonal elements subtly reference the geometry of a football while enhancing graphic security.
Reverse: African Football in Motion
The reverse side opens onto a dynamic football scene featuring the interior of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, viewed from the stands toward the pitch. Silhouetted football players chase the ball, capturing the speed, passion, and competitive spirit shared by millions across the continent.
At the heart of the composition is a large football encircling the map of Africa, surrounded by five-pointed stars that convey celebration, achievement, and hope. Text appears in three languages—Arabic, French, and Tamazight (Tifinagh), reflecting Morocco’s multicultural and multilingual identity.
Traditional arabesque patterns blend with African decorative elements, creating a visual dialogue between national heritage and continental unity, past and present.
Advanced Security Features
The banknote incorporates a windowed security thread with a gold-to-green color shift, featuring demetallized five-pointed stars, the abbreviation “DH”, and the denomination “100.” When held to the light, a watermark portrait of King Mohammed VI and an electrotype “100” become visible. Additional elements—see-through registration devices, microprinting, and color-shifting inks—provide robust protection against counterfeiting.
A Message Beyond Its Face Value
More than a means of payment, the AFCON 2025 commemorative 100-dirham banknote serves as a form of cultural diplomacy. Through images of the monarch, stadium, players, and the African continent, it tells the story of a confident, forward-looking Morocco, firmly anchored in Africa and ready to play a central role on the international stage.
For collectors, it is a highly desirable commemorative issue; for the public, it is a daily reminder that football is more than a sport—it is a bridge between cultures, a source of shared pride, and a unifying force for an entire continent.
With this banknote, AFCON 2025 is not only remembered on Moroccan pitches, but preserved in the economic life and cultural memory of the nation, circulating through the hands of millions as a lasting symbol of Africa’s game and Morocco’s moment.