At 16, she was a policy volunteer. Today, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo is the economist rewriting the rules for De Beers and her country's diamond trade. In this exclusive interview, Botswana's visionary leader reveals why the "Diamond Era" is shifting—and how the country is racing to unearth a 70% unexplored frontier of critical minerals.

We sit down at the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town to discuss Botswana's seismic economic pivot under President Duma Boko. As the global market faces a diamond slump, Minister Kenewendo outlines a radical new strategy: moving beyond raw extraction into downstream beneficiation, regional power interconnectors, and the unearthing of green minerals like copper, nickel, and manganese.

From the future of the De Beers partnership to the reality of Africa’s energy crisis and the "Kalahari Copper Belt," she outlines how she plans to navigate geopolitical turbulence while protecting Botswana's most valuable assets.

Chapters:

0:00 | The Diamond Dilemma: Why the monolith economy must pivot

1:15 | The 70% Frontier: Unearthing Africa’s hidden minerals

2:48 | Critical Minerals: Copper, Manganese, and the Green Revolution

4:20 | Regional Collaboration: Mining in Zambia, DRC, and Sierra Leone

5:50 | The Beneficiation Mandate: Why jewellery must be made in Botswana

8:01 | The Career Trajectory: From youth delegate to Minister

11:00 | Leading in a Male-Dominated Industry: “I stand my ground”

12:45 | The New Social License: Beyond CSR and "School Shoes"

14:30 | Nature Regeneration: Finalizing the new ESG policy

16:03 | President Duma Boko’s Vision: Urgency and Diversification

18:20 | Energy Security: The 500MW push for industrialization

#botswana#diamonds#criticalminerals#mininginvestment#africa#

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SAMAILA ZUBAIRU, CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, explores the strategic importance of African minerals in the context of global economic competition, infrastructure development, and the need for leadership coordination. As we chatted at the 2026 Investment in Mining Indaba in Cape Town, he emphasised the potential for Africa to transform its mineral resources into bankable projects that can drive economic growth and job creation. In our conversation, Mr Zubairu highlighted the urgency of seizing current opportunities while balancing domestic needs with global market demands.

Key Takeaways

*The strategic minerals compendium aims to reframe conversations around African minerals.

*Africa's minerals should not be viewed merely as commodities for export.

*Infrastructure development is crucial for realising Africa's aspirations.

*Leadership coordination is essential for effective resource management.

*Regional collaboration is vital for industrial decarbonisation and economic growth.

*Investment in mining can exceed four to five billion dollars annually.

*Africa's market potential is significant and must be recognized.

*Domestic needs should be prioritised alongside global market demands.

*Job creation is a key metric for evaluating projects in Africa.

*Current political will presents a unique opportunity for development.

Chapters

00:00

Reframing Africa's Mineral Narrative

03:28

Seizing the Moment for Infrastructure Development

07:28

Navigating Global Competition and Local Opportunities

11:30

Balancing Domestic Needs and Global Markets

14:30

The Moment for Leadership in Africa

Key Words

*Africa, minerals, infrastructure, investment, leadership, economic development, industrialisation, global competition, market opportunities, sustainable growth

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We talk to author, BARNABY PHILLIPS about his new book which details the British looting of Kumasi, the Ashanti heartland, in what is now Ghana. There had been many conflicts in the course of a century between the British and the Ashanti, but Barnaby focuses on the battle of 1874 in which the Asantehene's palace was systematically stripped of its treasures, many of which had sacred value.

The loot was then officially auctioned off at Cape Coast Castle to British officers and traders. Described by one contemporary MP as 'simply a policy of robbery', the book highlights the moral contradiction of the British Empire. The British justified the invasion as a. mission to bring 'civilisation' to 'barbarians'.

But the book sheds light on the 'racist hypocrisy' of the victors who, after destroying the city, sold the sacred religious artifacts to London jewellers and private collectors to raise fund for the war effort.

The cultural heart and soul of the Ashanti kingdom - The Golden Stool - though was never taken. It was kept hidden in forests and protected by villagers for decades - ensuring the continuity of the kingdom despite the exile of its king and queen.

Barnaby traces the specific journeys of famous items, like the 'Wallace Head',

from the moment of their looting to their current locations. A key takeaway is how these objects shifted from being sacred royal regalia in Kumasi to being 'curios' in Victorian drawing rooms, and finally to contested museum exhibits in the 21st century.

Barnaby tells us more about the recent return of some artifacts - a mere 32 of them - in 2024 and that it was the culmination of a century of diplomacy.

Despite the burning of their capital in 1874, and the exile of their King Prempeh I in 1896, the Ashanti kingdom survived. We hear how the monarchy's prestige has been restored and how the current Asantehene, Osei Tutu II, successfully negotiated the return of his ancestors' treasures, if only on a loaned basis.

I was joined by Patrick Smith, Editor of Africa Confidential and Writer and Broadcaster, Donu Kogbara.

Barnaby Phillips' book The African Kingdom of Gold: Britain and the Asante Treasure is published by Oneworld

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