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AfDB  approves $304 million loan to  Botswana

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $304 million loan to support Botswana’s efforts to stabilise its public finances and implement key economic and governance reforms amid falling diamond revenues.

It marks a critical intervention in the country’s ongoing struggle with fiscal instability, primarily driven by a sharp decline in diamond revenues. This analysis examines the context, intent, and expected impact of the loan, as well as the broader economic challenges facing Botswana.

The loan aims to help Botswana navigate a widening fiscal deficit—expected to hit 6.7% of GDP this year—after the economy shrank by 1.7% in 2024, largely due to subdued global demand for diamonds, which account for around 80% of the country’s exports.

The $304 million loan is structured as a one-year general budget support operation for the 2025/26 fiscal year, under the Governance and Economic Resilience Support Programme (GERSP). The program is designed to address two main objectives:

Strengthening fiscal sustainability and transparency: Measures include boosting domestic revenue collection, curbing illicit financial flows, and enhancing the efficiency and accountability of public spending.

Stimulating inclusive economic growth: The program supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on businesses owned by women and youth, to foster job creation and reduce inequality.

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DiamondBuzz

Natural Diamond Council and Dubai Jewellery Group Host a Successful ‘The   Diamond Dialogue’ in Dubai

Industry leaders come together to discuss opportunities, challenges, and consumer trust in the diamond sector

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Natural Diamond Council (NDC), a global not-for-profit organization collaborating the natural diamond industry and its entire value chain, hosted first-ever edition The Diamond Dialogue in partnership with  Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG). The Diamond Dialogue was a thought-provoking industry roundtable that brought together leading voices from the UAE’s jewellery sector to discuss the evolving landscape of the natural diamond industry.

The session, held in Dubai, brought together key stakeholders, including retailers, industry leaders, and trade experts, for a candid exchange on the current challenges and opportunities shaping the diamond sector. Discussions centered on how the industry can better connect with today’s well-informed yet easily distracted consumer, ensuring that the emotional and enduring value of natural diamonds continues to shine through every interaction.

With the advent of lab-grown diamonds, experts reiterated that knowledge remains the cornerstone of trust and the strength of the diamond community. The dialogue emphasized the importance of clear and transparent communication, helping consumers understand that natural and lab-grown diamonds represent two distinct and parallel markets. Participants collectively agreed that honesty, transparency, and clarity must guide every engagement with consumers.

The session was moderated by Richa Singh, Managing Director – India & Middle East, Natural Diamond Council (NDC), and featured perspectives from Tawhid Abdullah, CEO, Jawhara Jewellery & Chairman, Dubai Jewellery Group; K.P. Abdul Salam, Vice Chairman, Malabar Group; Anuraag Sinha, Managing Director, Liali Jewellery; Chandu Siroya, Owner, Siroya Jewellers; and Amit Dhamani, CEO and Managing Director, Dhamani Group.

Our special guest, Mr. Ahmad Ali Moosa, Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), offered a unique perspective on the importance of building a transparent ecosystem that prioritizes consumer trust and protection.

Commenting on the session, Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council, “We’ve always envisioned The Diamond Dialogue as an open and honest conversation that leads to real action. Dubai has been the first market to embrace this initiative and to collaborate with us in moving the conversation forward. It’s inspiring to see industry leaders, retailers, and government stakeholders come together with a shared purpose, to strengthen trust, educate consumers, and shape a stronger, more transparent future for natural diamonds.”

Commenting on the session, Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman, Dubai Jewellery Group, “Dubai continues to be a beacon for the global jewellery trade, a place where innovation, integrity, and tradition converge. We are the most established jewellery market in the region and are thrilled to have NDC lead this important conversation. The Diamond Dialogue is an important step toward strengthening our collective voice and ensuring we uphold the highest standards of transparency and consumer confidence in natural diamonds.”

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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

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