KHARTOUM – Sudan’s government on Saturday announced a package of reforms aimed at curbing gold smuggling, strengthening governance in the mining sector and increasing the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
Speaking at the First Hope Forum on Mining Issues in Khartoum, Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim said a large share of Sudan’s gold production had been smuggled out of the country, calling for stronger coordination with state authorities to tighten oversight of mineral production. He also reaffirmed government support for expanding regulated mining, broadening the tax base without raising tax rates, and eliminating illegal levies on goods moving between states.
The forum concluded with the adoption of a National Mining Charter, recommending the harmonization of federal and state mining laws, tighter action against illegal mining and smuggling, accelerated digital transformation, improved environmental standards, and the establishment of a minerals exchange and a minerals bank to support producers and strengthen the central bank’s gold reserves.
Mining Minister Nour El-Daim Taha said the government viewed mining as one of the country’s main drivers of economic recovery, stressing that better governance, stronger environmental protection and closer coordination among federal and state institutions would maximize the sector’s contribution despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.
Gold has become Sudan’s largest export and a critical source of foreign currency since the outbreak of war in April 2023, with authorities repeatedly warning that widespread smuggling and unregulated mining have reduced state revenues and undermined efforts to stabilize the economy.
