Dubai-based precious metals specialist Icon Gold has welcomed the deepening trade links between African mineral producers and Gulf markets as the Future Minerals Forum opens this week in Riyadh. Running from 13-15 January 2026 under the theme “Dawn of a Global Cause,” the forum brings together representatives from over 90 countries to advance mineral corridors connecting African producers with Gulf processing and trading hubs.
More than 500 ministers, CEOs and multilateral institutions are expected to focus on investment, infrastructure and value addition across the supply chain.
Gulf states, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have channelled tens of billions of dollars into African mining over the past decade, increasingly moving from financing and infrastructure into direct ownership of extractive assets. This push aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s strategy to anchor global commodities trade.
Dubai has emerged as a key beneficiary, now handling about 15% of global gold trade, with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre facilitating more than 300 tonnes annually. In 2024, the UAE became the world’s second-largest gold trading hub, bolstered by central bank demand and the launch of dirham-denominated gold contracts. “The relationship between African gold producers and Gulf trading centres has never been stronger. Dubai is the natural gateway for African producers seeking efficient access to global markets,” said Marcus Briggs of Icon Gold.
African suppliers including Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa remain central to Gulf gold flows, with near-record prices intensifying export activity. According to Icon Gold, producers are increasingly prioritising reliable, politically neutral trade routes. As the forum convenes, the message is clear: Gulf–Africa mineral partnerships are accelerating and companies embedded in both regions are best placed to benefit from the next phase of global commodity realignment.
