Namibia unveils 176-carat diamond, largest in 20 years

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially unveiled a 176.29-carat natural diamond in Windhoek, marking the largest gem-quality stone recovered at Namdeb’s Southern Coastal Mine in Oranjemund in two decades.

The diamond was discovered on May 10 at the coastal mining operation. During the unveiling at the Namibia Diamond Trading Company offices, the President described the find as a significant national milestone and a source of pride for the country.

The discovery occurs as the global diamond industry faces challenges from market volatility, shifting consumer preferences, and increased competition from laboratory-grown diamonds. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that mining remains a critical economic enabler for Namibia, essential for job creation, investment, and funding public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.