In recent years, the Botswana government has taken steps to renegotiate its revenue sharing agreement with De Beers. In 2020, the government announced a new 10-year agreement, which includes a higher revenue share for the government and increased investment in local communities.
The discussion surrounding whether Botswana is getting a "raw deal" from has shifted significantly following the formal signing of a new partnership agreement in February 2025 . While historical sentiments—including those from former President Masisi—suggested Botswana was previously undervalued, the current consensus under President Duma Boko leans toward a more balanced, "transformational" relationship. Recent Developments (as of April 2026) In recent years, the Botswana government has taken
Botswana Diamond Glut Crisis Hits 12M Carats in 2026 - Discovery Alert Botswana wants the right to sell its own
So, what can be done to ensure that Botswana gets a fair deal from De Beers diamonds? Here are a few suggestions: and Namibia before being sold.
Currently, diamonds from Botswana are often mixed with stones from South Africa, Canada, and Namibia before being sold. Botswana wants the right to sell its own stones independently—specifically through the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) . De Beers is resisting, arguing that aggregation allows for better pricing consistency.