Sudan restricts gold trade, imports in new economic crackdown

August 21, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan on Wednesday restricted the gold trade and tightened import controls in a bid to shore up its struggling economy and stabilise the national currency, the government said.

The measures, part of a wider emergency package, will centralise the buying and marketing of gold under a single state entity and make it a crime to possess the precious metal without official documentation.

Information Minister Khalid Al-Eisar announced the decisions following a meeting of a newly formed Economic Emergency Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Kamal Idris.

“A package of significant decisions has been adopted to support the stability of the national currency,” Al-Eisar said in a statement.

Under the new rules, all gold production will be strictly monitored until it is exported to prevent smuggling. The state-run body handling gold will also be tasked with providing foreign currency for importers.

The government will also restrict imports to only those that meet all banking and commercial regulations and will establish a national digital platform to track shipments.

Additionally, the committee ordered a review of car import regulations and a crackdown on illegal fees imposed by state authorities to “alleviate the burden on citizens.” Export policies will also be reviewed to remove obstacles and boost trade.