By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Liberia has joined fellow members of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) in approving the organization’s 2027 budget and an ambitious 20-year Strategic Work Plan aimed at strengthening Africa’s collective influence in the global diamond industry, improving cooperation among producing nations, and promoting sustainable development across the continent’s diamond sector.
The landmark decisions were reached during ADPA’s 13th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting held in Luanda, Angola, from November 3 to 5, 2026, as the organization marked its 20th anniversary and renewed its commitment to advancing the interests of Africa’s diamond-producing countries.
Representing Liberia at the high-level gathering was Assistant Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cooper Paasewe, who participated in the Council of Ministers Meeting on November 4 and the Luanda Accord Meeting on November 5. Liberia was also represented at the preceding Committee of Experts Meeting by Rebecca Kumba Fallah, Director of the Office of Precious Minerals and the country’s designated ADPA Focal Point.
The ministerial deliberations brought together government representatives and industry stakeholders from across Africa to discuss policy coordination, institutional development, competitiveness, and the future direction of the continent’s diamond industry.
At the center of the meetings was the adoption of a comprehensive 20-year Strategic Work Plan built around five core pillars: One Voice, One Standard, One Market, One Influence, and One Force.
The framework seeks to create a more unified continental approach to diamond governance and marketing by promoting stronger advocacy, improved industry standards, expanded market access, coordinated international engagement, and enhanced institutional capacity among member states.
The approval of the strategy reflects growing recognition among African producers that closer collaboration is essential to maintaining competitiveness in an industry undergoing significant transformation.
Africa remains one of the world’s leading sources of natural diamonds, with major producers including Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The sector continues to play a critical role in generating government revenue, foreign exchange earnings, employment opportunities, and economic growth across many African economies.
Despite its importance, the industry faces increasing challenges, including fluctuating global demand, price volatility, the rise of laboratory-grown diamonds, responsible sourcing requirements, and limited participation by producing countries in the higher-value segments of the international diamond supply chain.
ADPA officials believe the newly adopted strategy will provide a long-term roadmap for addressing these issues through stronger regional cooperation and coordinated policy responses.
Speaking during the ministerial sessions, Assistant Minister Paasewe commended Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, who currently serves as Chairperson of ADPA, for his leadership and dedication to advancing the organization’s objectives.
Paasewe also welcomed the Ministerial Council’s approval of Botswana’s admission as an observer member, describing the move as an important step toward broadening continental participation and strengthening solidarity among Africa’s diamond-producing nations.
He further congratulated member states on ADPA’s 20th anniversary, officially commemorated on November 4, noting the organization’s significant contribution to promoting and protecting the interests of Africa’s natural diamond industry over the past two decades.
A highlight of the anniversary celebration was the presentation of a Certificate of Merit to Liberia in recognition of its role as one of ADPA’s founding members. The award was received on behalf of the Government of Liberia by Madam Fallah.
The three-day event also offered member states an opportunity to reflect on ADPA’s institutional growth since its establishment, evaluate current trends in the international diamond market, and identify practical strategies for enhancing Africa’s position within the global mineral economy.
The strategic initiative comes at a critical time for the global diamond industry. Changing consumer preferences, evolving market conditions, and the rapid expansion of laboratory-grown diamonds are reshaping traditional diamond markets and prompting producers to rethink long-term strategies.
According to Kimberley Process production statistics, Botswana produced approximately 28.18 million carats of rough diamonds in 2024, making it one of the world’s largest producers. Angola recorded roughly 14.03 million carats during the same period, while the Democratic Republic of Congo produced about 9.79 million carats, underscoring Africa’s continued dominance in global natural diamond production.
The economic value of the sector remains substantial. Botswana’s rough diamond production in 2024 was valued at approximately US$3.31 billion, while Angola’s output reached an estimated US$1.41 billion.
For Liberia, diamonds remain an important component of the country’s extractive industry. Kimberley Process records indicate that Liberia produced approximately 47,812 carats of rough diamonds valued at US$16.66 million in 2024. In 2025, production totaled roughly 34,107 carats with an estimated value of US$7.99 million.
These figures highlight both the opportunities and challenges facing Liberia’s diamond sector, particularly in areas such as production efficiency, value retention, traceability, and transparency.
The continent’s diamond industry has undergone significant reforms over the last two decades, including the establishment of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering legitimate markets. Liberia joined the initiative in 2007, strengthening its commitment to responsible sourcing and transparent diamond trading.
As ADPA enters its third decade, member states view the newly adopted strategic framework as a critical tool for transforming Africa’s role in the diamond industry from primarily a producer of raw minerals to a stronger participant in global value creation.
For Liberia and other African diamond-producing nations, the challenge ahead is not only to maintain their share of the global market but also to capture greater economic value from their natural resources, improve governance, promote local participation, and create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
The Luanda meeting, therefore, represented more than a ceremonial anniversary. It marked a renewed continental commitment to building a more coordinated, competitive, transparent, and economically beneficial African diamond industry for decades to come.
