Buy Gold in Senegal with Verified Financing
Senegal's gold comes from the Kédougou region. We work only through declared buying offices and carry every export cost.
| Primary minerals | Gold, phosphates, zircon, iron ore |
|---|---|
| Key gold area | Kédougou region (Saraya, Kharakhéna) |
| Regulator | Ministry of Mines and Geology |
| Governing law | Mining Code, Law 2016 32 |
| Royalty on gold | 5% raw or refined abroad; 3.5% if refined in Senegal |
| Export hub | Dakar |
Short answer
To buy gold in Senegal legally, you buy from a declared buying office (comptoir): a locally registered company that has declared to the Ministry of Mines and Geology, holds Ministry of Finance approval and minimum share capital of 20 million FCFA. Each export lot is presented whole with a Mines control certificate and an invoice valued at the London fix, and gold pays a royalty of 5%, or 3.5% if refined in Senegal. Minerals Finance Team verifies the buying office and documents, finances the export costs, and you pay only after delivery and your final assay.
Who regulates gold in Senegal
Gold is governed by the Mining Code (Law 2016 32) and administered by the Ministry of Mines and Geology, which became a separate ministry in June 2026. Buying offices also need approval from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning, and foreign exchange is controlled by the regional central bank, the BCEAO. A new mining code was requested in late 2025, and its adoption is pending.
Who can buy and export gold in Senegal
- Buying offices (comptoirs) must declare to the Mines minister, obtain Finance ministry approval, register locally (RCCM and NINEA) and hold at least 20 million FCFA in share capital. There is no nationality limit, but a foreign buyer must operate through a local entity.
- Artisanal gold panning cards are reserved for Senegalese nationals, and artisanal miners must sell anything above 10 grams to a declared buying office.
How gold is exported from Senegal
- The buying office presents the whole lot for control.
- It files its Finance ministry approval, a Mines control certificate and a pro forma invoice in three copies stating the bars or lots, weight, fineness and value at the London fix.
- Customs clears the shipment from Dakar.
- The buying office files quarterly and annual returns with the Mines ministry.
Royalties on gold in Senegal
Article 77 of the Mining Code sets a royalty of 5% on raw gold and on gold refined abroad, and 3.5% on gold refined in Senegal, calculated quarterly on market or FOB value. The state also holds a free 10% stake in mining companies. We confirm current rates on every export.
Where Senegal's gold comes from
Senegal's gold comes from the Kédougou region in the southeast. Industrial production is led by Endeavour Mining's Sabodala Massawa and the Mako mine, while artisanal mining is concentrated around Kharakhéna in the Saraya department. Since August 2024 mining has been suspended within 500 metres of the Falémé river until June 2027. A national gold buying office and processing plant are planned for Kédougou.
Mistakes to avoid in Senegal
- Gold with no declared buying office behind it. Officials estimate that 6 to 7 tonnes a year leaves informally through Mali. Gold offered outside a declared comptoir has no traceable legal origin.
- Skipping the Mines control certificate. Every lawful export lot carries one.
- Paying export costs to the seller. In every deal we finance, they are paid directly to the authorities.
Read our guide to avoiding gold scams for the full pattern.
How we finance a gold purchase in Senegal
- You apply online at no cost and receive a reference number.
- We complete KYC on you and verify the buying office's declaration, Finance approval and registration.
- We inspect the lot and attend the Mines control and valuation.
- We issue written terms, then finance the royalty, insurance and freight, paid directly to the authorities and providers.
- You receive the gold, run your final assay and settle. Our single success fee is due only then.
If a Senegal seller cannot show a declared buying office and a Mines control certificate, the deal stops before it costs you anything.
Frequently asked questions: buying gold in Senegal
Can a foreigner buy gold in Senegal?
Yes, through a declared buying office (comptoir). There is no nationality limit on buying offices, but a foreign buyer must operate through a locally registered company with at least 20 million FCFA share capital.
Who regulates gold in Senegal?
The Ministry of Mines and Geology, under the 2016 Mining Code, with Finance ministry approval for buying offices and BCEAO foreign exchange rules.
What is the royalty on gold in Senegal?
5% on raw gold and gold refined abroad, and 3.5% on gold refined in Senegal, under Article 77 of the Mining Code.
Where is gold mined in Senegal?
In the Kédougou region in the southeast, including the Sabodala Massawa and Mako mines and artisanal sites around Kharakhéna.
What documents should a Senegal gold export have?
The buying office's Finance ministry approval, a Mines control certificate, and a pro forma invoice stating weight, fineness and value at the London fix.
Do I pay anything upfront through MFT?
No. We finance the royalty, assay, insurance and freight on verified deals. You pay one success fee only after delivery and your final assay.
Other markets we finance
We finance verified gold transactions across West Africa: Sierra Leone · Ghana · Guinea · Mali · Burkina Faso · Côte d'Ivoire · Liberia. See all country guides or read our guide to avoiding gold scams.
Apply for financing in Senegal
If you have a pending or planned gold purchase in Senegal, submit it through our buyer application. We review it within 2 business days and, if it passes due diligence, carry every upfront cost while you settle after delivery and final assay.
Sources and last review
Regulatory details reviewed October 2026. Rules change; we confirm current requirements on every transaction.
Buying gold in Senegal?
Verify the buying office first. Apply and let us carry the upfront costs while you settle after final assay.
Apply for Financing