Angola Diamond Production Hits 10.7 Million Carats in 2025 as Country Aims for Record 14.8 Million
Angola’s rough diamond production reached 10.7 million carats in the nine months to September, according to government data released on Friday, as the southern African nation pushes toward another record year for output.
The country — already the world’s third-largest diamond producer behind Russia and Botswana — achieved a record 14 million carats in 2024 and is now targeting 14.8 million carats in 2025.
Strong Operational Performance Driving Growth
Speaking at a diamond industry event, Secretary of State for Mineral Resources Janio Correa Victor said that output in the first half of 2025 was 23.2% higher year-on-year, though he did not disclose comparative figures for the nine-month period.
Victor attributed the higher production to operational stability and improved efficiencies at Catoca Mining Company and Luele Mining Company, two of Angola’s largest diamond operations.
Both mines are jointly owned by Angola’s state-owned diamond company Endiama and Taadeen Investment, a subsidiary of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund.
The Omani firm entered Angola’s diamond sector in 2024, replacing Russia’s Alrosa, which exited after Western sanctions linked to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Exports Rise, But Prices Fall
Despite the production boom, Victor noted that the value of Angola’s rough diamond exports fell 14% over the same nine-month period — even as export volumes nearly doubled.
He attributed the decline in export value to a global drop in diamond prices, driven by:
Increased competition from synthetic diamonds,
Weak consumer demand in key markets like China,
Trade restrictions and tariffs imposed by the United States, and
Broader economic uncertainty affecting luxury spending.
Postwar Expansion and Global Ambitions
Since the end of its 27-year civil war in 2002, Angola has rapidly expanded its diamond industry, transforming from a source of so-called “conflict diamonds” into a leading global producer.
The government has sought to modernize the sector through foreign investment, increased transparency, and the establishment of local polishing and trading hubs to capture more value domestically.
In a bold move signaling its ambitions, Angola has also submitted a bid for a majority stake in De Beers, which is being sold by parent company Anglo American as part of a corporate restructuring. The bid could set up a potential contest with Botswana, which is also seeking greater control of the world’s largest diamond miner.
Outlook
With production momentum strong and key mines stabilizing operations, Angola appears well positioned to meet — or even surpass — its 14.8 million-carat production target for 2025.
However, the country faces continued headwinds from softening global demand and price volatility, which could temper the financial benefits of higher output.
Still, officials remain optimistic that structural reforms and new investment partnerships will help secure Angola’s place among the world’s top diamond producers well into the next decade.
