13-part series opening the backroom of gold trading from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and DRC. Real data, real procedures, real costs.
Post 1 · Introduction
AfriRoute Gold: End-to-End Precious Metals Export
Full-cycle supply chains from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and DRC to Dubai & Doha. Core operations overview.
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We handle gold doré (97–98%) and concentrates across the full supply chain.
- Compliance — export permits (TMAA, DGSM, CEEC, iTSCi)
- Quality Control — on-site assay and verification at source
- Safe Logistics — fully insured air freight (Brink's, Malca-Amit)
- Refinery Delivery — direct to LBMA-certified refineries in Dubai & Qatar
No brokering. Route engineering with direct checkpoint control.
Post 2 · Tanzania
🇹🇿 Tanzania: Geology and Reserves. Facts Without the Hype
East Africa's leading producer. ~50–60 tonnes annually. Real entry points for traders explained.
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- Lake Victoria Goldfields — ~70% of industrial production. Grade: 3–5 g/t
- Lake Tanganyika Goldfields — High-grade alluvial. ~1.5–2M artisanal miners
- Central Dodoma Belt — Underexplored, new licences since 2022
Total resources: 80+ million ounces. Major mines (Barrick, AngloGold) closed to external buyers. Primary flow → ASM cooperatives, 400–800 kg/year per cooperative.
Tanzania = predictable geology + developed infrastructure + substantial ASM sector.
Post 3 · Tanzania
🇹🇿 Export Permits and the Doré Strategy
Why professionals choose doré 97–98% over 999.9%. Complete documentation and cost breakdown.
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Documentation required:
- Export Permit (TMAA) — 5–7 days, $500–1,500
- Assay Certificate — accredited laboratory
- Certificate of Origin
- Refinery Certificate (~1 kg bars after smelting)
- Insurance — Brink's or Malca-Amit mandatory
Fees: Royalty 6% + Inspection 1% + Admin $200–400
Why doré wins: Speed (5–7 days to shipment), broad Dubai buyer pool, one final refining instead of two.
Post 4 · Tanzania
🇹🇿 Refineries and Export Preparation
Key refineries, capabilities, financial incentives. Choosing the right facility for doré bullion.
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- MPMR Mwanza — Largest in East Africa, up to 480 kg/day. State-private (25% Stamico)
- Geita Gold Refinery — Primary LBMA candidate. AngloGold Ashanti partnership
- Eyes of Africa (EOA) — Flexible for small/medium batches, Bank of Tanzania program
Tax incentives: Royalty 4% (vs 6%) when selling to BoT. VAT 0% on gold to licensed refineries. 20% domestic refining mandate since July 2024.
Post 5 · Tanzania
🇹🇿 Air Logistics to Dubai & Qatar
Real costs for a $1–2M shipment (~50 kg). Routes, security providers, insurance rates.
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- Primary: Dar es Salaam → Dubai (Emirates Cargo, ~5h 20min)
- Alternative: Dar es Salaam → Doha (Qatar Airways, daily)
Real costs (~50 kg):
- Guarding to airport: $1,200–2,000
- Air freight: $3,500–6,000
- Insurance (All Risks): 0.8–1.5% of value
- Dubai/Doha clearance: $1,000–2,000
Total: 1.2–2.2% of shipment value.
Post 6 · Kenya
🇰🇪 Kenya: Geology and Refining Reality
Output could grow 10–20× from ~1 tonne/year. Key discoveries, geological belts, tax incentives.
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- Isulu-Bushiangala (Shanta Gold): 1.27M oz — largest discovery in Kenya's history
- West Kenya licences: full production from 2026
- Kakamega Greenstone Belt: 1.2M oz, historic since 1930s
Tax: 3% royalty for $50M+ projects. Kilimapesa refinery exports 98% doré to UAE/India. No LBMA accreditation yet, but growing direct export capability.
Post 7 · Kenya
🇰🇪 Kenya: Licensing and Export Realities
Mineral Dealer's Licence — shortest path. Export steps, hidden costs, realistic timelines.
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Mineral Dealer's Licence: 1 year renewable, $5,000–8,000. 6–10 weeks processing (digitized since 2024).
Export steps:
- Purchase from ASM/small miners with origin documentation
- Local processing to 98%+ doré bars
- Export Permit — 7–14 days, 3–5% royalty
- Air freight Nairobi (NBO) → DXB/DOH
Hidden costs: Transport to refinery $1,000–2,000. Licensing + admin $3,000–5,000.
Post 8 · Uganda
🇺🇬 Uganda: Geology and Strategic Gold Status
Gold classified as strategic mineral in 2022. Unique dual export system — Model A vs Model B.
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- Karamoja Region: ~90% of national output. High silver content (natural electrum) — valued by Dubai refiners
- Buhweju District: Rich alluvials up to 10 g/m³, historic since 1920s
Dual Export System:
- Model A (doré 92–98%): Negotiated prices, 0.5% export levy, pricing flexibility
- Model B (999.9%): LBMA pricing reference, ministerial approval required
Note: AGR lost LBMA accreditation in 2022 (OFAC sanctions). Euro Gold Refinery launched 2025 as replacement.
Post 9 · Uganda
🇺🇬 Uganda: Licensing and Export Procedures
Trader-friendly framework. Official 2025 MDL fees, requirements, export steps, key advantages.
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Mineral Dealers Licence (MDL) — 2025:
- Fee: UGX 10,000,000 (~$2,600) + application UGX 500,000
- Requirements: financial resources proof, audited accounts, office premises, URA tax clearance
Export procedure:
- Valid MDL + supplier documentation
- Export Permit from DGSM (per consignment)
- URA clearance and fee payment
- Certificate of Origin + authenticated assay
Key advantage: Negotiated pricing for doré — no state price fixation. 3–5 working days processing.
Post 10 · DRC
🇨🇩 DRC: Geology and High-Risk/High-Reward Regions
~50% of global cobalt, significant gold. Region-by-region security assessment. Viable entry points only.
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- Ituri Province: Government-controlled. 5–15 g/t, 95% native nuggets. Viable with proper security
- North Kivu: Active conflict — NOT recommended for standard operations
- Kibali Mine (Haut-Uélé): Isolated from Kivu conflict. Industrial mining possible
ICGLR RCM mandatory for legal export (not iTSCi — that applies to 3T minerals). Without certification: confiscation risk.
Post 11 · DRC
🇨🇩 DRC Gold Export: Compliance Reality Check
Most regulated process in Central Africa. Full cost breakdown: licences, certifications, taxes, logistics corridor.
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Per-shipment mandatory costs:
- ICGLR RCM validation: $200–500
- CEEC Certificate of Origin: 0.176–1.5% of value
- Royalty: 3.5% + Export tax: ~2%
Logistics: Bukavu/Goma → Kigali → Dubai
- Ground transport (Brink's/PSC): $800–1,500
- Air freight (Qatar Airways): $4,000–6,000/50kg
- Insurance (Lloyd's/AIG): 0.5–1% of value
Why DRC: High-grade doré (90–95%), competitive ASM prices, DRC Gold Refinery launched 2026.
Post 12 · Comparison
Series Summary: East Africa Gold Export Comparison 2026
All 4 countries side-by-side. Licensing timelines, tax burden, logistics costs, entry recommendations.
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Entry-point recommendations:
- New traders: Tanzania — offtake partnerships fastest, clear TMAA rules
- Experienced operators: Uganda — MDL straightforward, dual system flexibility
- Mining investors: Kenya — 3% royalty, West Kenya production from 2026
- High-risk/high-reward: DRC — 3.5% royalty, competitive prices, security required
Tax comparison: Tanzania ~9–10% · Uganda $200/kg refined · Kenya 3% · DRC ~5.5–6%
Post 13 · Strategy
AfriRoute Strategy: Turning Analysis into Real Business
Partnership invitation. From $80,000 first shipment to $300,000+ infrastructure. Full-cycle operation model.
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What I deliver as quality & quantity control specialist:
- Independent on-site assay — eliminating surprises at smelting
- Full documentation verification (TMAA, DGSM, CEEC, ICGLR RCM)
- Chain of Custody control — mine to Dubai offtaker
- Logistics optimization — Brink's, Malca-Amit, or Transguard routing
- Deal structuring — minimizing tax and FX exposure
Partnership model: Upstream · Midstream · Downstream
- Direct contracts with licensed ASM cooperatives in Tanzania and Uganda
- Refining at MPMR/GGR (Tanzania) or Euro Gold Refinery (Uganda)
- Direct contracts with Dubai/Doha refiners for 97–98% doré
- Escrow settlements via Dubai Islamic Bank or Standard Chartered Dubai
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