Luanda: The president of the World Diamond Council, Feriel Zerouki, praised on Wednesday in Luanda the reforms that have been introduced in Angola’s mining sector, contributing to greater transparency, deeper governance, and openness to responsible investment.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Zerouki made these remarks during the opening of the Angola International Mining Conference (AIMC 2025), which is being held on October 22 and 23 in Luanda. She highlighted that these reforms are consolidating Angola’s position as a leading African nation in the extractive industry and are instrumental in creating a world-class industry.
Zerouki commended Angola’s clear understanding of the value of natural diamonds, emphasizing a commitment that was reinforced by the Luanda Agreement, an international pact signed in June this year by diamond-producing countries.
The vice president for Trade and Industry at De Beers noted that since the memorandum of understanding was signed in 2024, the partnership with the Angolan government has made substantial progress. This includes an increase in production, support for semi-industrial mining, and the promotion of socioeconomic opportunities.
This collaborative effort is unlocking geological potential while building confidence in the sector, which in turn promotes job creation, skills development, and shared prosperity, as noted by the official.
The Angola International Mining Conference aims to enhance global mining investment opportunities in Angola by fostering strategic partnerships between domestic and foreign investors. The two-day event gathers representatives from international diamond organizations, analysts, producing companies, domestic and foreign investors, alongside an exhibition featuring 40 companies.