Botswana Eyes Bigger Regional Role in Diamond Industry Through Lesotho Partnership

Botswana Eyes Bigger Regional Role in Diamond Industry Through Lesotho Partnership. Botswana is looking to strengthen its position as a regional centre for diamond sorting, valuation and beneficiation by offering its expertise to help unlock greater value from diamonds produced in neighbouring Lesotho.

The vision was highlighted during Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane’s visit to Diamond Trading Company Botswana on June 18. The visit formed part of Botswana and Lesotho’s bilateral engagements hosted by Duma Gideon Boko.

Speaking during the tour, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo said the visit extended beyond diplomatic relations and reflected a wider regional industrial strategy. According to Kenewendo, the objective is to retain more value from Southern Africa’s mineral resources within the region rather than exporting raw materials with limited local processing.

Botswana has built a strong reputation in the global diamond industry through its experience in sorting, valuing and processing diamonds. By sharing this expertise, the country hopes to support neighbouring Lesotho in increasing the value derived from its diamond production while strengthening regional cooperation.

The engagement also highlights growing efforts by Southern African countries to collaborate more closely in developing mineral industries that create greater economic benefits locally. Beneficiation, which involves processing raw minerals before export, has become an important priority for several governments seeking to expand industrial capacity, create jobs and increase returns from natural resources.

The visit to DTC Botswana provided delegates with an opportunity to observe Botswana’s established diamond processing operations and exchange ideas on how regional partnerships could contribute to the long-term development of the diamond sector.