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ODC joins Tracr amidst provenance push

Mmetla Masire. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG
Mmetla Masire. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

As the country steps up its efforts to safeguard the credibility of its diamond exports, state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) has hopped onto Tracr, a platform for tracking and tracing the source of diamonds developed by De Beers.

The move comes as the global diamond industry faces mounting regulatory pressure—particularly from G7 countries—to provide verifiable proof of origin amidst ongoing sanctions on Russian diamonds and growing scrutiny of supply chains. ODC’s integration signals a broader shift toward traceability as a financial necessity, not just a branding exercise.

The natural diamond industry is under growing pressure from sanctions, synthetics, and shifting consumer preferences. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian diamonds, which pass through complex trading routes before reaching Western markets, have faced mounting restrictions, especially from G7 economies. This has triggered a broader reassessment of how diamonds are sourced and certified.

Editor's Comment
Warm relations must not come at the expense of fair trade

“I believe that free but fair trade isan absolute imperative”– John E. JamesFor two countries bound by geography, history and deep economic ties, periods of diplomatic strain serve neither side well. President Duma Boko’s efforts to restore momentum to relations with Pretoria deserve recognition, particularly at a time when Southern Africa faces shared challenges ranging from sluggish economic growth and unemployment to energy security...

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