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Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi looks at a large diamond discovered in Botswana at his office in Gaborone on August 22, 2024. The 2492 carat diamond was discovered in the Karowe mine in Botswana of Lucara Diamond Company. (Photo by MONIRUL BHUIYAN/AFP via Getty Images)
AFRICA

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
4 min read
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
ANGLO AMERICAN

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

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

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