Ghana’s gold export earnings have reached an estimated 8 billion US dollars between January and mid-October 2025, according to a statement released by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). The agency, which serves as the country’s central authority for gold regulation and trading, attributed the surge to strengthened oversight mechanisms and structural reforms within the sector.

The GoldBod, working in collaboration with the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), reported that Ghana exported 81,719.23 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately 8.06 billion dollars, primarily from the small-scale mining sector. This represents a substantial increase from the 4.61 billion dollars recorded during the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing contribution of artisanal and small-scale miners to Ghana’s formal gold economy.

Officials explained that this sharp rise in revenue has been driven by a mix of regulatory tightening, anti-smuggling initiatives, and improved compliance standards. Since its establishment in March 2025, the GoldBod has introduced a series of reforms to ensure transparency and accountability within the gold value chain. The agency has taken over several functions previously managed by the PMMC, which had supervised Ghana’s small-scale mining industry since 1963.

Ghana remains Africa’s largest gold producer, having exported around 4.8 million ounces (approximately 136 metric tonnes) of the precious metal in 2024, according to data from the Minerals Commission of Ghana. The latest figures position the country as a critical player in the global gold market and an essential contributor to West Africa’s mineral-driven economy.

Economists have noted that Ghana’s recent export performance could provide much-needed support to its foreign exchange reserves, especially amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the national currency, the cedi. The growth of the small-scale sector, once characterised by informal practices and limited regulation, is now being increasingly recognised for its potential to drive inclusive and sustainable development within mining communities.

Observers across the continent view Ghana’s regulatory transformation as part of a broader African effort to reclaim agency over natural resource governance. Across Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa, mineral-rich nations are reassessing extractive frameworks to ensure that local economies derive greater value from natural resources. By strengthening oversight and reducing illicit trade, Ghana’s approach demonstrates a model of homegrown reform rather than externally imposed solutions.

The GoldBod’s achievements over the past ten months reflect a shift towards institutional resilience, economic sovereignty, and fairer wealth distribution within Africa’s mining landscape. As Ghana consolidates its gold sector under a unified regulatory system, it continues to shape a narrative that aligns economic success with social responsibility and regional cooperation.

For more information on Ghana’s gold trade reforms and regional mining developments, visit the Ghana Gold Board and Precious Minerals Marketing Company.