Diamond is an extremely beautiful gemstone composed of crystallized carbon. The diamond can be white, yellow, brown, orange, green, purple, blue or red. Since the 1870s, gem-quality diamonds have been mined mainly on the African continent. Africa thus contributes 62% of world diamond production.
Some African countries are distinguished by a significant production of diamonds in terms of volume. Botswana’s diamond production from mines in 2023 was valued at 3.28 billion U.S. dollars. In the same year, Russia’s diamond mine production reached a total value of 3.6 billion U.S. dollars.
Likewise, Botswana is the largest diamond producer in Africa, with natural gemstones and industrial diamond production amounting to a total of almost 25.1 million carats in 2023. Angola was the second-largest African diamond-producing country that year, reaching a production volume of over 9.7 million carats.
Here are the top 10 African countries with the highest diamond production and their value:
- Botswana: Botswana leads the African continent in diamond production, with a total output of 25,094,818 carats in 2023. This production volume has translated into a significant revenue stream, with the country earning $3,283,178,851.00 from its diamond exports.
- Angola: Angola is another key player in the diamond industry, producing 9,754,309 carats in 2023. The value of these diamonds reached $1,531,977,106.05, underscoring Angola’s important role in the global diamond market.
- Namibia: Namibia produced 2,054,227 carats of diamonds in 2023, earning $1,234,496,934.12 from these exports.
- South Africa: South Africa, known for its rich history in diamond mining, produced 5,891,885 carats in 2023. This production brought in $793,950,820.00 in revenue, highlighting South Africa’s ongoing relevance in the diamond industry.
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s diamond production in 2023 amounted to 4,461,450 carats, with a corresponding value of $423,612,395.43.
- Lesotho: Lesotho, although smaller in production volume, produced 471,744 carats in 2023. The value of these diamonds reached $138,707,055.08.
- Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone’s diamond production in 2023 totalled 525,457 carats, generating $102,494,008.63 in revenue.
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo): The DR Congo produced 8,347,462 carats in 2023, with the diamonds valued at $64,963,508.80.
- Tanzania: Tanzania’s diamond production in 2023 was 191,010 carats, with these diamonds valued at $31,159,266.94.
- Liberia: Liberia rounds out the list with a production of 54,700 carats in 2023. The value of these diamonds was $17,643,108.39.
Top 10 African countries with the highest diamond production values:
| Rank | Country | Production volume (cts) 2023 | Value ($) 2023 | Production volume (cts) 2022 | Value ($) 2022 |
| 1 | Botswana | 25,094,818 | $3,283,178,851.00 | 24,509,939 | $4,700,321,539.00 |
| 2 | Angola | 9,754,309 | $1,531,977,106.05 | 8,763,309 | $1,965,247,499.47 |
| 3 | Namibia | 2,054,227 | $1,234,496,934.12 | 2,054,227 | $1,234,496,934.12 |
| 4 | South Africa | 5,891,885 | $793,950,820.00 | 9,660,233 | $1,538,930,037.97 |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 4,461,450 | $423,612,395.43 | 4,461,450 | $423,612,395.43 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 471,744 | $138,707,055.08 | 727,736 | $314,358,893.67 |
| 7 | Sierra Leone | 525,457 | $102,494,008.63 | 688,970 | $142,907,210.45 |
| 8 | DR Congo | 8,347,462 | $64,963,508.80 | 10,780,285 | $76,722,018.02 |
| 9 | Tanzania | 191,010 | $31,159,266.94 | 375,533 | $110,936,767.64 |
| 10 | Liberia | 54,700 | $17,643,108.39 | 60,448 | $24,078,343.75 |
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Sources: Statista; Business Day Nigeria; Business Insider Africa; AfrikaTech
