Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — The Sahel region is witnessing a disturbing trend where 90% of security incidents are linked to the region’s lucrative gold mining industry.
According to a study by conflict monitor ACLED, this trend is particularly evident in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, countries that have reaped an estimated $18 billion from gold mining since 2022.
The Central Sahel, encompassing the three countries, has recorded 2,083 security incidents between January and May 2026, resulting in 2,460 deaths.
The mining boom, while boosting the economies of military regimes, has also fueled the growth of armed groups, including jihadists, who see mining operations as potential sources of revenue and influence.
The allure of gold has drawn various armed factions, including jihadist insurgents, who exploit the mines as a potential source of revenue and power. This situation is further compounded by the presence of trafficking networks that exploit the region’s instability, with the GI – TOC 2025 report indicating that revenues from trafficking finance insurgent, extremist, and militia networks in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and beyond.
The Sahel’s gold rush is not without humanitarian costs.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports a severe humanitarian crisis in the Central Sahel, with 2. 8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Burkina Faso alone, accounting for the highest number in the region.
As the region’s leaders grapple with harnessing the mineral wealth without exacerbating violence, the challenge is clear: addressing the root causes of the conflict, including governance issues, economic disparities, and the need for effective security measures.
The Sahel’s gold rush, thus far, stands as a violent predicament that threatens to deepen the region’s instability and prolong its humanitarian crisis.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Chinedu Okafor
