Debswana, Botswana’s leading diamond mining company, has announced a new initiative to train citizens in diamond manufacturing as part of its commitment to developing local skills and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the diamond value chain. The move is seen as a strategic step toward economic diversification and empowerment, particularly in light of the global challenges currently affecting the mining sector.
Speaking at a recent stakeholder engagement, Debswana’s Deputy Managing Director, Koolatotse Koolatotse, highlighted the importance of citizen participation in the diamond industry beyond extraction. He noted that while the sector is experiencing a downturn, it still presents untapped opportunities for skills development and job creation within Botswana.
“The current poor performance of the global diamond sector should not deter us. Instead, it calls for strategic investment in our people,” Koolatotse said. “We intend to build a pipeline of skilled Batswana who can take up roles in diamond manufacturing and other technical areas along the value chain.”
Diamond manufacturing involves cutting, polishing, and preparing raw diamonds for export and retail. Botswana, one of the world’s top diamond producers, has historically focused on mining, with a limited number of citizens participating in downstream processes. Debswana’s new focus aims to change that by equipping citizens with high-value technical skills that can translate into long-term employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Koolatotse also revealed that Debswana will be partnering with local companies to provide services to the mine, creating further opportunities for citizen-owned businesses to thrive. By subcontracting services such as transport, catering, engineering, and maintenance to local enterprises, the company hopes to empower more Batswana to actively participate in the mining economy.
“This is not just about training individuals; it’s about creating a more inclusive industry,” he said. “By supporting local businesses, we are stimulating economic activity and keeping more of the diamond wealth circulating within our communities.”
The initiative aligns with Botswana’s broader national agenda of citizen economic empowerment and value addition in the natural resources sector. It also reflects Debswana’s evolving role as not just a mining company, but a development partner committed to inclusive growth.
As preparations begin for the rollout of training programmes and contractor partnerships, many are hopeful that Debswana’s move will usher in a new era of local participation in Botswana’s diamond story—one where citizens are not just workers, but owners, innovators, and leaders in the industry.
