In November 2023, authorities intercepted approximately 30.5 kilograms of gold at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport.

Cameroon’s officially recorded gold exports for the entire year?

22.3 kilograms.

One documented airport seizure was larger than the country’s entire officially recorded annual export total.

That does not prove how much gold successfully leaves the country illegally.

But it raises an extraordinary question:

How much gets caught—and how much doesn’t?

This investigation follows Cameroon’s gold through mining regions, informal markets, SONAMINES, Customs, airports, borders and global trading hubs.

No predetermined villains.

No outrage for clicks.

Just four questions:

What do we know? What does the evidence suggest?  ...