Diamonds for Development Fund Receives P1 Billion De Beers Instalment, Boko Says

GABORONE, Botswana – President Duma Boko said the Diamonds for Development Fund has received an initial 1 billion pula annual payment toward a 10 billion pula contribution from the De Beers Group. He framed the fund as a vehicle to diversify Botswana’s economy after decades of diamond-led growth.

Key takeaways

• Boko said the fund is “implemented this year through enduring partnership with De Beers” and “is governed by an independent board.”
• He reported an “initial 1 billion pula annual payment of the 10 billion pula contribution from the De Beers group.”
• The Office of the President amplified the same diversification message on X during SONA day.

What Boko said

“After decades of diamond-led growth, we are writing a new chapter in our development journey through the Diamonds for Development Fund, D for D, implemented this year through enduring partnership with De Beers,” Boko told Parliament in the 9 November 2026 State of the Nation Address (Parliament of Botswana video).

“The fund is governed by an independent board. I’m pleased to report that the fund has received an initial 1 billion pula annual payment of the 10 billion pula contribution from the De Beers group,” he said.

Those are presidential statements about a contribution schedule, not audited proof that the full P10 billion has been paid. Only the initial P1 billion instalment was reported as received in the speech.

Presidency post on SONA day

𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

Turning Botswana’s diamond wealth into a catalyst for economic diversification through the Diamonds for Development Fund.

, Office of the President| Republic of Botswana. (@BWPresidency) November 9, 2026

Why it matters for the fiscus

Diamonds remain central to Botswana’s revenue base. A ring-fenced development fund financed from De Beers contributions is meant to channel mineral rents into diversification projects under an independent board. Completion of later instalments and the fund’s investment rules will determine whether the P10 billion headline becomes multi-year fiscal capacity or remains a commitment on paper.

For the parallel ownership announcement on De Beers Group equity, see Botswana’s plan to double its stake to 30%.

More from SONA 2026

• Botswana Forensic Audit Flags P33 Billion in Suspected Public Losses, Boko Says
• Botswana Targets 2027/28 Procurement for Trans-Kalahari Rail and Chobe-Zambezi Water Scheme
• Botswana Airport City Breaks Ground as P25.5 Billion SEZ Bet, Boko Says
• Botswana Adds 200 MW Solar as Power Imports Fall 62%, Boko Says
• Botswana Suspends Fuel and Road Levies for Six Months at P700 Million Cost, Boko Says
• Botswana Lifts Student Allowances to P2,200 and Hands Over 567 Bonno Homes, Boko Says
• Botswana to Double De Beers Stake to 30% as Anglo Exit Advances