Botswana to Become Second G7 Diamond Node
November 27, 24
(IDEX Online) - A second verification point for rough diamonds is to be established in Botswana to ensure sanctioned Russian goods do not enter G7 countries.
And there are moves to set up further nodes, or verification points, in Namibia, Angola and other African diamond-producing countries.
The European Commission (EC) announced the Botswana node today (27 November), to coincide with the Facets 2024 conference of diamond industry leaders in Antwerp.
Antwerp has operated as the sole verification point for rough goods entering the G7 (and the EU) countries since 1 March.
That was despite widespread concerns from almost all quarters over delays and additional expenses, including the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) which was tasked with administering the checks.
The new Botswana verification point will open some time next year, said the EC in a statement.
Experts from the G7 diamond technical team and from the AWDC, which jointly runs the Belgian Diamond Office, where all diamond imports are checked, have been collaborating with Botswana on the new node.
"The Belgian Diamond Office … is globally recognized as the benchmark for transparency—a role we take immense pride in," said Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC.
"We are now sharing this carefully built knowledge and technical expertise with other countries like Botswana. Essentially, we are offering a blueprint that meets today's requirements for compliance and transparency."
The EC said the new verification point should increase investor confidence, support economic growth, and promote ethical practices across the diamond supply chain.
It also said the G7 diamond technical team would "continue engaging with other African diamond-producing countries such as Namibia and Angola to consider setting up additional export certification nodes".
Pic courtesy AWDC