A statement from the National Diamond Company of Angola (Endiama) highlights that the two companies will join the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), an international organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of this precious mineral, as of July 1 of this year, as contributing members.
“Endiama and Sodiam will begin their commitment to global category marketing through the NDC with a contribution of eight million dollars, dedicated to the second half of 2025, supporting the most critical commercial season for the sector”, says the statement.
De Beers, a current member of the NDC, simultaneously announced that it will make an additional contribution to the institution, matching the commitment of Endiama and Sodiam.
Endiama and Sodiam now join the current members of the NDC, De Beers, Okavango Diamond Company, Petra Diamonds, Rio Tinto and Murowa.
In the statement, the two companies highlight their joint commitment to commercialising the generic category by joining the NDC next month.
Angola, as the world’s third largest producer of natural diamonds and one of the most promising in terms of future discoveries of deposits, continues to strengthen its position as a responsible and influential player in the global diamond industry, the document highlights.
“This action reinforces the country’s commitment to transparency, sustainability and consumer education about the unique value of natural diamonds,” it highlights.
According to the statement, the natural diamond sector continues to be a vital pillar of the country’s socio-economic development, supporting employment, infrastructure, education and healthcare in producing regions.
“With the Angolan diamond industry on the rise, promoting the values and socio-economic contributions of natural diamonds is a national priority,” said the Angolan Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, quoted in the statement.
The minister stressed that by joining the NDC, Endiama and Sodiam are formalizing their dedication to a global strategy that highlights the unparalleled benefits of natural diamonds for new generations of consumers.
“We are excited to welcome Endiama and Sodiam to the NDC at such an important time for the sector,” said NDC CEO David Kellie, also quoted in the note, considering that Angola’s integration will “significantly enrich” the collective voice of diamond producers.
This week, Angola held a “Ministerial Roundtable on Natural Diamonds: Challenges and Opportunities” in Luanda, in which the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas called on African diamond-producing countries to move towards a shared strategy, “based on unity and collective aspiration,” to safeguard the future of the African natural diamond industry against synthetic diamonds.
In Angola, diamonds have contributed significantly to national reconstruction, funding schools, hospitals, roads and water supply systems. In 2024, the country produced more than 14 million carats and authorities are investing in valorization, traceability, transparency and good governance, Diamantino Azevedo told the meeting.
