Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association (BDMA)
Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association
The Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association (BDMA) is a non-profit organization established in 2007 that represents the voice of Botswana's diamond cutting and polishing industry. It serves as the collective body for manufacturers operating in one of the world's most significant diamond-producing nations.
Botswana and the Diamond Industry
Botswana is consistently ranked among the top diamond-producing countries in the world by both volume and value. The country's diamond sector, anchored by the Jwaneng and Orapa mines operated through Debswana — a joint venture between the government and De Beers — has been the cornerstone of Botswana's economic development since the 1970s.
For decades, rough diamonds mined in Botswana were exported for cutting and polishing elsewhere, primarily in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, and Surat. The establishment of a local manufacturing sector was a deliberate government strategy to capture more value from the country's natural resources.
The Role of the BDMA
The BDMA was founded to support and advocate for the growing community of diamond manufacturers choosing to operate in Botswana. Its key functions include:
- Industry representation — acting as the official voice of cutting and polishing companies in dealings with government, regulators, and trade partners
- Standards and best practices — promoting consistent quality and ethical standards across member operations
- Skills development — supporting training initiatives to grow a skilled local diamond-cutting workforce
- Trade facilitation — helping members navigate rough diamond supply, export regulations, and international market access
Gaborone as a Diamond Hub
A major development that boosted Botswana's manufacturing sector was De Beers relocating its Diamond Trading Company (DTC) aggregation and sales operations from London to Gaborone in 2013. This move brought rough diamond sorting and sales activity directly to Botswana, giving local manufacturers better access to supply and reinforcing Gaborone's status as an emerging global diamond hub.
The BDMA plays an active role in this ecosystem, ensuring that Botswana-based manufacturers can compete and grow within the international diamond trade.
For more information, visit the BDMA website.