KENYA IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR TRANSIT POINT IN AFRICA'S ILLEGAL GOLD TRADE

Kenya is fast becoming a central player in Africa’s illicit gold trade, with the volume of smuggled gold passing through the country far exceeding official records.
Kenya has declared gold exports of only 6,469 kilograms over the last 10 years. However, global trade figures show that other countries received more than 60,000 kilograms from Kenya which is nearly 10 times the official figures, suggesting the country is a major conduit for gold smuggled from conflict-affected nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, and Ethiopia where governance is weak and armed groups control artisanal mining.
Most gold smuggled out of Kenya is shipped to Dubai, a global gold trade hub declared for import. Other destinations include India and South Africa.
In 2023, Kenya claimed it produced 410 kilograms of gold and imported 385 kilograms. Yet, United Nations data reveals that over 9,600 kilograms were exported, a massive gap. The Kenya Revenue Authority only recorded 652 kilograms in exports, leaving more than 8,000 kilograms, valued at around Sh112 billion which was unaccounted for and likely smuggled across porous borders.
Gold from informal artisanal mining in counties such as Migori, Kakamega, and Narok is often sold off, the record through illegal dealers, further complicating the data gap. Illicit revenues are believed to finance criminal and terrorist networks and enable money laundering. Though Kenya introduced legislation in 2023 to formalize the sector, it has yet to take effect.