Diamonds

The New Guard
Libya, Somalia, South Africa

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

LibyaAhmed Albibas, civil rights champion

SomaliaFathi Bashe, youth ambassador for the Horn of Africa

South AfricaMqokeleli Gomba, chief engineer at Richards Bay

Central African Republic
Difficult-to-sell huge diamond loses its sparkle for Touadéra

The Central African president is trying to sell a 178-carat diamond that was found in the southeast of the country but, three months after the lifting of the diamond embargo, it's proving quite the challenge.

Kenya
Ruto-linked bank lands key role in new social security scheme

Kenya's brand new health cover scheme is already courting controversy. The shareholders of one of the banks chosen to collect employer contributions also manage an insurance company in which President William Ruto has a stake.

South Africa
Anglo American to slash workforce in platinum and diamond sectors

Anglo American Platinum has begun consultations with its South African employees on a plan to restructure in Johannesburg and envisages cutting some 200 jobs.

Central African Republic
Wagner in show of force to counter France-CAR rapprochement

France and the Central African Republic's improving of relations is coming up against Russian diplomatic and propaganda counter-offensives. Meanwhile, the mercenary group Wagner is resurgent in the African country.

Central African Republic
Diamond embargo to be raised in decisive Dubai meeting

The country's diamond industry is hoping that a decade-long embargo on its stones will be partially or fully lifted as a result of the Kimberley Process plenary meeting being held this week in the UAE.

DRC
Parastatal diamond miner MIBA seeks partners to help it diversify

To relaunch Kasai's 80%-state-owned diamond concern, Jean-Charles Okoto is seeking help from his Chinese-Belgian minority shareholder Asa Resource as well as new partners. He is hoping to expand into new sectors, including nickel mining.

Central African Republic
Foreign diamond dealers finally free after costly ordeal

Two Franco-Algerian nationals who were detained in June were released from prison last month. They claim to have lost several million dollars.

The New Guard
Botswana, Somalia, Benin

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

BotswanaFund manager Bame Pule, a discreet adviser to president Masisi

SomaliaBarkhad Kaariye, speaking on behalf of Somaliland

BeninLéonce Hamza Houngbadji, founder of Africa Solutions Week

Central African Republic
Is the diamond embargo about to be lifted completely for CAR?

A Kimberley Process team is due to visit the Central African Republic from 9 to 15 September, to look at the possibility of lifting the diamond trade sanctions.

Angola
Lourenço appoints top army officer Mussua Williams to combat diamond trafficking

The lieutenant colonel will also be responsible for tackling illegal immigration.