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15 Mar 2023

World renowned rough and polished diamonds manufacturer and distributor, Andre Messika Limited, has announced plans to set up operations in Botswana.

 “We would like to develop a factory here in Botswana, to polish and deliver the right excellence to the international market. Botswana has the best diamond quality, and we would bring in trust, as well as clients who need the product.”

  This was disclosed by the company‘s founder and owner Mr Andre Messika in an interview with BOPA yesterday following his courtesy call on President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Gaborone.

  The Israel-based diamond magnate said his company had been accessing Botswana diamonds through Lucara and was now ‘exploring the possibility of setting up industry here, like we do in Namibia’. 

In 2020, the company invested in a diamond factory in Namibia, becoming the largest employer of physically disabled and hearing impaired people in the country.

 With 50 years of experience in the diamond industry,  Andre Messika Limited used a 110-carat Botswana diamond to produce  its signature masterpiece necklace that has adorned international celebrities such as British supermodel Naomi Campbell and American multi Grammy award winning musician Beyonce Knowles.

“I am feeling confident that the dream I have been having about operating in Botswana could be realised,” said Mr Messika.

Flanked by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi and senior government officials, President Masisi expressed delight at the visit and urged his visitors to pursue value addition investment in Botswana.

If it materialises, the investment will be a feather in the cap for government’s continued endeavours to optimise the value of Botswana diamonds and establish the country as an international diamond centre. 

Mr Messika was accompanied by co-directors, Messrs Llan and Ben Messika, operations manager, Ms Leora Halfon as well as Lucara Diamond vice president and managing director Dr John Armstrong and Ms Naseem Lahri respectively. Ends