The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the sector organization representing the interests of 1,470 Antwerp diamond companies, is hosting a high-level Angolan delegation this week, led by Diamantino Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources. The two-day visit focuses on deepening trade relations between Angola as a producer of premium rough diamonds and Antwerp as the most reliable and transparent diamond trading center and gateway to the international luxury and jewellery markets. The ambition is clear: to trade more Angolan rough diamonds via Antwerp, in the interest of both partners.
In addition to Minister Azevedo, the delegation includes Dr José Ganga Junior, Chairman of Endiama (the state-owned company managing Angola’s diamond mines), and Eugénio Bravo da Rosa, Chairman of SODIAM, responsible for the sale of all Angolan rough diamonds. “This visit is much more than a diplomatic moment. We are bringing concrete supply and demand together,” says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. “We are organizing targeted one-on-one sessions between Endiama and SODIAM on the one hand, and relevant players within the Antwerp diamond sector on the other – ranging from rough traders and cutters to tender companies – and linking them with major luxury jewellery brands.”
In 2024, Angola produced more than USD 1.4 billion worth of rough diamonds, making it the world’s second-largest diamond producer by value. Historically, however, the Angolan diamond sector struggled with a reputation for limited transparency, resulting in a significant share of trade taking place in less regulated markets such as Dubai. The current Angolan government under President João Lourenço is determined to leave this legacy behind and has, in recent years, made a clear shift towards transparency, compliance and international credibility. This policy shift is once again making Antwerp – with its strict regulations, extensive controls and advanced traceability – an attractive sales market. In 2024, 21% of Angola’s rough diamond production was exported directly to Antwerp.
“By trading more Angolan diamonds through Antwerp, we create added value,” Rentmeesters emphasises. “Not only economically, but also in terms of reputation. Antwerp helps position Angolan diamonds as a responsible, premium product, on par with diamonds from countries such as Botswana, Lesotho or Canada.”
In this respect, stronger trade relations represent a clear win-win. For Antwerp, they mean better and faster access to high-quality Angolan rough diamonds, which can be sorted locally and sold in a market-oriented way through auctions or direct client relationships between Antwerp companies and SODIAM. For Angola, Antwerp offers a reliable connection to the world’s leading luxury and jewellery houses, where origin, transparency and compliance are increasingly decisive factors.