17 Nov 2025

 KGK Academy, the training arm of KGK Diamonds Group Botswana, one of the country’s largest cutting and polishing operations has produced its 2025 cohort of 88 graduates, marking another milestone in Botswana’s drive to build local capacity in the diamond value chain.

The graduates completed a 12-month programme comprising six months of theory and six months of practical assessments, including an attachment within the organisation. Their completion has paved the way for 40 new trainees who are continuing with the Academy.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, praised KGK Diamonds for its commitment to youth skills development and for integrating trained graduates into the labour market. She further commended the company for its sustained contribution to Botswana’s diamond cutting industry, where it employs over 25 percent of the national workforce in the subsector.

“KGK has given beyond diamonds. It is the only company in the industry that has opened a day-care centre within its premises, enabling young mothers to bring their children to work,” Ms Kenewendo said, describing the initiative as a powerful example of inclusivity.

She also highlighted the company’s solar-powered factory, noting that it sets a strong foundation for the growth of a local jewellery manufacturing industry and contributes significantly to socioeconomic development. She affirmed her ministry’s support for initiatives that further local beneficiation. BOPA