Will rising diamond sales slow Botswana’s economic diversification drive?

Statistics Botswana reported that diamond production increased by 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026, rising to 4.89 million carats from 4.67 million carats in the corresponding quarter of 2025.

Production also rebounded strongly from the previous quarter, rising by 148.1%, mainly due to improved machinery performance following maintenance works and higher recovered ore grades at Orapa mine. Accentuating expectations of a stronger recovery, the Bank of Botswana noted that Debswana has revised its 2026 diamond production target upward by approximately 20%, from 15 million to 18 million carats, signalling increased confidence in market conditions and a stronger anticipated contribution of the diamond sector to economic growth.