Botswana government and De Beers Group have announced that former president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been appointed as the Diamonds for Development Fund’s chairperson.
Dr. Adesina is a widely respected global leader and renowned development economist with close to 40 years of experience in global and African development issues. He was the eighth elected President of the AfDB, first elected to the position in 2015, and re-elected for a second term in 2020. He ended his second term as President of the Bank in September 2025.
He has also received widespread international recognition for his achievements, having been awarded Forbes Africa Person of the Year for 2013 and 2019, and Africa’s Man of the Year 2022 by the EMY Africa. He has also been consistently ranked among the 100 Most Influential Africans by the New Africa Magazine and was listed among the 100 most reputable people in the world by leading reputation management firm, Reputation Poll International.
Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, said they were honoured to have Dr Adesina join the Diamonds for Development Fund as Chairperson.
“His appointment solidifies the position of the Government of the Republic of Botswana to maximise the value of Botswana diamonds as an anchor for economic transformation, diversification, innovation, beneficiation and citizen participation in the diamond value chain,” Kenewendo stated. “We draw inspiration from Dr Adesina’s achievements as an internationally accomplished reformer of strategic sectors and look forward to his impactful influence in the delivery of the Fund’s bold mandate.”
For his part, CEO of De Beers Group, Al Cook, said: “When we set up the groundbreaking Diamonds for Development Fund with the Botswana Government, we knew that we would need an extraordinary leader to achieve our ambition of economic diversification and job creation. In Dr Adesina, I am confident we have found just that person. His track record in African development is outstanding, and his global network, commitment to strong governance, and understanding of the Fund’s priorities make him the right chair to shape the Fund’s support for Botswana’s long-term economic objectives. He is a man characterised by deep integrity and outstanding delivery, and I very much look forward to seeing him steer Diamonds for Development in the years to come.”
Adesina said he was greatly honoured to be appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Diamonds for Development Fund by the Government of Botswana and De Beers Group. He will formally assume his new role on 15 June 2026. The Diamonds for Development Fund is now in the process of finalising the appointment of independent directors to it’s board as the vital next step in making the Fund operational.