Botswana�s Trojan horse

Diamonds
Diamonds

Rich and peaceful. Poor and unequal. With a small population of about 2 million people, vast diamond reserves, and an unusual lack of conflict, Botswana is known as Africa’s political diamond.

Far from the usual tales of corporations looting Africa, Botswana’s primary corporate partner, De Beers, has been involved with the government in what is considered as one of the world’s longest public-private partnerships. 

De Beers has gone so far as to give Botswana a 15% share in the corporation.  Botswana has even established a sovereign fund to ensure that the finite resource of diamonds can reap indefinite revenues.

Editor's Comment
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