Another African country tightens grip on its gold after seizing a shipment worth $520,000 as Africa battles $30 billion in undeclared exports
African countries are stepping up efforts to stop commercially important minerals such as gold from leaving the continent without generating fair value for their economies.
Black News 
African countries are stepping up efforts to stop commercially important minerals such as gold from leaving the continent without generating fair value for their economies.
- African countries are increasing efforts to prevent valuable minerals like gold from leaving without generating fair economic value.
- Tanzania has intensified anti-smuggling operations, recently intercepting gold worth about $520,000 and increasing surveillance at mining regions and borders.
- Gold exports have surged in Tanzania, making up nearly half of the country's goods exports, which has amplified the need to combat smuggling.
- Other African producers such as Ghana, Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso are also tightening state control over gold exports through regulations, task forces, and restrictions on raw mineral exports.
Like several African gold-producing countries, Tanzania has intensified its crackdown on mineral smuggling and revenue losses, intercepting gold valued at TSh1.345 billion, about $520,000.
Tanzania intensifies anti-smuggling operations
According to local reports, the Tanzania Police Force, Mining Commission, security agencies and the Task Force on Combating Mineral Smuggling conducted the operation on July 1, 2026.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Steven Kiruswa said verification found that the consignment contained 163 pieces of gold weighing 4,434.66 grams.
“Some people continue attempting to bypass official channels, but the government remains committed to protecting the country’s mineral resources and ensuring that the sector benefits Tanzanians,” Kiruswa said.
Another African country tightens grip on its gold after seizing a shipment worth $520,000 as Africa battles $30 billion in undeclared exports
Between July 2025 and March 2026, the government reportedly seized minerals valued at TSh3.31 billion in 55 incidents nationwide.
Tanzania has also established more than 40 mineral markets and buying centres to provide regulated trading points for miners, brokers and dealers.
Gold’s growing role in Tanzania’s economy
The crackdown comes as gold assumes a larger role in Tanzania’s economy, with the central bank buying nearly 28 tonnes worth an estimated $3.7 billion over the past 18 months to strengthen foreign exchange reserves and support the shilling.
According to TICGL, gold exports rose 46.7% to $5.53 billion in the year to May 2026, supported by elevated global prices. Gold accounted for 47.6% of Tanzania’s goods exports, up from 38.2% four years earlier.
Over the same period, gold exports grew by 105.6%, about 2.7 times faster than non-gold exports, increasing pressure on authorities to protect the sector from smuggling and revenue losses.
Gold remains central to Tanzania’s export earnings, but persistent smuggling has weakened revenue collection and enabled transnational networks to move undeclared minerals through regional and international markets.
African gold producers tighten state control
Notably, Tanzania’s crackdown is not coincidental. A 2024 analysis estimated that more than $30 billion in gold left Africa undeclared in 2022, underscoring the revenue challenge facing the continent despite its position as a major global supplier.
A 2025 SWISSAID report found that Ghana alone recorded an $11.4 billion gap between declared gold exports and corresponding imports over five years, prompting Africa’s largest gold producer, to create GoldBod to oversee purchases, assaying and exports from licensed small-scale miners.
The country has also restricted foreign participation in the artisanal gold trade and deployed a security-backed task force to combat smuggling.
Similarly, Mali established a state body in July to regulate artisanal gold trading after authorities identified major differences between its declared exports and the volumes recorded by importing countries.
The move builds on reforms that have increased taxes, expanded state participation and strengthened government oversight of mining contracts.
Meanwhile, Guinea has banned raw gold exports and directed producers to refine and certify the mineral locally before shipment.
Burkina Faso has also suspended some artisanal gold export permits and transferred several mining assets to state control as it seeks a larger share of the sector’s returns.
