
UAE's Gold Imports from Togo: A Billion-Dollar Discrepancy?
Togo's Gold Exports to UAE: A Discrepancy Raises Questions Lomé, Togo – A recent analysis of trade data reveals a significant discrepancy between Togo's reported gold exports and the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) declared imports. The difference, amounting to billions of CFA francs, raises concerns about potential unreported revenue. A video by author 'arty 366 Invisible' highlights this discrepancy, pointing to a potential gap in economic transparency. According to the author, the UAE reported importing US$2.65 billion worth of gold from Togo in 2023. However, Togo's official export figures for the same period are considerably lower. This disparity suggests that a substantial amount of gold exports may not be officially recorded, leading to a loss of potential tax revenue for Togo. "The numbers simply don't add up," says the author in the video. "The UAE's declared imports are far higher than Togo's reported exports, indicating a significant amount of unreported revenue." The video uses data from the United Nations COMTRADE database and Togo's Ministry of Commerce to support its claims. This discrepancy highlights the challenges of ensuring transparency in international trade, particularly concerning valuable commodities like gold. Further investigation is needed to determine the exact reasons for this difference and to address the potential implications for Togo's economy.