Kenya’s Gold Exports to Dubai Double to Sh8.19 Billion Amid Smuggling Concerns
NAIROBI – Kenya exported 1,217.79 kilograms of gold worth Sh8.19 billion to Dubai in the second quarter of 2025, nearly doubling the total from the previous year, according to recent data. The substantial increase has surpassed official production estimates and has drawn attention from industry analysts and watchdog groups.
Officials have attributed the surge to ongoing mining reforms that have formalized artisanal mining operations in regions such as Migori and Kakamega. A rise in global gold prices has also been cited as a contributing factor to the increased export value.
However, the dramatic rise has also raised red flags. Reports from organizations including SwissAid and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime suggest that Kenya is increasingly being used as a transit hub for gold smuggled from conflict zones in neighboring countries, particularly Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This has sparked concerns that the exports could be linked to illicit financing and tax evasion.
The issue has also garnered attention on social media, with financial commentators noting the anomaly. One user, Moe from @moneyacademyKE, posted on X: “Kenya has strangely increased gold exports… making Nairobi a transit hub for smuggled gold.”
As the story develops, authorities are expected to face increasing pressure to scrutinize the origin and documentation of the gold exports to ensure they are not fueling conflict or illegal financial flows.
This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time.
About The Author
