Zimbabwe Launches $100B Bill

Zimbabwe will introduce a new $100 billion bank note tomorrow to offset rampant inflation—a seemingly exorbitant sum that may not even buy a loaf of bread. The official annual inflation rate in the country tops 2,200,200%, but independent estimates peg the actual rate at many times higher. Denominations have grown exponentially since the central bank introduced a $10 million bill in January.

Zimbabwe—once one of the wealthiest countries in Africa—now faces an 80% poverty rate, shortages of basic goods, and continuing post-election violence. The country's central bank governor announced that the new bills, dubbed agro-checks, would help consumers, but most are skeptical. "Nowadays, for my expenses a day, I need about $500 billion," one resident told the BBC. (More Zimbabwe stories.)