13 Nov 2025

Botswana advocates for natural diamonds and has embarked in a robust campaign focused on differentiating, defending and reclaiming the value the country’s natural diamonds to safeguard against their waning demand. 

Speaking during Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) tour by the President of India, Ms Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo said the relationship that Botswana had with India was critical to the agenda and the success of the differentiation and defence campaign that the country had put forward.

Through the campaign, Botswana aims to protect and promote the premium value of natural diamonds in the face of growing competition from lab-grown or synthetic diamonds.

Additionally, the campaign is also meant to build a unique narrative and value proposition around the country’s natural diamonds, with emphasis on aspects like; ethical sourcing, traceability and local beneficiation, among others. 

“At the heart of that is DTCB, because this is where you find the sorting of our diamonds and we are able to sell to both the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) and De Beers Global Sightholder Sales from this very place, where then we see our diamonds ending up in all of the diamond players around the world,” said minister Kenewendo. 

For that reason, the minister expressed gratitude for hosting President Murmu and her delegation at the DTCB’s state-of-the-art building, describing the building as Botswana’s diamond trading hub.

The DTCB building, the minister said was a sustainable building, which represented all thopes, dreams and impact of the diamond industry. 

Further, Ms Kenewendo explained that the primary mandate of DTCB, which is a 50/50 joint-venture between Botswana and the De Beers Group, was to accurately sort and assesses the value and quality of each rough diamond mined locally by the Debswana Diamond Company before sale and allocation.

She expressed delight that the ODC had started its model of contract sales, which featured a number of Indian businesses.  This, she said was yet another clear sign that the two countries were both partners in the diamond industry.

“We look forward to our continued partnership to strengthen it, unlock financing opportunities and share innovations that are associated with it.” 

During her three-day State Visit, President Murmu visitede the Three Dikgosi Monument, addressed the Botswana National Assembly and paid a visit to Mokolodi Nature Reserve. 

The DTCB tour was also graced by the Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale and DTCB managing director, Mr Sedireng Serumola, among other dignitaries. ENDS