Lisbon, Sept. 8, 2026 (Lusa) - The presidents of Angola and Botswana reaffirmed on Tuesday their determination to join forces to promote the value of natural diamonds amid the emerging challenge posed by synthetic diamonds, a foundation of both countries' wealth.
Recognised as Africa's largest diamond producers and among the world's leading producers, both identified this as a priority for bilateral cooperation, the reason for a three-day state visit to Angola by the president of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko.
In their joint statement, the two heads of state emphasised their collaboration in the diamond industry.
Angola's President João Lourenço stressed that «Angola and Botswana are the largest producers on the [African] continent and among the world's largest producers of natural diamonds – ‘the real diamond', as the Botswanan Head of State put it.» «But this industry, which brings us significant revenue, faces a new challenge from the sudden emergence of so-called synthetic diamonds, which are laboratory-grown and do not come from nature,» said João Lourenço.
«They are cheaper and, because they are cheaper, demand for these synthetic diamonds ends up being so high that it seriously threatens the trade in our diamonds,» he added, noting that China is the world's largest producer of synthetic diamonds.
«We will work hand in hand to seek to continue adding value to our diamonds, given that they provide employment for our people and our young people, and generate revenue to be invested in social programmes, health, education and infrastructure, so that we can develop our countries,» he declared.
Duma Gideon Boko indicated that Botswana «is focused on a robust marketing campaign» to show that what it offers «is something of value».
On its position in the global market, Angola reiterated its interest in becoming a shareholder in The Beers, the British diamond mining and trading company.
«We are working with all stakeholders, particularly Botswana, which is already a shareholder. Any agreements we reach with Botswana will help Angola achieve its objective of holding a (…) significant stake in The Beers' share capital,» said João Lourenço.
This will be a way of «better controlling not only the production but also the marketing of natural diamonds», he added.
The president of Botswana assured Angola of his country's commitment to supporting it, but said negotiations over membership in The Beers are «sensitive and delicate» and that developments will be announced in due course.
Duma Gideon Boko expressed his country's interest in becoming a shareholder in the major Lobito refinery project in Angola, to which his Angolan counterpart replied that «Botswana can join whenever it wishes, at any time».
The meeting also saw the signing of two cooperation agreements and a memorandum of understanding, which ministerial delegations had prepared at previous meetings. These cover cooperation in defence, oil and energy, and livestock farming.
Botswana is one of the leading producers and exporters of beef, a position of interest to Angola, as noted by João Lourenço, who also highlighted bilateral cooperation «in the field of conservation tourism, within the framework of the major transnational project known as CASA, which encompasses several countries», such as Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Whilst still in Angola, Boko is taking part in the Angola-Botswana Business and Economic Forum, alongside representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries, to identify new investment opportunities, business partnerships and ways to expand bilateral trade relations.
On Wednesday, Boko will travel to Benguela province, where he will visit the Lobito Refinery.
In the political and diplomatic sphere, the two countries share convergent positions on issues relating to peace, security and stability in Southern Africa, particularly within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional organisation of which both are members.
HFI/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
