Blaze Metals Champions Innovation, Quality, & Artistry Looks To Lead The Precious Metals Trade In Africa & The Middle East

Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum have traditionally been seen as safe haven investments amid periods of economic instability, such as Inflation, wars, and recessions, due to their intrinsic value. These metals are generally considered attractive trading options for both long-term and short-term investments. Around a quarter of the world's gold supply comes from Africa, with at least 870 metric tons of the precious metal coming from the continent in 2021. In the past several decades, homegrown African companies have emerged and are taking a larger share of the market, helping fuel the economic growth of several African nations. 

Blaze Metals is a leading wholesale and retail supplier of gold bullion and other precious metals, founded in 2008 in Accra, Ghana by Oheneba Prince Kofi Opoku. A geologist by education and profession, Opoku's family was in the precious metals trading business, and he eventually decided to enter this field, as well. According to Opoku, Blaze Metals' name and logo come from gold's shine and luster and signifies the company's belief in the purity and value of its precious metals. 

Soon after its founding, Blaze Metals rapidly grew its market share in Africa. In 2012, Opoku established Blaze Metals FZ LLC, based in Dubai, UAE, giving the company access to the Middle East and Asian markets and allowing it to expand beyond being a raw materials supplier and participate in the retail market. Blaze Metals also established a close relationship with an innovative UAE-based manufacturer of small minted gold bars. According to Opoku, the company decided to move its headquarters to Dubai as it was emerging as a major gold trading hub and because of its geographic position as a gateway to many major gold markets in the Middle East, India, and Asia-Pacific. Blaze Metals is one of the few African-origin players in the Dubai market, leading the way for the growing number of precious metal businesses coming out of the continent.

"Gold has always been synonymous with wealth, and many African, Arab, and Indian cultures have a long history with gold. As populations in these regions continue to grow, so does the demand for gold," he adds. 

In 2016, Blaze Metals became a large gold exporter, which allowed it to export high volumes of gold on behalf of companies in Ghana that don’t have a presence outside the country. And then, in 2018, it began the process of certifying its products and placing its own hallmarks. Blaze Metals adheres to Dubai's centralized gold purity testing standards that are internationally recognized. By meeting certain purity thresholds, Blaze Metals' gold and silver bars are not subject to VAT or other taxes in the UAE. 

Today, Blaze Metals has mining activities and projects in Ghana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Meanwhile, Dubai, the Netherlands, and London serve as the company's trading hubs for precious metals. Its flagship products are cast gold bars and silver bars, which are popular investment choices and give customers the flexibility to diversify their portfolio, while still owning beautiful pieces. It also sells the Oheneba Foundation 10-gram minted gold coin, featuring the foundation's lion logo on one side and the Ashanti Kingdom Landscape Restoration's logo on the other. 

"Blaze Metals embodies a deeply held cultural belief that art is not only about aesthetics but also about striving for excellence in all endeavors," Opoku says. "The Oheneba Foundation's logo consists of a majestic lion with a splendid crown, long mane, and glaring eyes, symbolizing a king that freely shares his benevolence with others. Blaze Metals aims to become the premier supplier of gold and other precious metals by continuously refining our innovation, quality, and artistry. We strive to use ethical mining methods while offering an exceptional full range of precious metals and base investment solutions. We have done this by continuously exploring new mineral deposits, strengthening our internal capabilities, and achieving stability in high gold production."

Image Credit: Oheneba Opoku

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