How does Botswana, the world’s top diamond producer, ensure sound management of its natural resources and that the revenues from the mining industry benefit the entire population?
In this video interview in the Mokolodi national park in advance of the Annual Democracy Forum 2014 in Gaborone, Botswana, Devex Associate Editor Richard Jones posed the question to Lameck Nthekela, the country’s ambassador to Sweden and a former senior official with the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority.
The national government, he explained, is the “custodian” of the diamonds, but civil society, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector all have a say in formulating policies and ensuring revenues benefit the people.
Watch the above clip to learn more insights from Nthekela on Botswana’s experience with natural resources management as a pillar of democracy and development, as well as how he views partnerships with the private sector in this area.
#DemocracyMatters is a three-week series exploring the intersection of democracy, development and natural resources management in partnership with International IDEA, the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
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About the author
Carlos Santamaria
As associate editor for breaking news, Carlos Santamaria supervises Devex's Manila-based news team and the creation of our daily newsletter. Carlos joined Devex after a decade working for international wire services Reuters, AP, Xinhua, EFE and Philippine social news network Rappler in Madrid, Beijing, Manila, New York and Bangkok. During that time, he also covered natural disasters on the ground in Myanmar and Japan.