PHOTO CREDIT-De Beers Group
-21 Oct 2025
Initiative forms part of the transformative Sales Agreement announced earlier this year
The Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group are pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of graduates selected for the International Graduate Development Programme (IGDP), which has formally commenced. This milestone marks the start of one of several pioneering initiatives under the landmark Sales Agreement signed in February 2025.
The IGDP offers high-achieving Batswana graduates a two-year international placement across De Beers Group’s global operations. Participants will gain world-class skills, global exposure and leadership development, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to Botswana’s future workforce and international presence.
Following a rigorous selection process to identify the successful candidates from a large group of high caliber applicants, the graduates selected as part of the first cohort reflect the breadth of Botswana’s emerging talent, spanning disciplines such as Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Project Management, Accounting and Finance, Economics, Law, Engineering, Human Resources, Marketing, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The selection was guided by a structured and merit-based evaluation process designed to identify individuals with the highest potential for long-term success and impact.
Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy, said: “The selection of the first IGDP graduates marks a proud milestone in our partnership with De Beers Group. As part of our new Sales Agreement, this initiative reflects our commitment to equipping Botswana’s youth for the future of work. It’s about more than individual success—it’s about shaping a new generation of leaders to drive innovation and progress for all Batswana. Congratulations to the inaugural cohort”
Malebogo Mpugwa, Chief People Officer of De Beers Group, added: “De Beers Group has long supported the growth and diversity of Botswana’s talent pipeline and we are pleased to be building on that track record by welcoming the first cohort of IGDP participants to our business, where we know they will make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable skills and exposure that will benefit their own careers and Botswana’s future success. We wish them all the very best as they embark on this exciting and rewarding journey.”
The IGDP aims to set a strong foundation for long-term impact in line with Botswana’s broader ambitions for skills development, youth empowerment, and long-term economic transformation.
Looking ahead, the programme will run biennially, with a new cohort selected every two years. Similar outreach and career-readiness initiatives will continue to accompany the selection process, helping graduates and applicants alike to hone their business and leadership skills for future success.
The IGDP is one part of a comprehensive Talent Development Programme launched earlier this year as part of the new Sales Agreement, which also includes:
- Postgraduate Sponsorship Programme: for Master’s and PhD students, also commencing in October 2025.
- Internship Programme: Starting in December 2025, this initiative will offer three to six-month placements for final-year students from universities and vocational institutions at De Beers Global Sightholder Sales (DBGSS) in Gaborone.
- Leaders Accelerator Programme for senior Batswana professionals within De Beers, Debswana and DTCB.
- Government Leadership Programme: offering international secondments and committee appointments.
- Upcoming initiatives such as the Diamond Entrepreneurship Programme.
Further details on these initiatives will be shared in due course.
