Botswana is seeking to position itself as a regional hub for diamond sorting, valuation and beneficiation, offering its established expertise to help create more value from diamonds produced in neighbouring Lesotho.
The ambition was outlined during Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane’s visit to Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC Botswana) on June 18, as part of the Botswana–Lesotho bilateral engagements hosted by President Duma Gideon Boko.
Addressing delegates during the tour, Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Joy Kenewendo said the visit represented more than a diplomatic engagement, describing it as part of a broader regional industrial strategy aimed at retaining more mineral value within Southern Africa.
Welcoming the delegation to DTC Botswana, which she described as “the most extensive and sophisticated rough diamond sorting and valuation enterprise globally,” Kenewendo highlighted Botswana’s established capabilities across the natural diamond value chain and its potential to support regional cooperation.
“As some of you may know, regional beneficiation can unlock significant value by transforming raw materials into high-value finished products locally, creating jobs, fostering technological innovation, and strengthening our positions in the global market,” she said.
Her remarks pointed to opportunities to combine Lesotho’s internationally recognised production of high-value rough diamonds with Botswana’s expertise in sorting, valuation and other beneficiation services.
Lesotho has built a global reputation for producing some of the world’s highest-value gem-quality diamonds by price per carat. Referring to operations including Lets’eng, Liqhobong, Kao, Kolo and Mothae, Kenewendo said the Kingdom continues to supply exceptional stones to international markets.
“Lesotho stands shoulder to shoulder with Botswana’s natural diamond industry,” she said, citing discoveries such as the 910-carat Lesotho Legend, the 603-carat Lesotho Promise and the rare 108-carat pink diamond.
Drawing parallels between the two countries’ mineral sectors, Kenewendo said closer collaboration could strengthen industrial development and improve long-term economic resilience.
“From the famed Orapa and Jwaneng mines to Lets’eng and Mothae, the natural diamond sectors of our countries present a wealth of opportunity,” she said.
“These assets not only symbolize economic potential but also represent a foundation upon which our nations can build substantial and sustainable growth.”
She said regional cooperation should extend beyond mining to the development of integrated mineral value chains.
“In this regard, I wish to emphasize the potential of joint initiatives aimed at creating resilient regional supply chains for minerals and energy products.”
Kenewendo argued that the next phase of competitiveness for the region would depend not only on extracting minerals but also on expanding beneficiation, strengthening industrial capability and developing cross-border value chains.
“Building on these foundations, we can develop integrated infrastructure, strengthen resource-sharing mechanisms, and promote mutual benefits, heralding a new era of regional cooperation.”
The visit reinforces growing economic cooperation between Botswana and Lesotho while supporting Botswana’s ambition to become not only one of the world’s leading diamond producers but also a regional centre for diamond sorting, valuation and other value-added services.
