African Gold Smuggling Network

By Daily Mail Reporter

A damning new report by SwissAid has exposed Kenya as a major hub in a vast gold smuggling operation that spans East and Central Africa. Despite officially declaring just 672 kilograms of gold exports in 2023, investigators estimate that over two tonnes of illicit gold pass through the country annually—revealing a staggering gulf between official records and the reality on the ground.

The report highlights how Kenya’s strategic location, combined with porous borders and weak enforcement, has turned the nation into a key transit corridor for smuggled gold originating from conflict-ridden neighbors such as South Sudanand the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Once across the Kenyan border, the gold is laundered and exported—often under the guise of legitimate trade—to international markets, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) frequently cited as a primary destination.

SwissAid warns that this underground trade not only deprives governments across the region of vital tax revenue, but also fuels conflict, corruption, and organized crime—particularly in unstable regions where gold mining is controlled by armed groups.

Key findings include:

• Kenya’s undeclared gold exports dwarf official figures, pointing to a sophisticated smuggling network.

• The country’s ineffective border controls and limited regulatory oversight have made it a weak link in the regional gold supply chain.

• International buyers, particularly in the Gulf region, risk laundering conflict gold under the appearance of legal trade.

The illicit trade has far-reaching consequences, not only undermining governance and economic development, but also exacerbating violence and insecurity in countries already grappling with fragile political environments.

SwissAid is calling for stronger enforcement, greater transparency, and international cooperation to stem the tide of illegal gold flowing through East Africa. Experts say that unless urgent action is taken, the region will continue to lose billions in revenue while armed groups profit from the chaos.

“This is not just about smuggling—it’s about the collapse of systems that should protect people and resources,”said one analyst familiar with the report. “Without coordinated intervention, the trade in illicit gold will only deepen the region’s problems.”

The Kenyan government has yet to respond publicly to the findings.