Key stakeholders in diamond cutting, polishing, and manufacturing in Lesotho have banded together to create the Lesotho Diamond Manufacturers Association (LDMA), with the aim of transforming the nation into a leading hub for diamond processing.
As the first organisation of its kind in the country, the LDMA seeks to maximise the value of Lesotho’s diamond resources by fostering local manufacturing, driving economic growth, and strengthening the country’s position in the global diamond industry.
Addressing Challenges in Lesotho’s Diamond Industry
Lesotho, known for its high-quality diamonds, has historically faced challenges in fully realising the economic benefits of its natural resources. Much of the downstream value addition—such as cutting, polishing, and manufacturing—has occurred outside the country, limiting local economic impact.
Speaking about the association’s mission, Kobina Baffoe, President of the LDMA, explained:
“Lesotho is home to some of the world’s most exquisite diamonds, but historically, much of the value from our natural resources has been realised outside of our borders. Our association aims to address this by building a diamond manufacturing sector that generates jobs, enhances local expertise, and strengthens Lesotho’s role in the global diamond industry.”
Strategic Objectives
To achieve its vision, the LDMA has identified several strategic priorities:
- Enhancing Local Value Addition
Establish cutting and polishing facilities within Lesotho to ensure diamonds are processed locally, retaining more economic value. - Promoting Skills Development
Partner with educational institutions and international experts to provide training programmes for Basotho workers, enhancing their expertise in diamond manufacturing. - Strengthening Industry Standards
Work with government bodies and industry stakeholders to ensure transparency, ethical practices, and adherence to global standards such as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. - Attracting Investment
Position Lesotho as an attractive destination for diamond manufacturing through improved infrastructure, investment incentives, and regulatory stability. - Advancing Innovation
Support the adoption of modern technologies to enhance the efficiency and quality of diamond processing, maintaining Lesotho’s global competitiveness.
Building on Lesotho’s Diamond Legacy
Lesotho’s diamond industry has gained international recognition through discoveries such as the 910-carat “Lesotho Legend” and the 603-carat “Lesotho Promise.” Despite these successes, the majority of value-added processes have taken place abroad. The LDMA seeks to change this by establishing a local ecosystem to process rough diamonds into finished products, creating new economic opportunities for the country.
Collaborative Partnerships for Industry Growth
Collaboration will be key to the LDMA’s success. The association plans to work closely with the African Diamond Manufacturers Association (ADMA), the Government of Lesotho, mining companies, and global trade organisations such as the African Diamond Council (ADC). These partnerships aim to create a supportive environment for growth and ensure alignment with international best practices in diamond manufacturing.
Economic Empowerment Through Diamond Manufacturing
A core focus of the LDMA is empowering Lesotho’s population by creating employment opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship in the diamond value chain. By stimulating economic activity within the country, the LDMA seeks to ensure the benefits of the diamond industry are widely shared.
“By emphasising local beneficiation, skills development, and innovation, the LDMA aims to make Lesotho’s diamond industry a key contributor to the national economy,” Baffoe added.
