Diamond Empowerment Fund grants $130,000 to Botswana Top Achievers Program

The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) donated USD 130,000 to the Botswana Top Achiever Program, during a dinner reception with Botswana President Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, on the eve of the opening of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Top Achiever program recognises students across Botswana and provides them with the ability to study in premier universities around the world. Students then come back to Botswana and contribute to its economic diversification. The DEF has contributed to the Botswana Top Achievers program since 2011.

In his remarks thanking the DEF, President Masisi recognised that through DEF's Diamonds Do Good initiative, the Botswana diamond story is reflected in a hugely positive way, emphasising how ethically sourced diamonds have made and will continue to make enormous contributions to Botswana's economy, an example of good governance and industry best practices.

"Everyone from Botswana attending this reception tonight in some way benefits from diamonds. We thank the Diamond Empowerment Fund for investing in the future of our next generation of leaders," he said.

DEF President Anna Martin added, "We are thrilled that through our supporters in the diamond industry, we are able to give back to Botswana which is one of the top producers of diamonds in the world. Diamonds truly do good.