Also known as: De Beers Group · De Beers Marine Namibia
Diamond producer and marketing firm undergoing sale by Anglo American amid competition from synthetic diamonds and declining valuations.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
De Beers is the global diamond partner in government agreement under which Namdia was established
“The entity, which trades as a private company, was established to market Namibia's diamonds independently as part of a price discovery exercise under an agreement between the government and its partner, the global diamond giant De Beers.”
Namdia employee arrested in diamond heist caseThe Namibian
De Beers pledged to contribute 1% of annual rough diamond revenue to global marketing campaign
“The meeting resulted in the signing of the Luanda Accord, where these diamond-producing countries, alongside the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and De Beers, pledged to contribute 1% of annual rough diamond revenue to a global marketing campaign led by the Natural Diamond Council.”
Diamonds Are Not ForeverThe Namibian
De Beers has a 50/50 deal with the government
“"Renegotiate all mining deals for the state to own not less than a 50% stake in all mining activities similar to the De Beers and government's 50/50 deal," the manifesto reads.”
LPM calls for 71% youth leadership and 50% state-owned miningThe Namibian
De Beers has been mining diamonds in Namibia for decades before joint venture
“That De Beers has been mining diamonds in Namibia for decades before the joint venture was set might explain its instant success.”
Of State Shareholding in OilThe Namibian
De Beers had stolen from 631 unpolished diamonds from mining vessels
“SIX hundred and thirty one unpolished diamonds have been stolen from De Beers Marine Namibia mining vessels off the Oranjemund coast.”
631 diamonds stolen from mining vesselsThe Namibian
De Beers was spotted in Moscow doing deals with Russian diamond companies
“Yes, there were the odd stories about the South African diamond giant – De Beers – being spotted at the ballet in Moscow doing deals with Russian diamond companies, but this was seen as a small aberration.”
Apartheid, guns and money: Cold War secrets revealedThe Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy dismissed reports that Namibia has lost its bid to acquire a stake in De Beers, calling circulating information "misleading and incorrect," after Botswana's minister said Anglo American had selected the Global Diamond Consortium as its preferred bidder for the diamond producer's sale.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy dismissed reports that Namibia has lost its bid to acquire a stake in De Beers, calling circulating information "misleading and incorrect," after Botswana's minister said Anglo American had selected the Global Diamond Consortium as its preferred bidder for the diamond producer's sale.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
De Beers intends to pause production at the Venetia mine in South Africa for two years to reduce costs and rephase capital expenditure on its underground project, while investing in critical infrastructure to enhance capacity and efficiency. The company will support impacted employees and continue community commitments as it manages the pause.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Anglo American PLC reported that its total tax and economic contribution in Namibia fell 21% to US$432 million (N$7.11 billion) in 2025, compared with US$545 million (N$8.97 billion) in 2024, with declines across wages, procurement, capital expenditure, and tax contributions.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Botswana President Duma Boko said the country is seeking an investment partner from the UAE and Oman to acquire a strategic stake in De Beers as Anglo American sells its 85% stake in the diamond producer. Botswana already owns 15% of De Beers and is also engaging with Namibia and Angola to explore alliances to increase its holding.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
De Beers CEO Al Cook says the company's sale could be completed within weeks, with governments including Namibia, Botswana and Angola, and industry investors expressing interest in acquiring stakes. Cook envisions the company's future as a public-private partnership combining governments and private investors.
19 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
De Beers' latest US Diamond Acquisition Study finds Gen Z consumers spend an average of US$4,080 per natural diamond jewellery purchase, nearly double Baby Boomers' US$2,250, and account for 23% of natural diamond demand value despite representing only 18% of the population. Natural diamonds remain the most sought-after luxury jewellery product in the US, with average purchase prices reaching record highs.
19 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government is considering spending up to N$3 billion to buy a stake in De Beers, reportedly partnering with Angola and Botswana, which already hold 15% of the diamond company. The deal follows Anglo American's decision to exit De Beers and sell its 85% stake, with De Beers' valuation dropping significantly from N$65.7 billion to N$6.9 billion.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
De Beers Group has intensified efforts to boost demand for natural diamonds through a new phase of its global 'Desert Diamonds' marketing campaign, aiming to distinguish natural stones from synthetic alternatives and capitalize on growing consumer interest. Namibia produced 556,000 carats in the first quarter ending 31 March 2026, and diamonds remain critical to the country's economy.
5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government's proposed 51% local ownership requirement for future mining licences has strained relations with the Chamber of Mines, which raised concerns about investor confidence and capital flight. The article argues that while foreign investment is important to the mining sector, Namibia's minerals belong first to Namibians and the country must balance competing interests.
27 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Natural diamonds face pressure from cheaper laboratory-grown synthetics, prompting African producers, particularly Botswana, to withhold inventory from the market to signal scarcity and protect long-term value rather than compete on depressed prices.
26 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Green Metals Refining has appointed seasoned mining and banking executive Fabian Shaanika to the board of its Namibian subsidiary Kudu Chemicals, which is developing a sulphuric acid plant at Walvis Bay for battery-grade manganese chemical production.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Revenue Agency has called a meeting at its Windhoek head office to address legal compliance and governance challenges in the transfer of mineral and petroleum licences and company shares, bringing together regulators, policymakers, tax officials, industry representatives and taxpayers. Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has criticised the regulatory framework, saying mineral rights are not adequately treated as state assets and arguing that many mineral companies employ tax avoidance schemes that result in profits leaving Namibia.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Debmarine Namibia is pursuing brand-building and consumer education to protect the natural diamond industry as synthetic diamonds devalue the market and reduce consumer appetite. The strategy comes as De Beers' valuation has plummeted from US$4.1 billion to US$2.3 billion, potentially affecting Namibia's funding for schools, hospitals, roads and social programmes.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with multiple delegations at State House over the past week, including a De Beers delegation led by CEO Al Cook, the PDM party led by McHenry Venaani, NEFF and Nudo delegations, the Brave Gladiators after their 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship victory, and Namibia International Energy Conference founder Selma Shimutwikeni.
11 March 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Botswana, the world's second-largest diamond producer, faces mounting pressure from the rise of cheaper synthetic diamonds (now accounting for one-fifth of the global market) and US tariffs disrupting diamond polishing, threatening an economy where diamonds comprise 80% of exports and contribute a quarter of GDP. The country's economy shrank 3% in 2024 as output from state-owned Debswana fell 39% between 2023 and 2025, forcing mine closures and workforce reductions that ripple through dependent towns like Jwaneng.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah received a delegation from De Beers Group led by CEO Al Cook to discuss the future of Namibia's diamond industry, including challenges from lab-grown diamonds and opportunities to strengthen the longstanding partnership.
28 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and De Beers Group CEO Al Cook met to address pressures facing Namibia's diamond industry, including competition from lab-grown diamonds, market volatility, and structural weaknesses. De Beers is launching a "Desert Diamonds" marketing campaign to differentiate natural diamonds from synthetics and educate consumers globally about Namibian diamonds' value and origin.
27 February 2026 · New Era →
Anglo American's sharp devaluation of De Beers to US$2.3 billion reflects the diamond industry's struggles amid competition from lab-grown diamonds, which threatens Namibia's fiscal health since diamonds fund schools, hospitals and roads. Experts debate whether Namibia should invest in the sector as Anglo American seeks buyers, with some warning the industry faces long-term decline.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women with entrepreneurial skills through the EntreprenHER programme, funded by UN Women, which provides digital and financial literacy training to support women micro-entrepreneurs. The programme, now in its third phase across Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, has supported over 2,400 women-owned micro-enterprises, with the ministry now exploring partnerships to advance to phase four.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women in entrepreneurial skills via the EntreprenHER programme, which provides digital and financial literacy training and market access support. The UN-funded initiative, now in phase 3, has supported over 2,400 micro-enterprises across Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana, with the ministry exploring partnerships for further expansion.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector faces a 30-year legal vacuum in gas-related legislation and internal corruption scandals at Namcor, even as offshore exploration has confirmed 21 billion barrels of crude and significant gas deposits. A power struggle between resource nationalists and business factions over control of the industry has intensified following President Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment and her move to centralise upstream petroleum functions in the Office of the President.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy said the country remains committed to working with other African diamond producers and reaffirmed partnerships with De Beers and the Natural Diamond Council to address industry challenges and advance a unified continental strategy for marketing natural diamonds globally.
10 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia will participate in the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town in February to attract investors and development partners to its mining sector. The country will host two investment-focused sessions highlighting its stable mining environment, mineral resources including uranium and diamonds, and projects seeking support for exploration, processing and value addition.
7 February 2026 · New Era →
A Namib Desert Diamonds employee has been arrested in connection with a diamond heist at the company's offices on 18 January 2025, bringing the total number of arrested employees to four. Diamonds valued at N$314.9 million were stolen in the robbery, which left two employees dead; N$40.6 million worth has so far been recovered.
16 January 2026 · New Era →