Also known as: De Beers Group
De Beers — diamond producer and joint-venture partner with Botswana government, navigating market decline and potential stake sale.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Weekend Post
… In February 2025, Botswana signed a long-delayed 10-year sales agreement with De Beers, the Anglo American unit that has long been central to the country’s diamond industry. …
Botswana keeps its investment-grade rating, but diamonds continue to cast a shadowMmegi
… The allegations reportedly centre on two issues: Kenewendo’s role in negotiations involving De Beers and questions concerning the acquisition and financing of her property in Phakalane. …
Kenewendo caught between alleged DCEC probe, push-outBotswana Sunday Standard
Sunday Standard Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’ Former De Beers chief executive officer Sheila Khama has warned that Botswana’s concentration of presidential power could pose a deeper threat to democracy and human rights than some of the constitutional issues …
Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’Daily News Botswana
The partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group is delivering tangible opportunities for young Batswana through internships, international placements and specialised skills development programmes. …
Ministry and De Beers partnership yields fruitThe Botswana Gazette
… DR DOUGLAS RASBASH The proposed sale of Anglo American’s controlling stake in De Beers is widely regarded as one of the most significant…
AFTER ANGLO DIVESTS DEBEERS IT LEAVES THE BSE?Mmegi
… Despite the lower sales environment, De Beers said it would continue with its production guidance, with output reaching 14.9 million carats in the first half of the year compared with 10.2 million carats during the same period in 2025.However, the optimism comes against a backdro …
De Beers keeps production targets despite weaker salesThe Botswana Gazette
… BONGANI MALUNGA De Beers has rejected renewed claims that it owes Botswana billions of pula in unpaid taxes as opposition pressure mounts on government to explain its handling of…
De Beers Rejects P14bn Tax ClaimBotswana Sunday Standard
Sunday Standard De Beers battles on as diamond slump deepens The global diamond industry remains under severe pressure, with De Beers reporting another difficult six months as weak rough diamond demand, lower prices and intensifying competition from laboratory-grown stones contin …
De Beers battles on as diamond slump deepensThe Botswana Gazette
Production rebounds, but the company says planned maintenance and weak trading conditions are expected to weigh on output later this year GAZETTE REPORTER De Beers’ rough diamond production rose 88 percent to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting the impact …
De Beers Rough Diamond Production Rebounds StronglyWeekend Post
… They cited weakening demand, price pressures from lab-grown alternatives, and questions about De Beers’ long-term role as key factors. …
Botswana’s export earnings drop by P5.4 Billion in early 2026Botswana's economy expanded by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in diamond output from mines that had been throttled during a downturn. Diamond production climbed to about 3.4 million carats from 2.7 million the previous quarter, with De Beers reporting Botswana accounted for 5.5 million carats in the period.
12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Botswana's economy expanded by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in diamond output from mines that had been throttled during a downturn. Diamond production climbed to about 3.4 million carats from 2.7 million the previous quarter, with De Beers reporting Botswana accounted for 5.5 million carats in the period.
12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
After a severe slump, Botswana's diamond industry has recovered—the economy expanded 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surged in the second. Acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe has urged the country to use this reprieve to diversify away from dependence on diamonds, steering capital toward farms, factories, and tourism rather than relying on another diamond-market recovery.
8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers CEO Al Cook said natural-diamond prices have stabilized and begun to grow after years of decline, attributing the shift to stronger demand in the United States and India and shrinking supply as aging mines close and companies limit investment. The improvement comes as the industry faces weak Chinese demand, excess inventories, and competition from laboratory-grown diamonds.
8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Six decades after independence, Botswana's partnership with De Beers has shaped the country's development, but the economy is preparing for a future where diamonds will no longer carry the same weight.
29 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Botswana's diamond industry has rebounded after a slump, with the economy expanding 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surging in the second. However, acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe warned against treating the recovery as a transformation, calling for investment in farms, factories, and tourism rather than reliance on diamond market fluctuations.
28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
With Botswana's diamond-dependent economy contracting 3 percent in 2024 as prices softened, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, former African Development Bank president, now heads the Diamonds for Development Fund to marshal capital for diversification, exports, and jobs—pledging the fund will not finance "Mickey Mouse projects."
28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Botswana's economy, built on diamond revenues for nearly six decades, faces a critical shift as global diamond markets decline since 2024. Debswana, the government-De Beers joint venture, is pursuing a new transformational strategy to build a sustainable, diversified future beyond mining.
24 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
President Duma Boko met with Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the newly appointed chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund's board, to advance efforts to transition Botswana's economy away from mineral dependence toward structural diversification, recognizing that diamond revenues are finite and the market is volatile.
21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana government is nearing completion of its review of Anglo American's proposed sale of its 85 percent De Beers stake, with due diligence expected to conclude by end of September. Botswana must then decide whether to join the preferred bidder, exercise pre-emption rights to buy the stake at a reported price of about $1 billion, or pursue another ownership structure, with transaction closure possible in the fourth quarter of 2026.
21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Diamonds for Development Fund, powered by an initial P1 billion investment from De Beers under its sales agreement with government, has established a secretariat and offices aimed at supporting the country's economic diversification and ensuring that diamond benefits enable broader economic transformation.
21 September 2026 · Mmegi →
S&P Global Ratings maintained Botswana's investment-grade sovereign rating at BBB- but kept a negative outlook, citing the country's heavy dependence on diamond exports and concern that weak global diamond demand will continue to constrain economic growth and government revenue.
17 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Unconfirmed allegations have emerged that Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo may be under investigation by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, reportedly concerning her role in De Beers negotiations and property acquisition in Phakalane. Kenewendo's office denied awareness of any investigation, and the DCEC has not publicly confirmed one.
14 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Former De Beers chief executive Sheila Khama has warned that the concentration of presidential power in Botswana could pose a deeper threat to democracy and human rights than current constitutional proposals under debate, arguing lawmakers should address what she sees as excessive executive authority vested in the presidency.
7 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
A partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group is providing internships, international placements and skills development for young Batswana. Seven interns participated in 2025, eight in 2026 (five from TVET institutions), with some placed internationally in areas including polished diamonds, science and technology, and data analytics.
12 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Anglo American's proposed sale of its controlling stake in De Beers could lead to the company's departure from the Botswana Stock Exchange, potentially revealing the true scale of the domestic market while intensifying pressure on pension funds to invest more assets locally.
9 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
De Beers reported first-half revenue of US$1.6 billion, down from US$2 billion a year ago, as rough diamond demand remained subdued and realized prices fell to US$105 per carat from US$155 per carat. The company maintained its 2026 production guidance of 21 to 26 million carats, producing 14.9 million carats in the first half compared with 10.2 million carats in the same period last year, though EBITDA losses of US$113 million persisted.
5 August 2026 · Mmegi →
De Beers has rejected claims that it owes Botswana P14 billion in unpaid taxes, while opposition pressure grows for government to clarify its handling of the matter.
5 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer, reported weak rough diamond demand, lower prices, and competition from laboratory-grown stones continued to pressure earnings in its latest six-month period, though the company noted early signs that market disruption may be easing.
3 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
De Beers' rough diamond production rose 88 percent to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting recovery from an extended maintenance shutdown at Orapa in Botswana, though planned maintenance and weak trading conditions are expected to weigh on output later this year.
3 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Botswana's export revenues totaled P25.6 billion from January to May 2026, a 17.3 percent decline from P31 billion in the same period last year, with diamond exports falling by P6.65 billion as the primary driver of the drop. The trade deficit widened by P3 billion to P13 billion over the same period.
3 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers once sold nine out of ten diamonds globally, but today sells about three out of ten, a decline analogous to industry giants like Blockbuster and Kodak that failed to adapt to technological change.
3 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Lucara Botswana presented a 1,305.4-carat diamond recovered at Karowe Diamond Mine to President Boko. The stone is the tenth weighing over 1,000 carats recovered at the mine since operations began, and the minister noted the diamond market is on a rebound with strong demand for large stones.
29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
De Beers' rough diamond production jumped 88% year-over-year to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter of 2026, largely driven by Botswana's mines where output more than doubled to 5.5 million carats following maintenance resumption at Orapa and higher-grade mining at Jwaneng. Sales declined slightly to 7.1 million carats amid geopolitical instability, shifting consumer preferences, and rising synthetic diamond competition.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Anglo American is preparing to sell its majority stake in De Beers to a consortium led by Gareth Penny, a former De Beers CEO. Botswana, which holds a 15 percent stake in the company, is considering whether to exercise its right of first refusal, partner with the bidder, or approve a new ownership structure.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers raised rough diamond production sharply in the first half of 2026, with Botswana providing nearly 70 percent of total output, though weak prices and subdued consumer demand continue to constrain revenue and profitability.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Anglo American has chosen a consortium led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny as the preferred bidder for its 85% stake in De Beers, with the sale expected to close by the end of 2026. The divestment reflects mounting market challenges for natural diamonds, including competition from lab-grown alternatives and declining revenues.
23 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers' chief executive has indicated that the long-running uncertainty surrounding the diamond company's future ownership could soon end, with a sale potentially completed within weeks.
7 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
The Index of Mining Production rose to 82.2 in Q1 2026, up from 77.2 a year earlier, marking a 6.3 percent year-on-year increase after a difficult 2025 when diamond production declined. The quarter-on-quarter jump from 40.9 in Q4 2025 to 82.2 in Q1 2026 signals recovery in a sector critical to Botswana's economy.
7 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers contributed an estimated P11.31 billion to Botswana's economy in 2025 through taxes, local procurement, wages, and shareholder returns, slightly below the previous year's P11.47 billion despite continued global diamond market weakness.
7 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
De Beers CEO Al Cook has indicated that the company's future ownership structure could evolve, signaling a potential shift in the company's long-term corporate model. Botswana has long sought to deepen its influence over the diamond giant.
27 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →