First Independent Mena Newspaper
Botswana is racing to finalize a deal for majority control of diamond giant De Beers by the end of October, as President Duma Boko declares the move “a matter of economic sovereignty for Botswana.” The southern African nation, already holding 15% of De Beers, is negotiating with Anglo American, which is divesting its 85% stake […]
US president Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial new tariff policy, imposing sweeping duties on imports from over 180 countries, including 51 African nations. The tariffs, which include a baseline 10% on all imports and higher duties on certain countries, are part of Trump’s strategy to combat what he describes as unfair trade practices that […]
Botswana and South African mining giant De Beers have finalized a landmark 10-year agreement, enhancing the country’s stake in diamond sales and providing a boost to its critical diamond sector. After six years of negotiations, the deal will see Botswana’s share of rough diamond sales rise from 25% to 30% in the first five years, […]
Namibia’s female vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah from the ruling SWAPO party leads — as widely expected — in early results in the presidential election marred by significant problems, amid rising tensions as opposition parties denounce its outcome, seeking legal action. Plagued by significant technical issues, including ballot shortages and other problems, Namibia’s presidential election was […]
Botswana will soon join Antwerp in Belgium to become the second certification center globally to verify the origin of rough diamond for exports to Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries, the nation’s presidency said Thursday (28 November). Following a ban on Russian diamonds issued by the G7 in January this year, Antwerp was selected […]
A seismic political change has transformed Botswana’s political landscape as opposition parties secured a parliamentary majority, ending the Botswana Democratic Party’s 58-year dominance. Early election results indicate opposition groups have captured at least 35 of 61 parliamentary seats, while the ruling party secured just one position. The Umbrella for Democratic Change, led by Harvard-trained lawyer […]
In a discovery that has sent shockwaves through the gemstone world, a massive 2,492-carat diamond has been unearthed in Botswana, potentially claiming the title of the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever found. This extraordinary find has not only captivated diamond enthusiasts but also highlighted Botswana’s growing prominence in the global diamond industry. The gem, recovered from […]
The United States military commander is making a rare trip to Africa for talks on maintaining some of his troops’ presence in West Africa, after US troops were forced to withdraw from Niger and Chad and the Sahel countries’ shift to Russia for security. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown arrived […]
Botswana has ascended to the rank of the top diamond producer globally, unseating sanctions-hit Russia. Most of Botswana’s diamond found in the Orapa diamond deposit is operated by De Beers, a leading diamond company. Following the G7 sanctions on Russia, De Beers moved its auctions to Botswana to streamline its business operations and facilitate the […]
Angered by a proposal in Berlin to restrict the import of hunting trophies, Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany, claiming that, contrary to some misconceptions in Europe, an explosion in the number of the mammals roaming his country has produced a “plague”. In comments published by German tabloid Bild […]