Governments of Botswana, Angola Join WFDB

(IDEX Online) - The governments of Botswana and Angola have become affiliated members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) in a move that signals closer ties between producer countries and the trading community.

The announcement was made yesterday (18 May) at the WFDB International Summit in Gaborone, Botswana.

Neither country has a fully-established standalone diamond bourse, but both seek representation because diamonds are central to their economies.

They are the first governments to be admitted to the WFDB, which describes itself as "the umbrella organization of the world's leading diamond bourses".

They currently have affiliate rather than full membership, although they will take part in the World Diamond Congress 2026 in Singapore this July as full WFDB members.

For Botswana, the world's second biggest diamond producer, membership means it can speak directly to traders and bourses about trust, traceability, and differentiating natural and lab grown diamonds.

Bogolo Kenewendo, Botswana's minister of minerals and energy, said: "Joining the WFDB is a further symbol of our commitment to stronger international collaboration, responsible growth and ensuring natural diamonds continue to create long-term value for our people and the wider industry."

Diamantino Azevedo, minister of mineral resources in Angola, which has long been in the process of establishing its own diamond exchange, said: "Joining the WFDB represents an important step in strengthening our engagement with the international trading community while supporting broader co-operation across the industry."

Pic from the WFDB International Summit in Gaborone.