A newly released report by Swiss-based NGO SwissAid has implicated Kenya in a sprawling regional gold smuggling network that stretches across South Sudan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report, published in late May, alleges that Kenya has become a central hub for the illicit transit and re-export of unregulated gold, primarily bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially Dubai.
The findings suggest that for over a decade, Kenya has played a significant role in facilitating the movement of smuggled gold across East and Central Africa. Despite officially declaring just 672 kilograms of gold exports in 2023, SwissAid estimates that more than two tons of gold leave the country annually without declaration.
“Part of the gold that is smuggled out of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and, to a lesser extent, Ethiopia, and possibly Sudan, passes through Kenya before being re-exported,” the report states. Most of this gold, it adds, ends up in Dubai, where it is declared upon arrival, making its visibility apparent through UAE import statistics.
SwissAid’s investigation, which included interviews with industry insiders and the analysis of government trade records, uncovered a pattern of discrepancies. In many years since 2019, the value of gold reportedly imported from Kenya by other countries has exceeded Kenya’s actual gold production and declared imports. This strongly suggests both inbound and outbound illicit gold flows.
The report also highlights that almost all gold extracted or imported into Kenya is re-exported, much of it undeclared and likely originating from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations. While licensed medium-scale mines in Kenya send their output to refineries in South Africa and Switzerland, the bulk of unregulated gold is smuggled to the UAE, with possible secondary destinations including Uganda and Tanzania.
The situation is further complicated by mounting regional tensions and emerging reports of covert gold transactions involving Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These reports allege that Sudanese gold is being trafficked via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with Dubai as the end destination.
In light of these revelations, Kenyan authorities are moving to respond. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated Mining Police Unit and push for a regional certification framework for gold and precious stones, measures aimed at curbing illicit flows and increasing transparency in the sector.
SwissAid’s findings have raised serious questions about the integrity of regional gold supply chains and the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms. As Kenya positions itself as a key economic player in East Africa, the pressure is mounting for swift reforms to address the country’s role in the opaque and lucrative trade in conflict minerals.
Written By Rodney Mbua
