Sudan‑Türkiye Deepen Ties in Currency Production and Gold Certification
Sudan and Türkiye are stepping up cooperation on currency printing, gold certification, and institutional rebuilding, as Khartoum pivots to regional partners to stabilise its economy.
Sudan and Türkiye have agreed to intensify practical collaboration in currency minting, gold certification, and institutional restructuring — a move that signals deeper bilateral engagement at a time when Sudan’s economy is under mounting pressure.
Technical Cooperation: Currency and Gold
A high-level Sudanese delegation visited the Turkish Currency Printing Corporation in Istanbul, in what Sudan presented as a significant step to reinforce technical cooperation and share expertise. The delegation included the Minister of State for Finance,Mohamed Nour Abdeldaim, Consul General in Istanbul, Ambassador Osama Mahjoub, as well as Central Bank of Sudan representative Yasser Banga Ahmed.
According to Sudanese reports, the Turkish side demonstrated its capacity in advanced currency-printing technology, medal minting, passport printing, as well as modern tracking systems. They also showed gold refining techniques. The Turkish side, expressed readiness for “full technical and operational support” to Sudan’s currency and gold sectors.
The two sides also discussed issuing certification for Sudanese gold in coordination with relevant Sudanese authorities.
This certification could potentially unlock access for Sudanese gold to new markets, a key issue given Sudan’s rising dependence on gold exports for foreign currency revenues.
Broader Economic Context in Sudan
This cooperation comes amid a broader economic crisis in Sudan, driven by war, hyperinflation, and a collapsing currency. The Sudanese pound has suffered severe volatility, partly due to liquidity shortages and disruptions in currency circulation. The central bank has introduced new banknote denominations of 500 and 1,000 , and 2000 pounds to address the cash shortage and fight counterfeit.
At the same time, Sudan’s gold sector has become an increasingly critical pillar of its economy. About 48 percent of the gold produced in 2024 was allegedly smuggled, while only 52 percent passed through official channels. That smuggling undermines state efforts to monetise the sector, even as gold exports remain among Sudan’s top non‑oil exports.
To strengthen the formal gold economy, external technical support has been pledged. For instance, the former Sudanese Central Bank governor, Burai Al‑Sadig, has held discussions with regional monetary institutions to establish a gold exchange, train staff in gold‑backed bonds, and develop an academy for financial market science at the central bank.
Historical and Strategic Dimensions
The Sudan–Türkiye cooperation is not entirely new. Economic ties date back decades, and Türkiye has previously shown interest in Sudan’s mineral wealth. In 2018, Sudan and a Turkish state-linked geological research agency signed a deal allowing Turkish firms to prospect for gold in Sudan’s Red Sea region. That precedent likely informs the current collaboration, suggesting continuity in Ankara’s long-term engagement strategy.
From Sudan’s perspective, partnering with Turkey can help diversify its markets and reduce overreliance on traditional or more volatile export channels. Given recent geopolitical and economic pressures — including disruptions in gold exports — those partnerships may be seen as increasingly strategic.
Reporting by Awad Mustafa