Keypoints:
- UAE imported 29 tonnes of Sudanese gold in 2024
- Figures removed from UN Comtrade database, says Swissaid
- NGO urges tighter controls on conflict gold
THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased its gold imports from Sudan by 70 percent in 2024, according to new findings by Swiss-based NGO Swissaid. The group said the Gulf state imported 29 tonnes of gold from Sudan last year, up from 17 tonnes in 2023, based on United Nations Comtrade data published on October 31.
Swissaid noted that the trade figures were later removed from the UN database, raising questions about transparency in the global gold trade. The NGO, which tracks commodity flows worldwide, said the data highlights how African gold continues to flow through international markets despite conflicts and sanctions.
Gold trade rises amid Sudan’s conflict
Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has displaced millions of civilians and caused widespread devastation.
Despite the violence, Swissaid’s report found that the UAE expanded its imports not only from Sudan but also from other fragile states. In 2024, the Gulf country brought in 18 tonnes of gold from Chad and nine tonnes from Libya.
Overall, the UAE imported 748 tonnes of gold from Africa last year — an 18 percent increase from 2023 — reinforcing its position as the continent’s largest buyer.
UAE denies arming Sudanese militias
The United Nations has repeatedly accused Abu Dhabi of supplying weapons and drones to Sudan’s RSF, allegations that the Emirati authorities have denied. Analysts and human rights groups warn that the RSF’s control of gold mines in Darfur and other regions may be funding its military campaign, deepening the crisis.
Swissaid said that the UAE’s expanding gold trade from African countries affected by conflict raises serious ethical and regulatory issues, particularly concerning traceability and compliance with international norms.
Calls for stronger enforcement of OECD rules
The UAE was the world’s second-largest importer of gold in 2024, behind only Switzerland, Swissaid added. It also purchased Russian-origin gold worth around $5.4 bn during the year.
Although the UAE introduced new legislation in 2023 to align its market with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines on responsible sourcing, Swissaid questioned the effectiveness of these measures.
The NGO called on international regulators and governments to intensify oversight and ensure that gold trading does not finance wars or human rights abuses in Africa.
