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Gaborone slowly takes centre stage in global diamond world

One voice: Masisi, Cleaver and Moagi on Monday PIC: BWPRESIDENCY
One voice: Masisi, Cleaver and Moagi on Monday PIC: BWPRESIDENCY

Ten more cutting and polishing factories are due to open this year in the country, while 85 member states of the world’s leading diamond group are this week due to endorse Botswana to host their secretariat. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports that after years of campaigning, Botswana is gradually becoming the global hub for diamonds

According to official statistics from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, in 2021 Botswana was the world’s leading rough diamond producer by value, with output measured at $4.7 billion (P63 billion), comfortably ahead of rivals such as Russia, Canada, and Angola.

In terms of volume, however, Russia led the pack in 2021, producing 39.1 million carats, followed by 22.9 million for Botswana.

Editor's Comment
The State apparatus must be sanitised

When the State cannot rely on its own machinery to pursue suspected wrongdoing, repairing that machinery must become a national priority.The establishment of a Special Investigations and Asset Recovery Task Force may help government respond to the immediate challenge. However, Botswana cannot afford to leave the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) struggling whilst building...

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