Articles and News

Dubai, UAE--Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), the Botswana government–owned rough natural diamond marketing company, has joined the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) as its newest member.

ODC is the first non-mining diamond company to be admitted as a member of NDC. ODC sells more than 6 million carats of rough natural diamonds per year, all sourced from Debswana, Botswana's flagship diamond mining company that accounts for 98% of Botswana’s diamond production. ODC is also home to the famed Okavango Blue diamond, a 20.46 carat VVS1 oval brilliant, fancy, deep blue diamond. 

With the membership, ODC Managing Director, Mmetla Masire, join the NDC board of directors. “ODC believes strongly in  building customer confidence which we feel blends very seamlessly with NDC’s mission to expand  consumer awareness across the market," Masire said. "We look forward to working with NDC to further our mission to provide the Botswana Government with a direct route to market for its rough diamonds and to support the  ongoing transformation of Botswana into a leading rough natural diamond sourcing destination.” 

“Botswana is a leading nation in setting the standards for the responsible management of its natural  resources,” added David Kellie, CEO of NDC. “Okavango Diamond Company’s membership of NDC allows us to share the story of the Botswana natural diamond industry more widely with the world."