July 15, 2026

The Panafrican Press

English-language platform committed to rigorous, independent journalism across the African continent.

Cameroon’s unchecked gold rush: billions vanish to dubai

Sur cette photographie prise le 4 avril 2018, des mineurs d'or travaillent sur un site minier dans la ville camerounaise de Betare Oya (illustration).

The vanishing billions of Cameroonian gold

A rampant gold fever has gripped Cameroon, particularly in its Eastern and Adamaoua regions. Here, countless mining operations have sprung up, yet the State struggles to assert its authority. Billions in gold are illicitly funneled towards Dubai, facilitated by sophisticated criminal networks. These operations thrive on local complicity, with individuals entrenched in these illicit activities prepared to go to great lengths to maintain their lucrative positions. This investigation uncovers the intricate web of this elusive gold trade.