Botswana Diamond Production Rises After Two Lost Years
Debswana will lift diamond production from 15 million to 18 million carats this year, betting on a market recovery after two years of shrinking growth in diamond-dependent Botswana. The post Botswana Diamond Production Rises After Two Lost Years appeared first on The Rio Times .
Botswana experienced a two-year recession as the global demand for diamonds plummeted. The economy contracted by 2.8% in 2024 and another 0.7% in 2025, as reported by the national statistics office. The severe downturn marked the fourth quarter of 2025, where the mining and quarrying sector declined by 47.0%, and diamond production dropped by 54.6%.
However, the first quarter of 2026 saw a resurgence, with mining output increasing by 3.4% and diamond production rising to 4,886 thousand carats, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Debswana, the diamond joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is responsible for producing around 90% of the country's diamonds.
The joint venture aims to boost production to approximately 18 million carats in 2026, up from 15 million carats in 2025. Copper concentrates also saw a 15.1% year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2026. Unemployment remains high, with the national unemployment rate at 27.6% and youth unemployment at 38.2%. The government is considering a competitive process among potential bidders to acquire the 85% stake in De Beers, which it currently holds.
This move could shift marketing power towards the state and impact Botswana's long-term economic growth in the future.
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