The diamond producer is looking beyond mining by linking its procurement ecosystem with CEDA’s financing and enterprise-development mandate GAZETTE REPORTER Debswana is looking to use the commercial ecosystem surrounding its diamond operations to help build stronger citizen-owned …
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at First Capital Bank's head office in Gaborone on Wednesday, establishing a framework for qualifying Debswana suppliers to access financing to execute contracts. …
A new alliance between the titan of Botswana’s diamond industry, Debswana, and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) signals a deliberate shift toward empowering citizen-owned businesses and weaving a more resilient, diversified economic fabric. …
Debswana invested over P2.7 million towards the development of the ranch, complementing Boteti District Council's P2.3 million contribution.Speaking at the handover, OLDM General Manager Mogakolodi Maoketsa said the project, which Debswana has supported since 2022, demonstrates t …
… Botswana was among the participating countries, where the programme was delivered by Stepping Stones International between August 2020 and April 2021 with support from the European Union and Debswana. …
As the Debswana Jwaneng Mine GM’s Soccer Fiesta enters its fifth edition, organisers say rising attendance and fundraising have enabled projects in health and education, with another community set to benefit this year GAZETTE REPORTER The Debswana Jwaneng Mine GM’s Soccer Fiesta …
… With a presence in Botswana for over 60 years and a partnership with Debswana since its inception, the company has contributed around P400,000 for this year’s event. …
President Advocate Duma Boko, Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho, cabinet ministers and Debswana Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Motsomi were among the dignitaries who joined 6 000 hikers for the 10th edition of the Jwaneng Bushwalk. …
Approximately 6 000 hikers braced the chilly morning to take part in the 10th edition of the Jwaneng Desert Bushwalk from the Debswana Rugby Grounds. …
… country's premier B2B procurement platform connects SMEs with SADC buyers.Now in its 10th year, the fair, which is the brainchild of Vuyiswa Mojela, features curated "Deal Rooms".This segment arranges pre-scheduled meetings between suppliers and procurement leaders from Debswana …
As Botswana readies to host the 30th TAFISA World Congress in 2027, the Ministry of Sports and Arts is establishing a satellite account to measure the economic impact of sporting events. Officials and corporate partners have called for data-driven investment strategies and legacy initiatives that extend beyond sponsorship to create lasting community benefits aligned with development goals.
As Botswana readies to host the 30th TAFISA World Congress in 2027, the Ministry of Sports and Arts is establishing a satellite account to measure the economic impact of sporting events. Officials and corporate partners have called for data-driven investment strategies and legacy initiatives that extend beyond sponsorship to create lasting community benefits aligned with development goals.
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.
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.
Debswana is hosting a fun run tomorrow at 5:30am at the Debswana Corporate Centre with routes of 5km, 10km and 21km to promote physical health and raise awareness about mental health under the theme Lived Experience Heard.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Residents of Rakops and neighbouring villages in Boteti launched a community fundraising effort to repair Rakops Junior Secondary School, which serves about 920 learners but faces deteriorating hostels, classrooms, ablution facilities, and teachers' accommodation. A 13-member committee formed by community members raised P45,000 from residents' contributions and P17,000 from a fundraising dinner.
After engaging external consultants to investigate widespread fronting allegations in the Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Debswana is taking action; early estimates suggest as much as 90% of participating firms were engaged in the practice. The CEEP has redirected P20 billion in Debswana procurement with the goal of creating 20,000 citizen enterprises between 2019 and 2024.
Debswana is connecting its procurement ecosystem with CEDA's financing and enterprise-development mandate to build stronger citizen-owned businesses as Botswana seeks economic diversification beyond mining.
First Capital Bank and Debswana have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide financing solutions to qualifying Debswana suppliers, helping citizen businesses bridge the gap between winning contracts and receiving payment through working capital, asset financing and term lending.
Debswana and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency have formed an alliance to unlock opportunities for citizen-owned businesses across agriculture, manufacturing, innovation, and engineering, leveraging Debswana's operational expertise and market access to scale local enterprises and strengthen supply chains.
Debswana invested over P2.7 million and Boteti District Council contributed P2.3 million towards a ranch development project. The initiative, supported by Debswana since 2022, aims to empower communities through sustainable livelihoods and food security.
A major BMJ Global Health study tracking over 123,000 caregivers and adolescents across eight African countries found that a parenting programme delivered in Botswana between August 2020 and April 2021 was associated with lower child abuse and better mental health outcomes.
The Debswana Jwaneng Mine GM's Soccer Fiesta will return July 31 to August 2 for its fifth edition, with organisers reporting rising attendance and fundraising have enabled health and education projects in communities.
The GM Soccer Fiesta, held annually in Jwaneng since 2022, has raised funds for school hostel renovations, a new clinic, and a women's football team, with surplus revenue reinvested into community projects. The fifth edition takes place July 31 to August 2.
The 10th edition of the Jwaneng Bushwalk attracted 6,000 hikers across 15km and 30km routes, with President Advocate Duma Boko and Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho among attendees. The event, which began in 2014, continues to position Jwaneng as a sport tourism hub while supporting charity work and regional integration.
Approximately 6,000 hikers participated in the 10th Jwaneng Desert Bushwalk from Debswana Rugby Grounds, attended by President Advocate Duma Boko, the Queen of Lesotho, cabinet ministers, and other dignitaries. Proceeds from the event and associated gala dinner will support education projects including a school book drive and equipment for the Special Education Unit at Dinonyane Primary School.
Debswana executives announced the newly launched Ya Masa strategy aims to invest in new asset classes while disposing of assets misaligned with the company's portfolio needs, including schools it currently manages.
The Trade Up North B2B procurement platform, now in its 10th year, connects SMEs with SADC buyers and features curated "Deal Rooms" arranging meetings between suppliers and procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The 2026 fair will take place in Francistown at Cresta Marang Gardens.
Botswana's premier B2B procurement platform connects SMEs with SADC buyers through curated "Deal Rooms" featuring pre-scheduled meetings with procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The fair, now in its tenth year, takes place in Francistown and aims to drive local content and regional integration.
Debswana has invested P1.7 million to develop a heritage centre at Mmalekwa Cultural Heritage Site in Kanye, the burial place of Bangwaketse chiefs and forefathers. The project aims to preserve local history and culture, support heritage tourism, and create economic opportunities for the community.
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.
Mining giant Debswana is set to reduce costs by P3 billion as it confronts a deepening global diamond downturn that is squeezing revenues and reshaping the industry.
Debswana's "Ya Masa" strategy for 2025–2029 marks the diamond company's first expansion in mandate since its establishment. The plan aims to rebuild its core diamond business, leverage untapped commercial opportunities including infrastructure, and venture into new sectors.
The Botswana Chamber of Mines and mining companies are pursuing import substitution by leveraging the sector's procurement power to support local manufacturing industries. Through initiatives including a supplier development programme with UNDP, mining companies aim to provide a market base for local manufacturers to grow and compete beyond the mining sector.
More than one hundred chess players from 18 African countries are competing in Jwaneng for the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships, running until 27 June. The event is powered by Debswana and comes during the African Chess Confederation's Golden Jubilee year.
Botswana's state-owned Okavango Diamond Company has extended operations into India, holding rough diamond viewing sessions in Mumbai at the Bharat Diamond Bourse Complex. The move has raised questions about the company's presence in the Indian diamond hub and why operational details remain undisclosed.
The Ngwaketse landboard chairperson has called for new land-use policies to address the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the Southern region, proposing stricter biosecurity measures including protection of veterinary buffer zones and reducing land allocation turnaround times to 48 hours.