By: Semafor

South Sudan's mining sector is being undermined by illegal operations and systemic corruption, according to a report by the NGO Swissaid. The organization stated that the country's "kleptocratic political regime" has failed to effectively regulate the industry, leaving artisanal miners vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups and corrupt officials. Nearly all of the nation's gold is produced informally and much of it is smuggled out, with Kenya, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates identified as primary destinations.

Swissaid attributes the lack of formal, industrial mining to persistent civil conflict since 2013 and insufficient geological mapping, which hinders organized exploration. In response, South Sudan's mining ministry has disputed the claim that most gold exports are smuggled, although specific counter-evidence was not provided.