The Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group are pleased to launch a comprehensive set of talent development programmes designed to create opportunities for Batswana, foster skills, support entrepreneurship, and grow Botswana’s human and innovation capital in line with the country’s aspirations to transition to a knowledge-based economy. As a global leader in the diamond industry, the programmes offered will provide successful candidates with access to world-class expertise and the opportunity to engage with international teams as well as gain exposure across global markets.
The launch of the talent programmes represents the first step in the implementation phase of the transformative agreements signed between Government of Botswana and De Beers in February 2025, which includes a suite of initiatives designed to support Botswana’s national development ambitions.
Commencing this year, the range of impactful talent development programmes include:
- International Graduate Development Programme: Launching in September 2025, this initiative will give high-performing Batswana university graduates a two-year international placement within De Beers Group’s operations globally. Over the duration of the agreement, Batswana graduates will benefit from global experience and career development opportunities through rotational
- Internship Programme: Starting in December 2025, this programme will provide final-year students from universities and vocational institutions with three to six-month placements at De Beers Global Sightholder Sales (DBGSS) in Gaborone each year. It aims to enhance local talent pipelines while supporting academic institutions through practical learning opportunities.
- Scholarship Programme: Also commencing by the end of 2025, this programme will support MSc or PhD students annually with comprehensive scholarships, including full tuition and living stipends at local universities in research fields aligned with strategic focus areas.
- Leaders Accelerator Programme: This ambitious internal programme aims to provide global assignment opportunities for senior Batswana already employed by DBGSS, Debswana and DTC Botswana over the next decade, helping build future-ready leadership.
- Government Leadership Programme: Comprising the Government Secondment Programme and Strategic Steering Committee appointments. Through this programme Government officials will be seconded full-time on appropriate strategic projects globally and/or into other global roles within De
Beers Group. The Steering Committee appointments will be made on the basis of specific strategic projects of mutual interest to the two parties.
Recruitment for the International Graduate Development Programme is set to begin immediately, with applicants encouraged to apply via www.debeersgroup.com from 11 June 2025.
As part of the broader agreements with the Government of Botswana, De Beers Group will also be introducing initiatives such as the Diamond Entrepreneurship Programme and the Diamond Vocational Training Institute. These future programmes are being designed to support local enterprise and skills development in the diamond sector, responding to long-standing national priorities.
In addition, the Diamonds for Development (D4D) Fund, which aims to catalyse inclusive socioeconomic development in Botswana, is expected to become operational later this year. Government of Botswana and De Beers Group continue to make good progress on establishing the Fund, with the appointment of an independent board of directors being a key priority focus. De Beers Group has committed to an upfront investment of BWP 1 billion and further annual contributions from its dividends from Debswana, based on Debswana’s performance. More information about the Fund’s progress and opportunities for Batswana to get involved will be shared in due course.
Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy, said: “Our recent agreement with De Beers marks a bold new chapter in Botswana’s development journey and the launch of these talent programmes represents an exciting tangible step forward in delivering on our shared commitments. It responds directly to our national priorities: reducing youth unemployment, building a future-ready workforce, and retaining value from our natural resources. We are not only opening doors for our youth, but we are also creating the architects of Botswana’s next chapter.”
Al Cook, Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Group, added: “At De Beers, we believe that the most enduring legacy we can create is through people – by investing in talent, unlocking potential, and opening doors to opportunity. That is what these programmes aim to achieve. Through these initiatives, we are helping to develop a generation of professionals who can lead with confidence in Botswana, across Africa, and around the world. It’s about building enduring value that goes beyond mining.”
For her part, Chief People Officer for De Beers Group, Malebogo Mpugwa, commented that the vision is to create real, lasting pathways for Batswana into high-impact careers. “We are enabling Batswana to gain critical skills, global exposure, and the experience needed to lead. This is a deliberate pipeline strategy – one that will shape the leadership bench of the future, not only for De Beers, but for Botswana’s wider economy,” she concluded.
More details on individual programme launches, application opportunities, and success stories will be shared in the coming months.
