Sellers share the details.
Submit the material type, approximate quantity, location and sourcing documents through WhatsApp, then complete the required seller checks.
Precious metals. Clear value.
Connecting Africa’s Precious Metals to Global Markets.
Launching in South Africa and Zimbabwe, Karat connects verified gold and precious metals suppliers with qualified buyers worldwide — bringing transparency, trust and accessibility to Africa’s precious metals trade.
Launching in South Africa & Zimbabwe Expanding Across Southern Africa
In development. Piloting gold, copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts in South Africa and Zimbabwe, subject to local trading rules and partner approvals.
VALUE, MADE VISIBLE.
OUR VISIONKnow the metal.
Understand the value.
Understand the value.
PILOT: GOLD · COPPER · CHROME · MANGANESE · 3Ts
Physical testing by qualified partnersOffers, fees and terms explainedProgress tracked through WhatsApp
About Karat
A trusted marketplace,
starting at the source.
Karat is building a trusted marketplace for gold and precious metals, starting in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to make precious metals trading more transparent, accessible and efficient by connecting verified African suppliers with qualified buyers worldwide.
We work towards relationships with licensed producers, refiners, authorised trading partners and legitimate precious metals buyers, building a transparent, secure and compliant marketplace.
Phase 1 · Initial launch
Two markets, launching together.
ZASouth Africa
ZWZimbabwe
Verified gold and precious metals suppliers in both countries, connected with qualified local and international buyers.
Phase 2 · Planned expansion
Southern Africa
Following our initial launch, we plan to expand into other Southern African countries, creating a regional marketplace that connects African precious metals with global demand.
01 / The marketplace
Gold first.
Built for more.
Gold leads our pilot in South Africa and Zimbabwe, alongside copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts. More precious metals and battery materials are planned as the marketplace grows.
Precious metals
Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Iridium and Osmium.
Our primary focus, starting with gold.
Industrial & battery materials
Copper, Chrome, Manganese and the 3Ts (Tin, Tantalum and Tungsten), plus Lithium and other future materials.
Copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts are part of the pilot. Battery materials are a planned expansion.
Supported materials and forms will depend on partner approvals and the trading rules in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Expansion to other Southern African countries is planned, not yet available.
02 / The proposed process
From first message
to final settlement.
Simple on your phone. Physical handling by qualified partners in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Buyers set their requirements.
Qualified local and international buyers specify the material, form, quantity, grade and location they are looking for.
Partners verify the material.
Qualified partners check eligibility, then weigh and test for purity or grade. Results inform the final offer.
Everyone reviews the terms.
Offers, fees and transaction terms are set out in one breakdown. Nothing proceeds until participants approve.
Sale and settlement, tracked.
Approved partners coordinate the sale and settlement. Progress updates arrive through WhatsApp at each milestone.
This describes the intended service. Processes will differ between South Africa and Zimbabwe and by material. A test result alone does not establish ownership or permission to export.
03 / Sellers and buyers
Less guesswork.
On both sides.
Trading something valuable should come with answers. Karat is designed to make the important details visible to everyone in the transaction.
Your questions, answeredFor sellers
Know what your offer means.
Weight, purity or grade, price and deductions in one clear breakdown—before you agree to anything.
Know who handles your material.
Documented handovers to qualified partners, with an agreed process for custody and settlement.
For buyers
Source with clearer information.
Partner test results and sourcing documents to review before you commit.
Buy to your requirements.
Set the material, form, quantity and grade you need. Offers follow the trading rules in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
For everyone
Guidance when you need it.
An AI assistant helps you understand requirements, quotes and transaction updates. Physical authentication is always performed by qualified testing partners.
Pilot in development
A focused beginning.
A global ambition.
We’re launching in South Africa and Zimbabwe, connecting verified suppliers of gold, copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts with qualified local and international buyers, subject to confirming the permitted trading structure and partner participation in each country.
Next, we plan to expand across Southern Africa, with connections to global markets where trading rules, approvals and partnerships allow.
- 01Two initial markets, South Africa and Zimbabwe
- 02Gold, alongside copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts (tin, tantalum and tungsten)
- 03Testing and transactions through approved partners
- 04Clear offers, fees and documented progress
- 05Expansion across Southern Africa, then more precious metals and materials, as partnerships develop
Pilot participation details will be announced once operating arrangements are confirmed.
Contact us
Karat Coin
Coming SoonThe Future of Precious Metals Ownership.
We’re exploring a new way to connect physical precious metals with digital ownership. Karat Coin is our vision for making precious metals more accessible through a secure, transparent digital experience.
Karat Coin is an early-stage concept and is not available for purchase, investment or trading. Any future launch is subject to regulatory approval, custody arrangements and product development.
Karat Capital
Future arm · With licensed partnersCapital for the mines.
A legacy for the communities around them.
Mining regions can generate billions while the communities around them still wait for basic services. Karat Capital is our plan to connect long-term investors with licensed mines, and to make sure every deal leaves something behind.
Investors fund the mine.
Long-term capital for licensed mines through offtake and prepayment agreements. Investors pay now and are repaid in metal later.
Karat delivers verified metal.
Investors receive their metal through Karat’s trade flow, where every batch is tested and every cost is shown.
A community fund leaves a legacy.
A fixed, published share of every deal funds roads, schools and water, with local leaders choosing the projects.
Why it matters. Mines get patient capital, investors get secure metal, communities get a lasting legacy, and Karat gets long-term supply.
Example: Zimbabwe’s platinum boom, where is the wealth? (Al Jazeera)Karat Capital is a future concept. Karat does not currently offer investment products. Any future arm would be set up with licensed fund managers or merchant banks, subject to regulatory approval.
Before you begin
A few clear answers.
Where is Karat launching?
Karat is launching in South Africa and Zimbabwe. After our initial launch, we plan to expand into other Southern African countries. Karat does not yet operate elsewhere in the region.
Can I buy or sell on Karat today?
Not yet. Karat is in development. Trading and pilot registration are not currently open.
Which materials will Karat support?
The pilot covers gold, alongside copper, chrome, manganese and the 3Ts (tin, tantalum and tungsten). Other precious metals—silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium—are planned. Battery materials such as lithium are a longer-term expansion. Support for each depends on its form, testing requirements and approved partners.
How will material be authenticated?
Qualified testing partners physically check weight and purity or grade. The method depends on the material and its form. Photos and AI cannot establish purity. Sourcing and ownership checks are separate from testing.
What does the AI assistant do?
It helps you understand requirements, documents, quotes and transaction updates. It does not authenticate material or approve transactions.
Who will be able to buy?
Qualified local and international buyers who pass the required checks and are permitted to buy under the trading rules in South Africa or Zimbabwe. Both countries regulate who may buy and how a sale settles. Karat will operate within those rules.
Will I receive dollars, local currency or stablecoins?
Local-currency payouts, USD receiving details and stablecoin settlement are potential features that would depend on financial partners, the transaction structure and each country’s rules. None is currently offered.
Can material be sold directly to overseas buyers?
Not necessarily. Many countries regulate how gold and other materials are sold and exported. In South Africa and Zimbabwe, transactions must follow each country’s approved precious metals trading and export framework. Connections to global markets will only be offered where the rules allow.
What fees will Karat charge?
The fee model is still being developed. Our goal is to disclose Karat’s fee and any testing, logistics and settlement costs before a transaction is approved.
What is Karat Coin?
Karat Coin is an early-stage concept for connecting physical precious metals with digital ownership. It is coming soon and is not available for purchase, investment or trading. Any future launch is subject to regulatory approval, custody arrangements and product development.