African diamond-producing nations must speak with a single voice to secure the future of the natural diamond industry, Namibia’s mines minister said Monday during a high-level engagement at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town.

Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse joined senior government officials from Botswana and Angola for discussions on regional cooperation among African diamond producers.

“The time has come for African diamond-producing nations to speak with a single, powerful voice,” Amutse said during the session.

The engagement brought together Amutse, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo and Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas Diamantino Pedro Azevedo.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a unified African strategy that positions natural diamonds as a driver of ethical development, national pride and shared prosperity.

During the meeting, Amutse formally signed Namibia to the Luanda Accord, which seeks to boost global consumer demand for natural diamonds through coordinated international marketing efforts.

The accord also emphasizes collaboration among producing countries to protect the reputation and long-term value of natural diamonds.

Mining Indaba is one of the world’s largest mining investment conferences, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and investors from across Africa and beyond.

The Luanda Accord was signed in June 2023 by Botswana, Angola, Sierra Leone, Namibia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with industry organizations including the Antwerp World Diamond Center, the African Diamond Producers Association, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses has expressed support for the accord. Under the agreement, signatories committed to contributing 1% of annual revenue from rough diamonds to the Natural Diamond Council’s global promotion budget.