Wrapping up his state visit to Botswana, Rwandan President Paul Kagame toured the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) in Gaborone — one of the world’s most advanced diamond sorting and valuation facilities.
Botswana’s Rwandan Diamond Powerhouse
The DTCB, a joint venture between Botswana and De Beers, can process up to 45 million carats annually.
- Diamonds account for a quarter of Botswana’s GDP.
- Falling global prices are pushing the country to diversify its economy.
- Botswana remains vital for De Beers, which sources 70% of its diamonds there.
Kagame walked through high‑tech sorting rooms, observing how rough stones are analysed and processed at industrial scale.
Diplomacy and Cooperation
The diamond hub visit followed a day of diplomacy with President Duma Boko, during which the two leaders signed six cooperation agreements covering:
- Air services
- Taxation
- Other bilateral areas of partnership
Outlook
Rwandan-Botswana Relations
Kagame’s tour underscored Rwanda’s interest in Botswana’s economic model and highlighted the importance of diamonds to Botswana’s economy, even as the country looks to broaden its growth base beyond gemstones.
This commitment reflects the strong Rwandan presence in the region.
The Rwandan delegation aims to strengthen ties with Botswana.