Sudan is positioning itself to become a dominant force in the African gold market, announcing ambitious plans to officially confirm its reserves could exceed a staggering 2,000 metric tonnes. The new projection, significantly higher than the previous official estimate of 1,500 tonnes, is based on promising results from ongoing exploration and modern geological surveys.
Moatasem Mohamed Saleh, Secretary-General of Sudan’s Gold Exporters Chamber, revealed that advanced techniques are uncovering the true scale of the country’s geological wealth. “Current estimates give a useful baseline, but they do not capture the full scale of what lies underground,” Saleh told Sudan Tribune. He noted that the nation’s extensive rock belts remain largely unexamined by modern methods such as remote sensing and deep geophysical scanning.
A Sector Plagued by Smuggling
Despite its production potential, Sudan’s gold sector is grappling with significant structural issues. In 2025, the country produced an estimated 70 tonnes of gold. However, official exports for the year amounted to only 20 tonnes. This leaves a staggering 50 tonnes—fully 71.4% of production—that is believed to have been smuggled out or otherwise unrecorded.
This massive disparity highlights critical challenges, including weak regulatory oversight and a lack of market transparency. The government is losing substantial potential revenue and much-needed foreign currency as the majority of gold bypasses formal channels. Saleh emphasized that addressing this through the formalization of the artisanal mining sector is a “critical priority,” not only to curb smuggling and increase public revenues but also to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with unregulated activity.
Challenging Africa’s Old Guard
If the new 2,000-tonne reserve projections are confirmed, Sudan’s standing in Africa would be transformed. While annual production figures determine short-term rankings, a verified reserve base signals long-term potential and is a key factor in attracting foreign investment into mining operations and infrastructure. This would position Sudan to challenge established producers like Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Mali.
A Call for a National Strategy
To capitalize on this historic opportunity, Saleh has called for a coordinated national strategy for the minerals sector. The plan would involve intensifying exploration in under-studied regions, updating Sudan’s geological database, and inviting international companies to operate under clear rules that preserve national sovereignty and ensure local value capture.
With global gold prices hovering at record highs, developing these vast deposits could provide a vital boost to Sudan’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthen its struggling economy. By successfully confirming and developing its resources, Sudan is on a path to not only secure its place as a leading gold powerhouse but to fundamentally reshape its role in Africa’s mineral markets.
