Diamonds

Central African Republic
Diamond embargo to be raised in decisive Dubai meeting

The country's diamond industry is hoping that a decade-long embargo on its stones will be partially or fully lifted as a result of the Kimberley Process plenary meeting being held this week in the UAE.

DRC
Parastatal diamond miner MIBA seeks partners to help it diversify

To relaunch Kasai's 80%-state-owned diamond concern, Jean-Charles Okoto is seeking help from his Chinese-Belgian minority shareholder Asa Resource as well as new partners. He is hoping to expand into new sectors, including nickel mining.

Central African Republic
Foreign diamond dealers finally free after costly ordeal

Two Franco-Algerian nationals who were detained in June were released from prison last month. They claim to have lost several million dollars.

The New Guard
Botswana, Somalia, Benin

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

BotswanaFund manager Bame Pule, a discreet adviser to president Masisi

SomaliaBarkhad Kaariye, speaking on behalf of Somaliland

BeninLéonce Hamza Houngbadji, founder of Africa Solutions Week

Central African Republic
Is the diamond embargo about to be lifted completely for CAR?

A Kimberley Process team is due to visit the Central African Republic from 9 to 15 September, to look at the possibility of lifting the diamond trade sanctions.

Angola
Lourenço appoints top army officer Mussua Williams to combat diamond trafficking

The lieutenant colonel will also be responsible for tackling illegal immigration.

Angola
Low output causes headache for Endiama's Lunhinga diamond mine

Production has been so low at the north-eastern diamond mine that the state-owned company has suspended the contracts of 102 workers without notice.

Lesotho
Government minister Lebona Lephema to take over Mothae Diamond Mine

Lephema, a leading figure in Lesotho's ruling RFP party and head of a business conglomerate, is to buy Lucapa Diamonds' majority interest in the highly attractive mine.

Botswana
All lights green for De Beers diamond deal

After two years of negotiations, the trading deal is set to be signed next month.

Angola
Alrosa works on exit (and return) strategy for Catoca diamond mine

Ongoing sanctions have pushed the Russian giant to negotiate the sale of its shares to a 'friendly' investor, with the possibility of buying them back should the winds of politics turn back in its favour.