Botswana wins bid to host KP

Botswana has won the bid to host the permanent secretariat of the Kimberley Process (KP), a coalition of governments, civil societies and the diamond industry, which ensures “conflict diamonds” don’t enter the mainstream diamond market.

Conflict diamonds are the diamonds used to fund rebel groups seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

Five KP members initially expressed interest to host it before the list was whittled down to three, with Botswana, China and Austria in contention.

KP said in a statement on Monday it had unanimously elected Botswana to host the secretariat, which is expected to become operational by 2024. The 85-nation body was established in 2003 to eliminate trade in conflict diamonds. The development is seen as recognition of the country’s exemplary way of managing its natural resources.

Since assuming the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been on a mission to ensure that Botswana plays a more prominent role in the industry as the number one player Russia faces international outrage following its invasion of Ukraine. The ultimate plan, he has shared is to make Botswana a diamond power house with African countries to selling their diamonds through the government owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC).

Botswana is the world’s top diamond producer in terms of value and second in terms of volume behind Russia.