Botswana Mining Review Comprehensive Coverage of the Progress and Achievements in the Mining Sector
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Botswana and Côte d’Ivoire have taken a decisive step toward deeper resource-sector collaboration, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that signals a shift from diplomatic intent to practical implementation across mining, oil and energy.
Signed in Gaborone on 30 July 2026, the agreement brings together Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo and Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly. It establishes a broad framework for cooperation spanning mineral exploration, petroleum development, renewable energy, skills transfer, institutional strengthening and investment promotion.
At its core, the MoU reflects a shared ambition to translate Africa’s natural resource wealth into sustainable economic growth. Kenewendo described the agreement as a turning point, moving the two nations “from conversation to commitment and from shared ambition to shared action.” She noted that the partnership goes beyond extraction, positioning Botswana as a knowledge partner willing to share its institutional strength and technical expertise. That emphasis on value creation rather than raw resource export is already evident in Côte d’Ivoire’s engagement with Botswana’s diamond sector, widely regarded as one of the continent’s most successful beneficiation models.
A delegation from Côte d’Ivoire recently visited key industry players in Botswana to gain first-hand insight into how the country has built value around its diamond resources. At Worldwide Diamond Manufacturing Botswana (WDM-B), delegates were introduced to the full beneficiation process, from sorting and valuation to cutting and polishing. The visit highlighted how technical expertise, advanced machinery and workforce development combine to transform rough stones into high-value polished diamonds.
WDM-B’s Chief Operations Officer for Africa, Shukoor Mohammad, outlined the company’s broader role in the ecosystem, including consultancy, training and factory management services for governments and mining companies. This reflects a model that extends beyond production into skills development and knowledge transfer, a key pillar of the new bilateral agreement.
The delegation also toured the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), where Acting Managing Director Lipalesa Makepe detailed how Botswana maximises value through transparent international auctions and strategic marketing. ODC’s approach ensures that a greater share of diamond revenues remains within the country, supporting national development and citizen empowerment.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the MoU and accompanying industry visits signal a strategic effort to replicate aspects of Botswana’s success, particularly in moving up the value chain. Sangafowa-Coulibaly noted that the agreement reflects a broader commitment to turning high-level political directives into tangible economic outcomes. He expressed confidence that the partnership could serve as a model for South–South cooperation, anchored in knowledge sharing, innovation and sustainable value creation.
Beyond diamonds, the agreement opens the door to collaboration in energy security and renewables, areas of growing importance as African nations balance resource development with climate and sustainability goals. The MoU represents more than a bilateral agreement. It is part of a wider continental shift toward cooperation, industrialisation and shared expertise, with Botswana’s diamond sector offering a practical blueprint for how resource wealth can be leveraged for long-term, inclusive growth.
