Debswana Diamond Company, the world’s leading producer of diamonds by value, has sharpened its focus on creating long-lasting value for the nation through a newly launched Socio-Economic Development (SED) Strategy. Introduced in October 2024, the strategy reinforces Debswana’s commitment to economic diversification, empowering communities, and building sustainable livelihoods, even beyond the life of its mines.
The 50/50 partnership between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group, which forms Debswana, is expected to continue until at least 2054, following the signing of the new agreements on the 25th of February 2025. However, there is a shared understanding among stakeholders that one day, the last diamond will be mined. That is the day Debswana is preparing for through its new Socio-Economic Development Strategy, which also supports its Mine Closure Plans.
As a cornerstone of Botswana’s economy, Debswana plays an outsized role in driving national growth. The company has long been the largest contributor to government revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and national employment. Diamonds mined by Debswana account for approximately 80% of Botswana’s export earnings, more than 30% of government revenues, and around 25% of the country’s GDP. The company’s contribution to state coffers has been instrumental in financing social services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure; playing a transformative role in Botswana’s development since independence.
The SED strategy marks a new chapter in this development journey. It is driven by the vision of creating thriving communities that continue to grow and prosper even after mining operations cease.
The strategy has three thematic focus areas, namely, Alternative Economy, Partnerships and Sustainable Impact. The Alternative Economy thematic area highlights the focus on promoting economic diversification through the development of non-mining sectors such as tourism, agriculture and manufacturing into resilient local industries that present greater employment opportunities for Batswana. The key driver of this diversification is the second thematic area of Partnerships built with government, civil society and private sector players, with the aim of leveraging knowledge sharing, resources and capacity building. Thirdly, sustainable impact is key as it ensures environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable practices are prioritised throughout the journey of socio-economic development. Is it important to note that less is more, as such Debswana aims to implement high impact projects, rather than many small projects. There are also non-negotiables which are accordingly part and parcel of the SED projects, these are, inclusion of vulnerable people, digitisation, climate change and citizen economic empowerment.
Building Sustainable Futures
According to Rachel Mothibatsela, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs at Debswana, the strategy is designed to “revitalise the organisation’s approach to building sustainable, resilient, and thriving host communities and ensure that the benefits of mining are felt long after the mines have closed. The strategy was formed in collaboration with stakeholders. Interviews and focus group discussions were held. In addition, workshop were run in Jwaneng, Orapa and Gaborone, where multiple stakeholders from government, parastatals, development agencies, NGOs, and others participated.”
The strategy is focused on collaboration—with communities, government, and development partners—to leverage mine resources in building diverse, inclusive local economies. The strategy outlines key priorities such as promoting entrepreneurship and supporting the development of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) to generate jobs in non-mining sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
Another important area is green energy and the circular economy. Regarding the latter, Debswana has mine waste from the 1970s which, in partnership with communities and technical partners, can be upcycled to produce other materials for sales, the proceeds of which can be used for community development. Debswana also aims to unlock new opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable resource management while continuing to invest in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and skills development.
Aligning with Global Goals
The strategy is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future by 2030. These 17 goals cover issues ranging from poverty and hunger to education, health, and climate action.
Debswana’s SED strategy has also been informed by the company’s double materiality assessment—an approach that considers both the company’s impact on society and the environment, and the impact of external factors on the company.
“We are committed to developing strong partnerships to deliver the strategy and make a real impact,” said Mothibatsela.
Among the key SDGs the company is targeting are:
- Goal 1: Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Goal 2: Ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture
- Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all
- Goal 4: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education
Community Engagement and Cultural Preservation
Over the years, Debswana has implemented various community initiatives designed to empower and uplift people in its host regions. A notable example is the Tsodilo Hills Trust, which supports heritage preservation and sustainable tourism in the culturally significant Tsodilo Hills area. This initiative not only protects Botswana’s rich heritage but also creates long-term value for surrounding communities.
In the realm of sports, Debswana has supported various sporting codes for over three decades. In the last few years, notebale achievements with specific key performance indicators, were investments made in supporting the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), Re Ba Bona Haand the development of the First Division football league. These have been instrumental in nurturing talent and promoting community cohesion. These efforts culminated in part in Botswana’s strong participation in international events like the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Sport has proven to be an effective vehicle for career advancement other than the typical careers developed through the academic route. Young athletes we have talked to have stated that they see sport as a career and avenue to gaining livelihoods. Sport is also an effective vehicle for community solidarity and youth empowerment. The teamwork and national pride displayed by our athletes have helped unify communities, improve Botswana’s brand visibility, enhance the impact natural diamonds have on our economy and upskilling our nation and fostering a spirit of togetherness,” said Mothibatsela.
Over the years, a large portion of Debswana’s corporate social investment budget has been invested in sport development. The company has reflected on this and believes investing in running a high-performance centre will add more value.
Enhancing Education and Healthcare
Education and healthcare remain central to Debswana’s socio-economic development agenda. Through initiatives such as the Debswana Government School Initiative, the company supports local schools near its operations, improving access to quality education for learners. At the national level, Debswana supports the Botswana Examination Council Excellence Awards, which recognise and reward outstanding academic performance.
In health, Debswana has played a key role in upgrading public healthcare infrastructure, such as the addition of a maternity wing at the Letlhakane Hospital and enhancements to the Moremaoto Clinic. Additionally, the company has opened its own hospitals in Orapa and Jwaneng to members of the surrounding communities, improving access to quality care in remote areas. These hospitals serve over 200,000 patients per annum. This has to be the largest CSI project that Debswana has sustained for many years. The company has recently worked with the Ministry of Health and the District Health Management Teams to develop a bespoke community health programme, titled Botsogo Teemane, which focuses on preventative health.
Growing Local Enterprise
To support economic diversification and resilience, Debswana backs enterprise development through initiatives like Tokafala, a partnership with De Beers, the Government of Botswana and Anglo American. The programme offers training and mentorship to local entrepreneurs, equipping them to run sustainable businesses in various sectors. Tokafala plays a key role in reducing dependency on mining and stimulating innovation within the local economy.
The company also supports emerging industries through specialised initiatives such as the Debswana Textile Accelerator Programme, which fosters new skills and creates jobs in the textile industry. To date, 34 textile operators underwent enterprise development training, with some gaining Botswana Bureau of Standards certification. In the last three years, Debswana has purchased Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) worth over P34 million from the 34 textile operators. This project is also aimed at helping textile operators access other markets and reduce dependency on Debswana.
Manufacturing has been identified as a key driver in enabling economic diversification. Opportunities identified through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme include production of explosives for mining, lubricants, floculents, safety boots and hard hats.
“We see enterprise development as a major lever in building sustainable communities,” explains Mothibatsela. “It’s about creating value beyond mining.”Debswana also understands the challenges micro and small enterprises face with regarding to access to market, affordable business premises, access to finance, etc. As an example to assist micro and small enterprises in Kasane, Debswana, in partnership with the Chobe District Council and Kasane Central Village Development Committee built a market space providing affordable leased operating space.
To enable access to finance, through its Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme, Debswana has secured funding to the tune of P4.7 billion with local banks for SMMEs. Debswana in partnership with Stanbic Bank Botswana has assisted SMME’s in the Jwaneng and Boteti Region, through a grant program to ensure both entities enable the creation of a better future for the citizens and entrepreneurs of Botswana. The partnership entails BWP 2 million grant investment each year for a 5 year duration.
Measuring Success Through Tangible Impact
Debswana employs a range of metrics to evaluate the success of its socio-economic development initiatives. These include the number of sustainable jobs created and supported, access to improved healthcare, enhanced education outcomes, support for sports development, and the number of SMMEs supported.
To date, Debswana’s initiatives have contributed to the creation of approximately 20,000 sustainable jobs, according to internal impact assessments. These figures reflect both direct and indirect employment through the company’s operations and community development efforts.
“Our success is measured not just in numbers, but in the lives we improve,” says Mothibatsela.
Sustaining the Social Licence
The concept of a “social licence to operate” has become increasingly important in modern mining. While Debswana operates under a formal licence from the government, it also relies on community goodwill and social acceptance to maintain uninterrupted operations.
This makes stakeholder engagement a critical part of the SED strategy. Through regular consultations and participatory approaches, Debswana ensures that communities are active partners in shaping projects that affect them. Since 2015, Debswana overhauled its community engagement and development approach by adopting a global award-winning Social Way framework. This framework takes into account various best practice principles and cover how we develop Social Impact programmes, their governance, monitoring and evaluation, etc
“Inclusion and dialogue are key,” Mothibatsela affirms. “Communities must see and feel the value of our presence.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Debswana envisions enabling ecosystems that attract alternative funding sources such as green financing to support local innovation and enterprise. Through tapping into community-based resources and ideas, the company aims to create self-sustaining local economies that can withstand the eventual closure of mines.
This approach is part of the broader vision to ensure that Botswana’s mineral wealth translates into shared prosperity—not just during the life of the mine, but for generations to come. As Botswana continues its journey towards economic diversification and sustainability, Debswana’s SED strategy stands as a model for helping to transform the economy.
