Diamond producers strengthen marketing alliance as Namibia becomes fourth signatory of Luanda accord

Namibia has joined the Luanda Accord, a coalition of diamond-producing governments supporting global marketing of natural diamonds, officials said on Monday during the African Mining Indaba.

Namibia becomes the fourth signatory after Angola, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the completion of government approvals.

The decision deepens cooperation with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), which leads generic marketing for natural diamonds.

The Luanda Accord was launched in June 2025 to coordinate investment and messaging aimed at protecting consumer demand for natural diamonds amid rising competition from lab-grown stones.

Namibia is the world’s fifth-largest diamond producer by value and relies heavily on revenue from the sector.

“Natural diamonds have helped shape Namibia’s economic story for more than a century,” said Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy.

NDC Chief Executive Officer, Amber Pepper, said Namibia’s entry “strengthens collective action to protect the integrity and desirability of natural diamonds.”

In a separate development at the same meeting, India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) signed an agreement outlining its path to become an NDC member by May 1, 2026, subject to financial and regulatory approval.

The move would align India – the world’s dominant cutting and polishing centre – with the Accord’s marketing effort.

“India sits at the heart of the global natural diamond value chain,” GJEPC Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikh said.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the world’s largest diamond trading hub, also signed a letter of intent to join the NDC by May 2026.

DMCC Executive Chairman, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said membership would support long-term industry stability and strengthen ties between African producers and global markets.

The NDC said the new commitments marked the broadest expansion of the Luanda Accord since its launch and urged participants across the value chain to contribute to category-wide marketing efforts.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.