The Democratic Republic of the Congo plans to increase the volume of artisanal gold it purchases and exports to 15 metric tons in 2026, while allocating part of the metal to national reserves through the Banque Centrale du Congo. The initiative signals a strategic effort to convert a largely informal gold economy into a regulated financial asset capable of strengthening national wealth.
As Joseph Kazibaziba, CEO of DRC Gold Trading SA, stated, “Everything is being done to ensure we meet our obligations.” His remark reflects a broader national ambition—one that touches on monetary sovereignty, regional security, global bullion markets, and the future of artisanal mining across Africa.
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To curb widespread gold smuggling, the government established DRC Gold Trading SA in 2022, a state enterprise that became fully government-controlled in 2024. The company is mandated to purchase artisanal gold, certify its traceability, and channel exports through legal markets while contributing to national reserves. Authorities estimate that 40–50 metric tons of gold—valued at over $3 billion—are smuggled out of the country annually. A landmark February 2026 agreement with the Central Bank of the Congo now gives the bank priority access to purchased gold at international prices. This marks the country’s first systematic attempt to accumulate physical bullion reserves and ensure that mineral wealth generates tangible domestic economic benefits.
The programme is expanding rapidly. Through DRC Gold Trading SA, the government aims to export 15–18 metric tons of gold in 2026, potentially generating over $2.6 billion in revenue at current market prices. Progress has already begun: exports increased from 200 kilograms in January 2025, and the company is establishing branches across eight provinces, with plans to open ten nationwide trading offices. However, a significant gap remains between formal exports and total production. For example, Maniema Province produced 683.67 kilograms of formally exported artisanal gold, representing only 34% of the country’s recorded artisanal exports, highlighting the scale of the informal market.
The initiative is unfolding in an $82.26 billion economy growing by 5.3%-5.7% annually, where mining dominates national revenue but 56% of citizens still live in poverty. By formalising the artisanal gold trade, the government aims to strengthen monetary sovereignty through central bank bullion reserves, increase fiscal revenues—already accounting for 30% of government income—and provide stable markets and transparent pricing for over 200,000 artisanal miners. The programme also seeks to reduce conflict financing by weakening the links between illegal gold trading and armed groups operating in eastern provinces.
This effort represents the latest phase in the evolution of Congo’s gold economy. Since independence, the sector has shifted from strict state control to widespread informal mining during the economic crisis under Mobutu, followed by reforms under the 2002 Mining Code. Today’s initiative is the most ambitious attempt yet to formalise artisanal mining. Recent developments include the transformation of Primera Gold into the fully state-owned DRC Gold Trading SA, the expansion of official buying centres, and the February 2026 central bank reserve agreement. International attention has also intensified following sanctions against Rwanda’s Gasabo Gold Refinery for allegedly processing illicit Congolese gold.
Despite the country’s immense geological potential—750 metric tons of estimated reserves and Africa’s largest gold mine, Kibali, which produced 674,000 ounces in 2025—the programme faces persistent challenges. Smuggling networks remain entrenched, armed conflicts pose security risks, and traceability and institutional capacity must be strengthened. Nevertheless, rising global gold demand, expanded formalisation efforts, and the creation of national bullion reserves position the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a potential model for African countries seeking to transform artisanal mining. If successful, the initiative could shift mineral wealth away from conflict financing and toward long-term economic stability and monetary sovereignty.
