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Report: UAE is the Main Destination for Annual Billions of Dollars in Gold Smuggled from Africa

Feb 4, 2026 February 4, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

A report highlights that the UAE is the primary destination for billions of dollars in gold smuggled from Africa, particularly from Ghana. The report aims to increase transparency in the gold trade and improve conditions for local miners. This issue is significant as it underscores the illicit trade routes affecting economies and governance in Africa.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The report calls attention to the significant issue of gold smuggling from Africa, urging for increased transparency and better conditions for miners.

👥 Key Players

Swiss Aid MENTIONED
Aid and development group
"They conducted the report highlighting the smuggling issue, aiming to increase transparency in the gold trade."
Ivan Schulz MENTIONED
Author of the report
"He is a key figure in communicating the report's findings and advocating for improved conditions for African miners."

📰 What Happened

A report by Swiss Aid reveals that billions of dollars worth of gold are smuggled out of Africa annually, primarily to the UAE, Turkey, and Switzerland. The report highlights the need for transparency and better conditions for miners.

  • Over $30 billion worth of gold was smuggled from Africa in 2022.
  • The UAE received approximately 405 tons of undeclared gold production over a decade.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: While not directly impacting Iran, the issue of illicit trade routes can resonate with Iran's own challenges regarding smuggling and economic sanctions.
🌍 Regional: The report underscores the vulnerabilities in regional trade and governance, affecting economic stability.
🌐 International: The findings highlight the need for international cooperation to address illicit trade and improve supply chain transparency.

📚 Background

Gold smuggling from Africa is a longstanding issue, impacting local economies and contributing to governance challenges. The UAE's role as a major gold trade hub makes it a focal point in addressing these concerns.

Illicit trade Gold mining industry
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The report is from a Swiss-based aid group, likely aiming for neutrality and focused on development and transparency.

A new report reveals that billions of dollars worth of gold are smuggled out of Africa each year, with most of it reaching the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Switzerland. The report published by 'Swiss Aid', a Swiss-based aid and development group, states that over $30 billion worth of gold was smuggled out of the African continent in 2022. In 2022, Ghana was the largest gold producer in Africa. The report indicates that the UAE is the primary destination for smuggled gold, with approximately 405 tons of undeclared production arriving there, valued at an estimated $115 billion over a ten-year period from 2012 to 2022. The authors of the report aim to clarify the gold trade in Africa and pressure industry stakeholders to take further actions in tracking gold reserves and making supply chains more responsible. Ivan Schulz, one of the report's authors, told the Associated Press, 'We hope the findings of the report will help improve the living conditions of local people and the working conditions of miners across Africa.'

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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