Botswana Seeks Gulf Backing for De Beers Stake Expansion

June 6, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Botswana is seeking financial backing from investors in the United Arab Emirates and Oman as it positions itself to increase its ownership in diamond producer De Beers Group amid Anglo American’s planned exit from the company.

President Duma Boko told Bloomberg that discussions are underway with potential Gulf-based partners, including sovereign wealth fund investors.

The talks come as Anglo American advances plans to divest its 85 percent stake in De Beers under a wider corporate restructuring programme.

Botswana, already a minority shareholder with a 15 percent stake in De Beers, views the company as strategically important to its economy.

Government officials have increasingly signalled interest in strengthening Botswana’s influence over the global diamond business as ownership discussions around De Beers intensify.

Botswana has maintained a decades-long partnership with De Beers, playing a central role in global diamond production and trading.