Africa’s gold wealth is undeniable. From the historic goldfields of South Africa to the emergent markets of Uganda and Tanzania, the continent offers abundant opportunity—and complexity—for buyers. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or newcomer, knowing where and how to buy gold safely and legally is essential. This guide introduces ten prime locations across Africa, highlighting what makes each one uniquely attractive—from regulatory frameworks and purity standards to logistical ease and dealer reliability.

Kampala, Uganda

Why Kampala?

• Growing Regional Hub: Uganda re‑exports much of the gold mined in Eastern DR Congo, making Kampala a central marketplace for both raw and refined gold.
• Competitive Pricing: Benefiting from lower production costs and efficient trading systems, prices tend to be lower compared to global benchmarks .
• Strong Export Policies: Uganda has streamlined export regulations, simplifying cross-border deals with proper documentation.

Where to Buy:

• Nakivubo Market & Nakasero markets host licensed dealers.
• Entebbe Gold Refinery offers high-purity bars with defined assay standards.
• Registered exporters like Gold Price in Africa manage end-to-end compliance.

Caution:

• Verify licensing—recent reports suggest many unlicensed operators and risks of scams (“Uganda is on a par with Nigeria for scammers” said one Redditor).

Accra, Ghana

Why Accra?

• Ghana, historically known as the “Gold Coast,” is Africa’s second-largest gold producer. It offers transparent regulatory oversight through the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
• The latest 2025 initiative secures 20% of gold output from nine major mining companies—including Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti—to strengthen reserves and stabilize the cedi.

Where to Buy:

• Makola Market in central Accra is a bustling hub of licensed dealers .
• Industrial sources include Gold Coast Refinery Ltd. and PMMC-certified exporters.
• Mining towns like Tarkwa and Obuasi offer direct access to freshly mined gold, often at lower margins.

Key Tips:

• Always request official documentation (mining invoices, assay certificates).
• Work with dealers registered under PMMC—this offers additional credibility.

Nairobi Kenya

Nairobi, especially Eastleigh, is a well-known regional gold trading hub.

• Well-established Eastleigh gold market with transparent rates.
• Business licenses and regulated local operations are common.
• Caution: Always verify assay certificates and cross-check with spot rates online.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg—“The City of Gold”—offers some of the most reliable markets globally.
Key Suppliers:

• Rand Refinery in Germiston—Africa’s largest bullion refiner.
• South African Gold Coin Exchange in Sandton—specializing in coins and bullion.
• Gold Reef City Mint—veteran private mint in Ormonde.

Buying Tips

• Insist on assay certificates (99.9%+).
• Dealers must comply with South African Reserve Bank (SARB) rules.
• Compare prices: Johannesburg’s market has negligible premiums due to high competition and refined supply.

Dar es Salaam / Mwanza, Tanzania

• Dar es Salaam, particularly Samora Avenue, has licensed traders like Kilosa Kwetu Trading and INPIN Africa.
• Mwanza, near Lake Victoria’s goldfields, hosts active artisanal markets; however, traceability is critical.

Best Practices

• Always transact in NHC House under MADINI supervision.
• Demand full export documentation and verify assays at government facilities.
• Check lode history—for example, Shanta Gold’s regional mining enhances traceability.

Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo

Bukavu hosts emerging formal gold operations such as Primera Gold, a joint govt–UAE initiative.

Local Structure

• Artisanal miners supply to local jewellers and cooperatives under formal permits
• Bullion is processed onsite at controlled facilities

Buying Advice

• Purchase only from government-approved cooperatives.
• Use spectrometer assay readings (~96–98%) and demand lab certification.
• Beware informal smuggling from armed groups—buy through official export channels.

Bamako & Morila, Mali

• Bamako is Mali’s trade hub, anchored by certified operators like GOLD-Mali SARL .
• Morila, a major gold mine (Firefinch 80%, government 20%), illustrates potential supply reliability .

Advice

• Work with licensed collectors who enforce mercury-free practices.
• Use Morila’s output as underlying supply proof.
• Stay alert to government policy changes—Mali’s export tax reforms have impacted trade stability.

Yaoundé / Douala, Cameroon

Cameroon hosts registered bullion dealers with origins in Ghana, Mali, and Cameroon.

Dealers to Watch

• “Bullion Gold & Silver” listings in Yaoundé and Douala—offering dust and bars
• Verified firms: Chariot Co Ltd., Cam Mine Group, Intercontinental Miners, TBE Precious Metals.

Checklist

• Verify registration, assay processes, and government oversight.
• Compare regionally: Cameroon’s premium is moderate due to proximity to strong sources.

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca’s Central Market and souqs like Kissariat el Menjra and El Haffari are tourist- and trader-friendly gold destinations.

Market Characteristics

• Primarily 18K jewellery, less bullion-focused.
• Buyers can negotiate unique pieces, but must verify carat purity and pricing.

Buyers’ Tips

• Ascertain karat via XRF testing; insist on at least 21–22K for investment gold.
• Analyze spot vs. pricing gaps: Moroccan sellers may charge coin-level premiums for jewellery.
• For bullion, work via licensed importers listed on industry platforms.

Assay Lab Directory

Country (Lab)	Turnaround Time	Approx. Cost
South Africa (Rand)	24 hrs	~$50–100
Kenya (private labs)	48 hrs	~$30–50
Tanzania (gov labs)	3–5 days	~$20–40
Mali (Gold Mali SARL)	2 days	Free estimates
DRC (Numbi	48 hrs)

Practical Tools & Checklist for Buying Gold in Africa

1. Trader Verification Checklist
   • ✅ Valid business registration/extraction licenses
   • ✅ Third-party assay certificate (LBMA-standard or government body)
   • ✅ Documented traceability (mining origin, cooperative, export license)
   • ✅ Secure, insured logistics (CIF/DDP services)
   • ✅ Online rate verification (COMEX, LBMA, local feeds)
2. Currency and Spot Price Calculator
   • Allows users to enter local currency, weight, spot, and apply premium to estimate total cost.
3. Assay Lab Comparison Table
   • Lists recognized labs by country and their average turnaround and costs.
4. Deal Flow Diagram
   • Outlines the typical purchase steps—from inquiry → due diligence → assay → shipment → delivery receipt.

Final Thoughts

These ten markets offer structured and legitimate channels for buying gold across Africa—from formal refineries in Johannesburg to artisanal markets in DR Congo. The key to safe, confident transactions lies in due diligence, document verification, purity assurance, and secure logistics.

Choose places and dealers based on your goals—investment-grade (Johannesburg, Casablanca), traceable artisanal (Bukavu), or high-volume commercial (Dar es Salaam, Bamako). Use the tools above to manage risk and streamline your gold acquisition.

Citations

Content throughout reflects current conditions and sources from our research, including:

• Nairobi dealers & Eastleigh market.
• Dar es Salaam licensed trading & anti-scam guidance
• Bukavu’s legal artisanal gold movement
• Mali’s licensed buyer GOLD-Mali.
• Cameroon dealers from TradeIndia listings.
• Casablanca markets & carat verification warnings
• Johannesburg refineries and dealer guidance