The Natural Diamond Council becomes The Diamond Collective unveiling a new global strategy to reconnect natural diamonds with culture, strengthen consumer confidence and drive long-term relevancy. Shaped by new CEO Amber Pepper following six months of consultation with producers, retailers, brands, creatives and consumers, the strategy responds to a fundamental shift in how people discover, value and buy luxury. It sets a clear ambition for The Diamond Collective: to reignite desire for natural diamonds and convert that desire into sustained demand. The strategy connects culture, retail, trust, advocacy, digital discovery, partnerships and industry alignment through three priorities. These are UNITE…
Author: Editor
The Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), in collaboration with representatives from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, alongside members of the Chinese and international diamond industry, convened in Beijing on Sept. 15th to sign the Beijing Declaration on Natural Diamonds and Sustainable Development. According to De Beers, the declaration recognises the global nature of the diamond industry and acknowledges the connection from the positive socioeconomic impact felt in diamond-producing countries to China’s consumers of diamond jewellery, who are increasingly looking for authenticity and individuality in their jewellery choices. Hosted by the SDE, the event and signing ceremony in Beijing brought together government representatives…
De Beers Group’s Science & Technology division has revealed SynthDetect 2, the next generation desktop diamond screening instrument. The first SynthDetect instrument and its successor SynthDetect XL – released in 2017 and 2018 respectively – have been among the most successful instruments in De Beers Group’s suite of diamond verification instruments due to their outstanding technical screening functionality and ability to test multiple stones in set jewellery at once without the need for a probe. With SynthDetect 2, De Beers Group Science & Technology has worked closely with a range of trade participants to innovate on how best to integrate…
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed Botswana’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings at ‘BBB-’ and its short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings at ‘A-3’. While the outlook remains negative, Botswana’s sovereign ratings continue to be maintained within the investment-grade category, reflecting confidence in the country’s underlying credit strengths. “We equalise our ratings on the Bank of Botswana (BoB) with our ratings on the sovereign. Therefore, we affirmed our long-term issuer credit rating on the Bank of Botswana at ‘BBB-‘ and affirmed our short-term issuer credit rating at ‘A-3’. The outlook on our long-term rating on the…
DHL and Absa Group have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand DHL’s GoTrade programme across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), formalising a strategic partnership that paves the way for the rollout of the DHL GoTrade programme across key markets in SSA. By combining DHL’s logistics expertise with Absa Group’s extensive banking, digital and financial capabilities, the partnership will equip SMEs with practical tools, training and access to services that support cross-border trade, e-commerce growth and sustainable business development. Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi said the partnership will help SMMEs address the critical constraints to regional…
Morupule Coal Mine (MCN) and Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) say they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) placing citizen economic empowerment at the heart of the mining value chain. Speaking at the Gaborone signing recently, MCM CEO Edwin Elias pointed to results already delivered through the mine’s Citizen Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development Programme: over P1 billion in cumulative spend directed to citizen owned enterprises, citizen procurement lifted from 29% to 53%, and 2,550 jobs sustained. For his part, CEDA CEO Khalala Mokefane said the partnership’s approach is straightforward: capacitate first, then finance, building businesses that are ready for…
More than four decades after pioneering conservation tourism in Botswana, Wilderness continues to demonstrate how long-term investment in people, protected areas and local enterprise can generate lasting value for both communities and conservation. The latest Wilderness Botswana Impact Report highlights the company’s contributions over the past decade, with more than BWP853 million paid to Government, BWP70 million paid directly to neighbouring communities, nearly BWP1.3 billion paid to staff, and almost BWP2 billion spent on locally sourced goods and services. Today, 960 people are employed across Wilderness Botswana’s operations, with 98% of these being citizens, while tourism revenue continues to help support the…
Dumela Creative Stock, the digital marketplace created to connect African creative content with audiences and markets around the world, is returning with a renewed commitment to supporting Botswana’s growing creative economy and giving local creatives greater access to digital markets. Originally launched in Botswana as a platform for photographers, videographers and sound creators, Dumela Creative Stock was established in response to a clear gap in the market: the difficulty of finding authentic, relatable African creative content for advertising, media, film and other commercial applications. The platform was designed not only to provide access to locally relevant content, but also to…
Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) has announced appointments to its board including banking veterans and experts in the diamond industry. The state diamond trader said Yoram Dvash is the Chairman of the newly constituted board. “With an impressive track record spanning global diamond trade, technology, investment and international economic development, Yoram brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to ODC,” the company said. Another addition is Dr. Lesego Molapisi-Conrad, with career spanning sustainability, energy security, environmental management and innovation. Molapisi-Conrad is also a respected leader in sustainable development. She has been credited with playing a pivotal role in shaping sustainability…
For the first time since opening in 1991, Wilderness Mombo – the legendary flagship camp on Chief’s Island in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve – is inviting guests to experience its wildlife-rich floodplains from both land and water. Wilderness Mombo has set the benchmark for exceptional wildlife viewing in Botswana, prized for its nutrient-rich floodplains that draw an abundance of prey species, and some of the highest predator densities on the continent – though, until now, always from the seat of a 4×4. As part of the Moremi Game Reserve, the camp’s Chief’s Island private traversing area has historically been governed by…