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Botswana

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

Against a backdrop of tensions among company heads, Rafael Papismedov and Shai De Toledo have stepped down from their management roles. They now have their sights on setting up a new company in the same sector in southern Africa.

Subscribers only Mining 06.05.2025

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

Former President Mokgweetsi Masisi blames his successor, Duma Boko, for accepting clauses in the diamond distribution agreement that are less favourable to the state.

Subscribers only Mining 15.04.2025

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

The Southern Africa Development Community has come out in support of the Madagascan Richard Randriamandrato for the position of chairperson.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 14.02.2025

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

Minister of Mineral and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo with De Beers CEO Al Cook in Cape Town, South Africa, 3 February 2025. © Esa Alexander/Reuters

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 10.02.2025

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Madagascan counterpart Andry Rajoelina at the 19th Summit of the Francophonie in Villers-Cotterets, France, 24 October 2024. © Ludovic Marin/AFP

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

The French head of state is due to attend an Indian Ocean Commission summit in Madagascar in April, and may also visit the islands of La Réunion and Mauritius.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 28.01.2025

Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson at the African Mining Indaba 2022 conference in Cape Town, South Africa, 11 May 2022. © Shelley Christians/Reuters

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

The world leader in coloured gemstones has scaled back operations in Zambia and Mozambique after disappointing auctions. In Madagascar, the British group is no longer welcome in the sapphire sector after it brought a corruption case against an adviser to Andry Rajoelina.

Subscribers only Mining 21.01.2025

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Worried about the future of their partnership with Gaborone, which was secretly negotiated with former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, the directors of HB Antwerp, who have not yet been able to meet the new head of state, are launching their media campaign in Gaborone.

Subscribers only Mining 17.01.2025

Botswanan President Duma Boko in Harare, Zimbabwe, 20 November 2024.

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

The bosses of diamond giant De Beers, which operates mines in Botswana, have had an initial meeting with the country's new leader and are delighted with the political changeover. But the state's deal with HB Antwerp, which wanted to market the country's precious stones, appears to be in jeopardy.

Subscribers only Mining 20.11.2024

Duma Boko at the Mass Media Complex in Gaborone, 1 November 2024.

Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores IMF's advice and keeps splurging ahead of polls

Botswana's president hopes to be returned to office this week. In the run-up to the 30 October elections, he has ordered spending taps to be kept open despite budgetary red flags and falling revenues in the diamond sector.

Subscribers only Mining 29.10.2024

Mokgweetsi Masisi during the presidential debate in Gaborone on 24 October 2024.

In Focus
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Botswana, the source of most of De Beers's diamonds, is challenging the diamond giant by favouring an Antwerp start-up to cut and market its stones. Meanwhile, its parent company Anglo American has put the group up for sale, to little interest.

Subscribers only Mining 30.09.2024

All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

After two years of negotiations, the trading deal is set to be signed next month.

Subscribers only Mining 20.06.2024

BHP boss flies into Johannesburg to defend Anglo American takeover

Mike Henry met government officials and investors to win support for his plan, which does not cover Anglo American's South African iron ore and platinum interests.

Subscribers only Mining 09.05.2024

BHP Group CEO Mike Henry on 14 November 2019 in Victoria (Australia).

Kimberley Process secretariat moves into Gaborone offices at last

One of the most pressing issues facing the certification body's new executive secretary, Bojun Tang, will be the issue of Russian diamonds.

Free access Mining 26.04.2024

UN peacekeeping chief to talk DRC on SADC tour

Jean-Pierre Lacroix will begin a tour of three SADC countries on 21 April.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 19.04.2024

China Minmetals invests heavily in Khoemacau copper mine

In March, the MMG subsidiary finalised its $1.73bn takeover of Cuprous Capital, owner of the Khoemacau copper mine in northern Botswana. This is the largest investment made by a Chinese company in the country.

Subscribers only Mining 05.04.2024

Renewal of Shabtai's diamond permit runs into opposition in president's party

A number of BDP members in the National Assembly are contesting the government's decision to renew Israeli business tycoon Gilad Shabtai's operating rights at the Lerala Diamond Mine.

Subscribers only Mining 11.03.2024

De Beers' last negotiation points for Gaborone deal could undercut HB Antwerp

In its most recent talks over a new deal with the Gaborone government, the diamond giant is negotiating to set the increase of the state's share of rough diamonds against high performance targets. That could hamper the Belgian trader's rise in the country as it has to back the government.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 13.02.2024

HB Antwerp nears diamond marketing deal with Gaborone

Announced last March (AI, 22/03/23), the Botswanan government's plans to [...]

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 24.01.2024

Oscar Motsumi, the rising star of Masisi's coal policy

Extraction at Botswama's main coal mine has been entrusted to a domestic consortium, again demonstrating President Mokgweetsi Masisi's desire to promote local groups in the sector.

Subscribers only Mining 10.01.2024

Gaborone pressures Lucara Diamonds to re-engage with HB Antwerp

President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his mines minister are refusing to approve the termination of a distribution partnership between the Canadian miner and the Belgian trader, in which the Botswanan state is preparing to take a 24% stake.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 06.12.2023

Saudi Arabia lays groundwork for embassy openings in SADC

The majority of UAE embassies to be opened in 2024 in Africa will be located in the Southern African Development Community.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 04.12.2023

Junior minister Zacharopoulou to visit Maputo, Lusaka and Lilongwe

France's Minister of State for Development, the Francophonie and International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou will be touring Southern Africa in mid-December.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 01.12.2023

Russian diamonds row paralyses Kimberley Process annual meeting

The annual meeting of the international certification body was split on whether or not Russian diamonds should be considered as conflict diamonds. The stalemate prevented the organisation from appointing a new secretary general and setting up its secretariat in Gaborone.

Subscribers only Mining 21.11.2023

Gaborone drafts new mining rules to boost local players

The Botswana government is drafting a revision of the mining act that offers new opportunities to domestic players. It will be presented to parliament by the end of 2023.

Subscribers only Mining 16.11.2023

Claudia da Conceicao, the woman behind IFC's Southern Africa goals

The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's private sector arm, wants to build its presence in Southern Africa to counter Chinese influence and win new projects in the region. To that end, it has called on banking sector veteran, Claudia da Conceicao.

Free access Finance 07.11.2023

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Namibia
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Nigeria
The latest secrets of a $10bn legal scandal between Abuja and London

Botswana

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores IMF's advice and keeps splurging ahead of polls

In Focus
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

BHP boss flies into Johannesburg to defend Anglo American takeover

Kimberley Process secretariat moves into Gaborone offices at last

UN peacekeeping chief to talk DRC on SADC tour

China Minmetals invests heavily in Khoemacau copper mine

Renewal of Shabtai's diamond permit runs into opposition in president's party

De Beers' last negotiation points for Gaborone deal could undercut HB Antwerp

HB Antwerp nears diamond marketing deal with Gaborone

Oscar Motsumi, the rising star of Masisi's coal policy

Gaborone pressures Lucara Diamonds to re-engage with HB Antwerp

Saudi Arabia lays groundwork for embassy openings in SADC

Junior minister Zacharopoulou to visit Maputo, Lusaka and Lilongwe

Russian diamonds row paralyses Kimberley Process annual meeting

Gaborone drafts new mining rules to boost local players

Claudia da Conceicao, the woman behind IFC's Southern Africa goals

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About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Botswana

Two of HB Antwerp's cofounders shake diamond industry with resignation

De Beers diamond deal far from sparkling, says ex-President Masisi

SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate

Botswana Democratic Party takes government to task over new De Beers deal

Spotlight Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Diamond trader HB Antwerp's charm offensive with President Boko

Spotlight President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores IMF's advice and keeps splurging ahead of polls

In Focus From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

BHP boss flies into Johannesburg to defend Anglo American takeover

Kimberley Process secretariat moves into Gaborone offices at last

UN peacekeeping chief to talk DRC on SADC tour

China Minmetals invests heavily in Khoemacau copper mine

Renewal of Shabtai's diamond permit runs into opposition in president's party

De Beers' last negotiation points for Gaborone deal could undercut HB Antwerp

HB Antwerp nears diamond marketing deal with Gaborone

Oscar Motsumi, the rising star of Masisi's coal policy

Gaborone pressures Lucara Diamonds to re-engage with HB Antwerp

Saudi Arabia lays groundwork for embassy openings in SADC

Junior minister Zacharopoulou to visit Maputo, Lusaka and Lilongwe

Russian diamonds row paralyses Kimberley Process annual meeting

Gaborone drafts new mining rules to boost local players

Claudia da Conceicao, the woman behind IFC's Southern Africa goals

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Namibia
Namibia oil utopia hangs on TotalEnergies' final investment decision

Nigeria
The latest secrets of a $10bn legal scandal between Abuja and London

Spotlight
Macron sets course for Indian Ocean's southern islands

Spotlight
Gemfields scales back emerald and ruby ambitions in southern Africa

Spotlight
President Boko's election reshuffles cards in diamond industry

In Focus
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?