Lyn Frans
Ghana has overtaken South Africa to reclaim its position as Africa’s largest gold producer.
In 2022, Ghana’s gold production increased by 32%, reaching 3.7 million ounces, up from 2.8 million ounces in 2021. This surge enabled Ghana to surpass South Africa, which had previously held the top spot. The growth was driven by both large-scale and small-scale mining sectors .
Ghana first became Africa’s leading gold producer in 2019, but a decline in output caused it to lose the position to South Africa in 2021. The recent increase in production has allowed Ghana to regain the top spot
The leading gold producers in Africa, ranked by estimated output, are Ghana, South Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan.
Ghana produces an estimated 130 metric tonnes (MT) of gold each year, followed by South Africa with 100 MT, Mali with 67.7 MT, Burkina Faso with 57.6 MT, and Sudan with 50 MT.
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Ghana’s gold production was reported at 130,000 kg in December 2024, marking an increase from the previous figure of 126,000 kg in December 2023. The data, which is updated annually, has averaged 72,541 kg from December 1990 to 2024, based on 35 observations. It reached an all-time high of 148,336 kg in 2018 and a record low of 16,800 kg in 1990.
Ghana is recognized as one of the world’s gold hotspots, holding the title of Africa’s largest gold producer and ranking sixth globally. The Tarkwa Mine in Ghana, operated by Goldfields, is the largest open-pit gold mine in Africa, producing 551,000 ounces annually and processing 14.1 million tons of ore in 2023.
This shift underscores South Africa’s ongoing challenges in its mining sector, including aging infrastructure and labor disputes, which have opened space for competitors like Ghana to surge ahead.