Africa-Press – Angola. The Republics of Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Namibia and South Africa, which constitute the signatory states of the Diamond Producers Association, on Monday assessed the implementation of the Luanda Accords in Cape Town.
The Luanda Accord stipulates that signatory countries and Natural Diamond Council (NDC) members are committed to contributing one percent of their annual diamond sales revenue.
These contributions should be directed to the NDC, with each country responsible for defining the industrial and technical mechanisms for implementing these contributions in collaboration with sector stakeholders.
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, noted that significant progress has been made since the Luanda Agreement was signed, including the NDC’s accession by the diamond companies Endiama and Sodiam.
Minister Azevedo also said that Angola is committed to contributing 0.5% of its gross commercial revenue and will continue to do more.
He confirmed that Angola is diligently working to ensure the Luanda Agreement’s effectiveness and is currently analysing the possibility of establishing an additional 0.5% contribution mechanism. The exact details of this mechanism still need to be defined within the framework of the aforementioned agreement.
There are different possible approaches, including adopting models that have already been proven to be sustainable.
“We believe that combining Angola’s intervention with the NDC and the active involvement of the Angolan Diamond Exchange, alongside the payment of a 0.5% tax on diamond sales to promote natural diamonds, will be crucial to realizing this vision. This approach will ensure effective compliance by all stakeholders, with direct participation from Angola,” Azevedo said.
Namibia’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Modestus Amutse, signed the accession protocol to the Luanda Agreement, stating that ‘this time, we are truly entering the world of natural diamonds’.
He acknowledged that diamonds are not just a resource for Africa; they are a strategic necessity given the importance of global production.
For the Namibian official, this condition reinforces credibility and competitiveness, positioning Africa in a stronger and more resilient way.
