The UAE has served as a major hub for the laundering of smuggled and conflict-linked gold, allowing gold from war-torn countries to enter international markets while making it increasingly difficult to trace its origins.
￭ Sudan was central to this trade. SWISSAID estimated that 59 tonnes of Sudanese gold entered the UAE directly or through neighboring countries in 2024. Chatham House identified gold as a major source of funding for the Sudanese war, including the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supported by the United Arab Emirates.
￭ Switzerland remains a major destination for gold leaving the UAE. SWISSAID found Swiss refiner Valkambi imported almost 420 tonnes in 2025, but declined to reveal its original sources when asked.