Kenya Aims to Add Value to Gold Resources with Export Ban
Kenya's government plans to ban the export of unprocessed gold as part of its efforts to expand local mineral processing and retain more value from its natural resources.
President William Ruto announced this plan during a speech at Kisumu State Lodge in Nyanza, saying that it would be made illegal to export gold unless it had been processed and passed through approved government channels.
The policy aims to ensure the country adds value to its mineral resources before they are exported, mirroring efforts by other African mineral-producing countries to retain more value from their resources.
Ruto also announced plans to establish at least three gold refineries in Kakamega and Nairobi to support the processing of gold locally, with the Central Bank of Kenya set to have priority under a planned domestic gold-purchasing programme.