Is Botswana Getting A Raw Deal From De Beers Diamonds - The World News Site

Under the previous framework, the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) received only 25% of the rough diamonds mined by Debswana, leaving De Beers with the lion's share to distribute through its proprietary network. This arrangement sparked a national debate over whether Botswana was receiving fair value for its primary natural resource. Breaking the Monopoly: Key Terms of the 2025 Agreement

While rough diamonds are now aggregated in Botswana, the local cutting and polishing industry struggles to compete with established hubs in India and Israel. Critics argue that De Beers protects its traditional supply chains, leaving Botswana with the low-margin work of sorting while high-margin manufacturing remains offshore. The "raw deal" narrative suggests that Botswana is doing the heavy lifting of extraction while the true wealth generation happens elsewhere. Critics argue that De Beers protects its traditional

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding De Beers' operations in Botswana. The article highlights the complexities of the diamond industry and the challenges faced by governments and mining companies in ensuring that natural resources benefit both the company and the country. The article highlights the complexities of the diamond

For years, this seemed equitable. But critics argue that the world has changed, and the contract has not kept pace. The core of the dispute lies not in the mining of the diamonds, but in their journey after they leave the ground. Under President Duma Boko

Ultimately, the debate is no longer just about the split of revenue, but about the viability of the diamond market itself. As Botswana continues to face the reality of market shifts and the eventual depletion of its mines, its primary challenge is no longer just negotiating with De Beers—it is successfully diversifying its economy away from diamonds entirely.

Under President Duma Boko, Botswana is aggressively seeking a controlling stake in De Beers to secure economic sovereignty, aiming to acquire over 50% ownership by October 2026. While a February 2025 agreement increased Botswana’s share of diamond production to 50% by 2035, the push for majority control comes amidst a depressed diamond market and high financial risk, with opposition questioning the strategy. Read the full story at Mining.com .