Governance and price woes mar Africa's diamond outlook

Subject

Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa's diamond sector.

Significance

Prices for rough diamonds fell 18% in the year to November 2015, driven in large part by weakening consumer demand in China. Producers such as De Beers are taking steps to support prices, including cutting production and establishing new marketing initiatives. Further details will likely emerge at the Jewelry Industry Summit taking place in New York in March.

Impacts

• Soft diamond prices will encourage Botswana to hasten implementation of its Economic Stimulus Programme aimed at sustaining GDP growth.
• Angola is unlikely to push for greater transparency in the global diamond trade given the vested interests of powerful military figures.
• Producers will attempt to control the manufacture of synthetic gems to prevent undercutting of demand for natural diamonds.