Buy Gold in Côte d’Ivoire with Verified Financing

Côte d'Ivoire

Primary minerals	Gold, manganese, nickel, diamonds
Key producing areas	North, centre, west and south east of the country
Regulator	Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy
Governing law	Mining Code, Law 2014 138
Royalty on gold	Sliding scale, 3% to 6% by gold price
Export hub	Abidjan

Who regulates gold in Côte d’Ivoire

Mining permits are granted by decree of the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, with environmental review by the national environment agencies. The state mining company SODEMI oversees diamonds and is developing a national gold refinery. There is no single state gold buyer of the kind Ghana created in 2025, so the quality of your counterparty's paperwork matters more.

Under the Mining Code (Law 2014 138), a mining permit includes the right to sell and export what the mine produces, while anyone holding, transporting or trading raw gold outside a mine needs a separate authorisation on terms set by decree. A revision of the 2014 code is under way.

Can a foreigner buy gold directly in Côte d’Ivoire?

A foreign buyer can purchase from a party authorised to sell and export, such as a mine holding a permit or a licensed trading house. Artisanal mining itself is reserved for Ivorian nationals and majority Ivorian cooperatives, so offers of large quantities of artisanal gold from individuals deserve close scrutiny. Formal artisanal output was only about 730 kg in 2024, against roughly 59 tonnes of national production.

How gold is exported from Côte d’Ivoire

1. The seller confirms its mining permit or trading authorisation and complies with traceability rules.
2. The gold is declared and valued for tax and customs purposes.
3. Royalty and export formalities are completed and customs clears the shipment from Abidjan.
4. Export proceeds are repatriated under UEMOA foreign exchange rules, and the buyer runs a final assay on arrival.

Exact procedures are set by decrees and can change, so we confirm current requirements with the authorities on every transaction.

Royalties and taxes on gold

Gold carries an ad valorem royalty on gross revenue after transport and refining costs, on a sliding scale linked to the gold price: 3% up to US$1,000 an ounce, 3.5% up to US$1,600, 5% up to US$2,000 and 6% above US$2,000. At current gold prices the top rate applies. The rate for artisanal gold is set separately.

Where the gold comes from

Côte d’Ivoire produced about 59 tonnes of gold in 2024 from 13 operating mines, including Ity, Tongon, Yaouré, Bonikro, Agbaou, Hiré, Sisségué, Séguéla and Lafigué, with output rising toward a record in 2025. Production is spread across the north, centre, west and south east of the country.

Diamonds in Côte d’Ivoire

The United Nations lifted its embargo on Ivorian rough diamonds in April 2014, and Kimberley Process members resumed trade. Diamond exports must travel with a Kimberley Process certificate; we finance diamond purchases only through certified channels.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying artisanal gold from individuals. Artisanal permits are limited to nationals and cooperatives, and formal artisanal volumes are small.
• Skipping the authorisation check. Ask for the seller's permit or trading authorisation and verify it with the ministry.
• Paying export costs to the seller. In every deal we finance, those costs are paid directly to the authorities.

How we finance a gold purchase in Côte d’Ivoire

1. You apply online at no cost and receive a reference number.
2. We complete KYC on you and verify the seller's mining permit or trading authorisation.
3. We inspect the goods, attend valuation and assay, and issue written terms.
4. We finance royalties, export formalities, insurance and freight, paid directly to the authorities and providers.
5. You receive the gold, run your final assay and settle. Our single success fee is due only then.

If a seller cannot show a valid authorisation, the deal stops at due diligence, before it costs you anything.

Frequently asked questions: buying gold in Côte d’Ivoire

Other markets we finance

We finance verified gold transactions across West Africa: Sierra Leone · Ghana · Guinea · Mali · Burkina Faso · Liberia · Senegal. See all country guides or read our guide to avoiding gold scams.

Apply for financing in Côte d’Ivoire

If you have a pending or planned gold purchase in Côte d’Ivoire, 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.