What Country Has Gold in Africa? A Breakdown of Key Producing Nations
Gold is found in more than 20 countries across Africa, but production is heavily concentrated in a handful of nations with favorable geology, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. As of 2026, the continent produces nearly 950 tonnes of gold annually, with the top countries accounting for over 80% of total output.
Top Gold-Producing Countries in Africa
1. Ghana
- Annual Production: ~190 tonnes
- Key Regions: Ashanti, Western Region (Obuasi, Tarkwa)
- Geology: Birimian Greenstone Belt—high-grade, near-surface deposits
- Export System: Transparent gold export from Ghana via the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC)
Image: Gold mining site in western Ghana
2. South Africa
- Annual Production: ~150 tonnes
- Key Regions: Witwatersrand Basin (Gauteng, North West)
- Geology: World’s largest known reserves (~2,000+ tonnes remaining)
- Infrastructure: Home to the Rand Refinery, one of the largest gold refineries globally
3. Mali
- Annual Production: ~120 tonnes
- Key Mines: Loulo, Fekola, Sadiola
- Status: Stable large-scale operations; improving ESG compliance
4. Burkina Faso
- Annual Production: ~115 tonnes
- Key Mines: Houndé, Mana, Karma
- Note: High output despite security challenges in the Sahel region
5. Tanzania
- Annual Production: ~50 tonnes
- Key Mines: Geita, North Mara, Bulyanhulu
- Regulation: Improved mining code has attracted investment
6. Côte d’Ivoire
- Annual Production: ~45 tonnes
- Trend: Fast-growing sector with new discoveries in the Birimian Belt
7. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Estimated Production: 35–80 tonnes*
- Risk: Significant informal mining; high due diligence requirements
- Potential: Vast but underexplored resources
*Official figures understate true output due to smuggling.
8. Zimbabwe, Sudan, and South Sudan
- Zimbabwe: ~30 tonnes – greenstone belt deposits
- Sudan: ~25–30 tonnes – Nubian Shield geology; mostly exported via UAE
- South Sudan: ~5–10 tonnes – emerging compliant source under new mining law
Other Countries with Minor or Emerging Production
- Ethiopia, Niger, Guinea, Senegal, Namibia, Morocco
- These have active exploration or small-scale output but limited commercial scale
Africa Gold Reserve’s Operational Focus
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South Africa, Africa Gold Reserve sources gold exclusively from:
- Ghana
- South Africa
- South Sudan
The company works only with licensed mines, registered small-scale miners, and government-authorized sellers, ensuring full compliance with OECD Due Diligence Guidance and LBMA Responsible Gold standards.
Conclusion
While gold exists in many African countries, Ghana, South Africa, Mali, and Burkina Faso dominate production. For institutional buyers, the priority is not just location—but verifiable, ethical sourcing. Partnering with a professional exporter like Africa Gold Reserve ensures secure access to gold from Africa’s most reliable and compliant jurisdictions.
Website: africa-gold.com
Email: sales@africa-gold.com
