Diarough Angola’s diamond cutting factory, the sixth industrial unit to operate within the Saurimo Diamond Development Hub, was officially opened on Saturday 15th in Saurimo, Lunda Sul province, by the Minister for Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo.

With an investment focused on training, Diarough Angola will initially employ young diamond cutters trained at the Centre for Diamond Training, Assessment and Cutting (CEFOLAD), with the aim of creating 100 direct jobs over the next 3 to 5 years and plans to expand to 500 employees.

In his speech, Diamantino Azevedo emphasised that this inauguration “goes beyond a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony” and represents the realisation of the Angolan government’s vision to transform Angola from a resource-extracting country into a leading industrial centre.

The minister highlighted that between 2021 and 2025, the volume of diamonds retained for local cutting grew by 150 per cent, from 25,000 to over 62,000 carats, and stressed that the most precious asset being ‘cut’ at this facility today is not the mineral diamond, but Angola’s human capital.

Addressing young people, the minister offered a message of encouragement: “Honour this opportunity with dedication, rigour and professionalism. In your hands, the raw materials of our land are transformed into the progress and future of our nation.”

The Chief Executive of the Diarough Group, which operates in 10 countries with over 10,000 employees and a 66-year history, stated that the choice of Angola was due to the leadership and policies of the Angolan Government.

The group also announced a social commitment, involving support for the São João Calabria Charity Organisation in Saurimo and the construction of a medical centre over the next two years, with the hope that children supported by the organisation may in future join Diarough Angola.

The ceremony was attended by the governor of Lunda Sul province, Gildo Matias, representatives from ENDIAMA, Sodiam, Catoca and Luele, civil, religious and military authorities, partners from the financial sector and the management of the Diarough Group.