President William Ruto has announced plans to stop the export of unprocessed gold and other raw minerals as Kenya moves to increase local value addition.
Ruto said the government wants minerals mined in Kenya to be processed locally before being exported. The plan is aimed at ensuring the country earns more from its natural resources and creates more jobs within Kenya.
The President said the new approach would cover several minerals, including gold, as the government seeks to move away from exporting raw materials.
Under the proposed changes, more processing activities would take place within the country before minerals reach international markets.
Ruto said the government also plans to strengthen the systems used to buy and trade locally mined gold.
The Central Bank of Kenya is expected to play a bigger role in the gold trade, with the institution positioned as an initial point of sale for gold produced in the country.
The move is part of a wider government push to promote local processing and reduce the export of raw materials without adding value.
The President has argued that Kenya should benefit more from its mineral resources by developing industries around mining, processing and manufacturing.
The policy could also create opportunities for businesses involved in mineral processing and related industries.
The announcement comes as Kenya seeks to attract investment into the mining sector while ensuring that local communities and the wider economy benefit from the country's natural resources.
The government is expected to provide more details on how the proposed restrictions on unprocessed mineral exports will be implemented.
If fully implemented, the policy would mark a major shift in Kenya's approach to mineral exports, with greater emphasis placed on processing resources locally before they are sold abroad.