African nations are aggressively scaling domestic gold refining capacity to capture more value from the metal and boost foreign-exchange reserves amid historically high prices. Burkina Faso recently inaugurated its first gold refinery, following similar initiatives in Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries are shifting from exporting raw gold dorés to refining locally, aiming to control the entire value chain, improve tax collection, and combat illicit trade. The strategy includes implementing regulatory requirements that mandate local refining before export, as seen in Ghana, and focusing on international accreditation to ensure competitive market access. Economic analysts note that success will depend on securing reliable power, skilled labour, and transparent, traceable gold supplies.