Debswana

The panic behind Botswana’s big, sparkly diamond show

Diamonds account for 30% of the country’s economy, but lab-grown gems mean less demand for ones dug out of the soil

Keletso Thobega

Sparkle: Botswana supplies at least 70% of De Beers’ rough diamonds. Debswana, an equal partnership between the government and the De Beers group, has four mines. Photo: Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP

10 APR 2023

ANALYSIS: Its a political game for Botswana and De Beers

Ahead of Botswana’s general elections in 2024, President Mokgweetsi Masisi uses De Beers partnership to win votes, say analysts

Anathi Madubela

5 min read

AIDS TREATMENT

20 NOV 2009

The jewel loses the lustre

Hailed as one of the most prosperous and well-governed countries in Africa, the global economic crisis has forced Botswana to rethink the way forward.

Mandy Rossouw

7 min read

BOTSWANA

19 MAR 2008

Botswana wants more bang for its bling

The world’s largest producer of diamonds wants more bang for its bling. A company launched on Tuesday will market and sell about a third of Botswana’s diamonds to manufacturers…

Celean Jacobson

4 min read