Building on remarks from Gareth Penny, Gareth Penny, Chairman of Ninety One and former Group CEO of De Beers, who warned that collaboration is critical for industry survival - other executives and stakeholders echoed the call for deepened cooperation across the diamond value chain. “Partnerships are no longer optional, they are the only path to long‑term survival,” Penny said in a Mining Indaba TV interview, underscoring the need for shared strategy and collective action.

Debswana: Collaboration from mine to market

At the conference, Debswana Diamond Company, Botswana’s flagship diamond miner, highlighted partnership as the foundation of its business model. Debswana’s COO, Koolatotse Koolatotse, reminded delegates that Debswana itself was born from collaboration between government and private enterprise, and that this model remains key to sustainable growth. “Partnerships and collaboration remain central to improving mining efficiency and securing long‑term sustainability beyond diamonds,” Koolatotse said, noting that Debswana’s partnerships help extend technical expertise to other African mining ventures. His remarks reinforced the idea that shared expertise and resource pooling can mitigate volatility and strengthen industry resilience.

Luanda Accord: Producers unite behind global promotion

Among the most visible outcomes at Indaba 2026 was the expansion of the Luanda Accord, a multinational initiative aimed at coordinating global marketing for natural diamonds through the Natural Diamond Council (NDC). Namibia’s industry representatives framed the accord as a concrete step toward collective branding and shared market reinforcement. “By joining the Luanda Accord, producing countries are affirming that they have both a stake and a responsibility in telling the true story of natural diamonds,” said Namibian Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, highlighting the importance of shared narrative and marketing coordination.

Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council echoed this view, saying: “Collective action is essential to protect the integrity and desirability of natural diamonds.” The expansion of the accord, which now includes Angola, Botswana, Namibia and plans for broader involvement from downstream partners, signals sector‑wide intent to collaborate on consumer outreach and category promotion, not just extraction.

De Beers: Partnerships part of recovery strategy

Meanwhile, De Beers Group highlighted the role of strategic cooperation in its own operational turnaround. Kevin Smith, newly appointed COO of De Beers, told Mining Weekly said that stronger partnerships and measured market recovery are central elements of the company’s 2026 strategy. “Operational discipline and stronger partnerships will be key focus areas as De Beers positions itself for the next phase of industry growth,” Smith said, stressing collaboration with producers and market participants alike," he pointed out. His comments dovetail with Penny’s warning about collective action, reflecting a broader recognition among major producers that alignment across the sector accelerates recovery.

From policy to practice: a broader industry shift

Beyond corporate voices, public and private stakeholders at Indaba also emphasized partnership as a theme driving policy and investment discussions. In sessions framed by the conference’s “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships” theme, ministers and industry leaders framed collaboration as a vehicle for shared value, regulatory clarity and sustainable development across Africa’s mining landscape. This sentiment was captured in remarks from several African policymakers who participated in high‑level dialogues, reinforcing that public‑private cooperation remains central to unlocking mineral wealth and societal benefit.

Bottom line

At Mining Indaba 2026, the diamond industry’s dominant storyline was clear: partnerships, from producer consortiums and marketing coalitions to corporate alliances, are increasingly seen as essential tools for navigating disruption, stimulating demand, and reinforcing the value of natural diamonds in a competitive global market. Leaders from across the value chain left Cape Town aligned on one principle: No single company, country or sector segment can future‑proof the diamond industry alone. Success depends on working together.