EDITORIAL: Namibia cannot afford to miss its diamond moment

Namibia stands at a crossroads, and the path we choose now will define our diamond industry – and our future – for decades. The government’s decision to explore a stake in the De Beers Group, alongside Angola and Botswana, is not just a business transaction. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. To hesitate is to hand our destiny to others.

Anglo American’s sale of its 85% stake in De Beers is a rare opening.

For Botswana, De Beers is a crown jewel; for Angola, a strategic asset. Namibia must ensure it is not the outsider, watching while its neighbours take the spoils from our ocean and land. This is not about politics. It is about securing our rightful place in an industry that belongs to Namibians.

A stake in De Beers is more than profit. It is access – access to cutting-edge mining technologies, global distribution networks and expertise that could transform our entire mining sector. With this transaction, Namibia can leapfrog decades of technological lag in a single move. These are tools to grow our economy, create jobs and build skills for generations.

Critics talk about diamond price volatility or synthetic alternatives. The reality is that natural diamonds remain indispensable – in medicine, aerospace and high-tech industries. Owning a piece of De Beers is about influence, strategy and securing a seat at the table where global decisions are made.

Collaboration with Angola and Botswana under the Luanda Accord is smart. None of us alone can claim a controlling stake, but together we can safeguard southern Africa’s interests while asserting the value of natural diamonds.

Namibia cannot afford indecision. The opportunity will not wait. This is more than a stake in a company; it is a stake in our sovereignty, our industry and our future.