A new investigation by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime finds that almost all officially declared gold exports from the Central African Republic since 2023 have gone to the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai at the centre of the trade. The report links the flows to armed groups, smuggling networks and foreign actors, and estimates illicit gold revenues at about $180 million per year. It names Russia’s Africa Corps (formerly Wagner) and notes parallels with UN findings on Dubai-linked gold in Sudan.
Dubai Confirmed as Central African Republic’s 'Conflict Gold' Hub — New Report
A major investigation by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime concludes that the United Arab Emirates — and Dubai in particular — has become the primary destination for gold and diamonds exported from the Central African Republic (CAR). The report finds that almost all of CAR’s officially declared gold exports since 2023 were routed to the UAE, echoing United Nations findings about Dubai-linked gold flows from Sudan.
Key Findings
- UAE/Dubai Dominance: Nearly all officially declared CAR gold exports since 2023 were destined for the UAE, concentrating a lucrative trade in Dubai.
- Illicit Revenue Scale: The report estimates illicit gold revenues linked to armed actors and intermediaries at roughly $180 million per year.
- Foreign Footprints: Russian and Rwandan actors have established economic and security footholds in CAR alongside Emirati trading networks and intermediaries.
- Africa Corps Involvement: Russia’s Africa Corps (formerly the Wagner Group) is identified as a major beneficiary of illicit gold flows, benefiting from the trade that helps sustain armed actors and foreign interests in the country.
- Parallels With Sudan: The pattern mirrors UN findings that linked Dubai-based networks to gold flows that financed the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
How The Trade Operates
The investigation traces complex supply chains that combine local armed-group extraction, cross-border smuggling, and trading networks based in Dubai. Intermediaries, informal dealers and foreign partners facilitate the movement and sale of gold and diamonds, often bypassing national controls and international oversight.
Implications
The report warns that these flows provide significant revenue streams for armed groups, foreign mercenary networks and allied foreign interests, perpetuating instability across CAR. It calls for stronger international oversight, improved transparency in trade and supply chains, and more rigorous enforcement to disrupt illicit flows.
Note: The findings are based on official export records and investigative tracing by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and are consistent with separate UN reporting on similar flows in the region.
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