The raw deal is not just about money. It is about control. For 60 years, a nation blessed with the world’s hardest gem has been treated like a soft touch. As President Masisi told Parliament last month: "We are not asking for a favor. We are taking what is ours."
For decades, the sparkling relationship between the arid nation of Botswana and the diamond giant De Beers has been hailed as the "perfect marriage." Diamonds built Botswana’s middle class, funded its free education, and transformed it from one of the poorest countries on Earth into Africa’s most stable, upper-middle-income economy. The raw deal is not just about money
What do you think? Should resource-rich nations control their own diamond destiny? Join the conversation in the comments below. As President Masisi told Parliament last month: "We
From a strict accounting perspective, the answer is nuanced. Historically, no. De Beers lifted Botswana from GDP per capita of $70 to over $8,000. The infrastructure, health care, and democratic stability are unparalleled in Africa. 000. The infrastructure
So, is Botswana getting a raw deal?
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding De Beers' operations in Botswana. The article highlights the complexities of the diamond industry and the challenges faced by governments and mining companies in ensuring that natural resources benefit both the company and the country.