Is Botswana Getting A Raw Deal From De Beers Diamonds - The World News ~upd~ Jun 2026
While rough diamonds are now aggregated in Botswana, the local cutting and polishing industry struggles to compete with established hubs in India and Israel. Critics argue that De Beers protects its traditional supply chains, leaving Botswana with the low-margin work of sorting while high-margin manufacturing remains offshore. The "raw deal" narrative suggests that Botswana is doing the heavy lifting of extraction while the true wealth generation happens elsewhere.
While this looks like a win on paper, critics argue that the deal focuses on a "sunset industry." The Lab-Grown Threat While rough diamonds are now aggregated in Botswana,
Here is where the friction lies:
What do you think? Should resource-rich nations control their own diamond destiny? Join the conversation in the comments below. While this looks like a win on paper,
The diamond industry has had a significant impact on Botswana's economy. The industry has created thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, and has generated significant revenue for the government. However, critics argue that the industry has also had a negative impact on the country's economy. The diamond industry has had a significant impact
Is Botswana getting a raw deal? The answer is nuanced. Compared to other mineral-rich nations in Africa, Botswana has secured an exceptionally favorable arrangement. However, in the context of modern ESG standards and the rise of synthetic competitors, the "old" way of doing business is no longer enough.
Reporting from Gaborone, The World News.