Plus: 🇬🇭 Ghana to deploy blockchain to track gold and curb illegal mining; 🇲🇦 Morocco publishes draft crypto rules.
– Ghana is turning to blockchain to bring full transparency to its gold industry, with a national Track-and-Trace platform set to go live by the end of 2026.
– In South Africa, Discovery Bank is bringing crypto trading directly into its mobile app through a partnership with Luno, making it easier for customers to buy and sell digital assets.
📌 Don’t miss:
The Catch Up section for other stories you may have missed.
Let’s dive in!
Ghana deploys blockchain to track gold and curb illegal mining
Topline: Ghana is preparing a blockchain-based Track-and-Trace system to monitor all gold purchased and exported from the country by the end of 2026, according to Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi. (Details)
The details: Gyamfi said the system will verify the legitimate origin of every shipment of gold and record the movement of each gram purchased and exported using blockchain.
- He noted that licensed mines will undergo audits to ensure they are not serving as fronts for illegal mining operations.
- Gyamfi said regulators will be able to monitor gold processing and trade across the entire supply chain.
Zoom in: Gyamfi previously announced that rollout would begin in Q1 2026, but he now expects deployment by the end of 2026 after more detailed procurement and planning.
- The Gold Board is seven months into operation, and Gyamfi said enforcement activities have already increased ahead of launch.
- He stated that the board is setting up an ISO-certified assay laboratory to improve testing and validation of artisanal and small-scale mining output.
Why it matters: Ghana joins a list of countries experimenting with blockchain to track minerals and improve transparency and verification across sectors.
South Africa’s Discovery Bank to support crypto transactions with Luno integration
Topline: South Africa’s Discovery Bank is partnering with crypto exchange Luno to enable crypto trading directly inside its mobile banking app. (Details)
Quick facts: The new feature is expected to launch next month and will allow customers to switch between crypto and fiat transactions in one place.
- Users will be able to move funds between their bank accounts and Luno wallets at reduced fees.
- Customers can also earn points based on funds held in their Luno wallets.
Regulation driving innovation: Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner said the partnership is possible because crypto has become more mainstream in South Africa under clear regulation.
- He noted that customer demand has grown significantly, reflecting broader national adoption of digital assets.
- The arrangement leverages Luno’s status as a licensed crypto asset service provider in the country.
Zoom out: More South African financial institutions have been incorporating crypto services since the country formalized digital asset regulation.
Catch up
🇲🇦 Morocco publishes proposed rules to regulate cryptocurrency (Mariblock)
🇰🇪 Bitcoin ATMs launch in Nairobi malls (Capitalfm)
That’s all for this week!
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Till next week,
Ogechi.
