Minister Kenewendo Tours DBGSS Facility, Spotlighting Diamonds, Innovation and Local Enterprise. De Beers Group Global Sightholder Sales (DBGSS) welcomed Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honourable Ms. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, and her leadership team for a strategic familiarization tour of its state-of-the-art diamond sales facility in Gaborone.
The visit provided an in-depth look at DBGSS’s operations within the global diamond value chain, while also highlighting the company’s investments in technology, sustainability, and local business development. Minister Kenewendo was introduced to several components of the diamond lifecycle, including the aggregation of goods and the careful handling of unique and high-value stones.
A key highlight of the tour was the introduction to Tracr, De Beers’ pioneering blockchain platform that enhances the traceability and provenance of natural diamonds. This technological advancement ensures greater transparency and consumer confidence in the sourcing of diamonds—a crucial factor in modern sustainable mining practices.
Beyond the diamond trade, the visit included a dialogue with members of the Stanford Seed Transformation Program Network—local entrepreneurs whose businesses have been empowered through De Beers’ partnership with the Stanford Graduate School of Business. These leaders shared how the program has helped them scale their operations, contribute to economic diversification, and create employment opportunities within Botswana.
Minister Kenewendo commended the synergy between technological innovation and community investment showcased during the tour, reinforcing the broader vision of building a resilient, inclusive economy anchored by responsible resource development.
