Botswana Targets UAE and Oman Investors for De Beers Stake Acquisition

The government of Botswana is actively seeking investment partners from the United Arab Emirates and Oman to facilitate a potential acquisition or equity restructuring of De Beers. The move follows the announcement by Anglo American, which owns 85% of the 138-year-old diamond miner, to divest or spin off the business as part of a massive corporate restructuring. Strategic Shift in Diamond Ownership Botswana currently holds a 15% stake in De Beers and relies on the company for the vast majority of its foreign exchange earnings. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has indicated that the nation requires "long-term, patient capital" to replace Anglo American’s majority control. High-level discussions have reportedly been held with sovereign wealth funds and private investors in Abu Dhabi and Muscat to gauge interest in the world’s most prominent diamond producer. De Beers, founded in 1888, controls significant mining operations across Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada. The potential entry of UAE capital would align with Dubai’s established position as a global hub for diamond trading. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) currently handles over $38 billion in annual diamond…