Botswana’s Debswana Diamond Company plans to increase diamond production by about 20 per cent this year, aiming to produce 18 million carats in 2026, up from 15 million carats in 2025.
The move is expected to support the country’s economic recovery following a prolonged downturn in the global diamond market. Debswana, a joint venture between the Botswana Government and De Beers, accounts for around 90 per cent of Botswana’s diamond output.
Central Bank official Thato Mokoti said the planned increase in production would be a key driver of economic growth this year. The Company confirmed the expansion, which follows production cuts implemented last year due to weak global demand and growing competition from lab-grown diamonds.
Botswana’s Finance Ministry projects economic growth of 3.1 per cent in 2026, supported largely by an anticipated rebound in diamond demand. Debswana is also pursuing cost-cutting measures, targeting a reduction in annual operating expenses to 6 billion pula (US$416 million) by 2028.