Botswana’s plan to acquire a 24% stake in Belgian gem trader HB Antwerp, initially proposed by the previous government, remains uncertain. The deal, announced in March 2023 by former President Mokgweetsi Masisi, was intended to challenge Botswana’s long-standing partnership with De Beers by allowing State-owned Okavango Diamond Company to receive polished rather than rough prices for some of its sales. However, the agreement was never finalized. “They were still conducting due diligence and never closed