Dr. M’Zee Fula Ngenge speaking at ‘ Adaptive Model for Research and Empowerment in Communities (AMREC)

Dr. M’Zee Fula Ngenge speaking at ‘ Adaptive Model for Research and Empowerment in Communities (AMREC)-Pan-African Resource Reporting Code (PARC) Sensitization and the Africa Gemstone, Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) Expansion Workshop’

I would first like to recognize: Members of the Sierra Leonean government, The Director of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), The Programme Management Officer, Members of the Sierra Leonean government, as well as my visiting distinguished colleagues. It is important for me to also applaud the African Union Heads of State and Government’s adoption of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) which took place 16 years ago.

I am Dr M’zée Fula Ngenge, and I am the chairman of the African Diamond Council (ADC). The ADC has been in existence since 1999, and the work we put into Africa is such a way that the industry has failed to represent itself. Many of the industry’s challenges and most of the problems on the African continent were stifling our industry at that particular time. Some would even agree that the problems that the African continent was facing were deliberate.

The ADC aims to collaborate with entities under the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and Agenda 2063,  which is Africa’s development blueprint that focuses on transparent, equitable and sustainable mineral resource management.

Our objectives are to:

1.Strengthen policy coherence between diamond-specific strategies and broader mineral governance.

2.We aim to drive ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship, and community benefits.

3.We also set out to build technical, regulatory, and entrepreneurial skills across the diamond value chain.

4.We have improved decision-making in our industry through integrated mineral data systems.

5.And for the last 26 years, we have amplified Africa’s voice in global forums on both diamonds and minerals.

In other words, we look to

1.Enhance Governance

2.Promote Sustainability

3.Boost Local Capacity

4.Leverage Data

5.Advocate Collectively throughout the global diamond sector

Looking at Areas of Cooperation:

Policy Harmonization is key to the mandate of the African Diamond Council (ADC)

Jointly we develop and propose policies that align with the AMV principles through local content and revenue transparency.

An example would be ‘Operation Transparency’, which took place in the Republic of Angola in 2018

Progress in the global diamond industry can also be credited to the African Diamond Manufacturers Association (ADMA), the African International Diamond Exchange (AIDEX) and the African Diamond Trust Fund (ADTF).

About Capacity Building:

These entities take pleasure in designing and proposing training programs for governments, miners, and communities. Each of these entities is Active in the areas of diamond valuation, certification and broader mineral governance.

We also commit a great deal of time to developing E-learning platforms and workshops on best practices to youth who are interested in the minerals sector, particularly diamonds.

Regarding Research & Innovation:

ADC encourages collaborative studies on sustainable mining technologies and diamond traceability.

We participate in pilot projects for reducing environmental impact and the formalisation of artisanal mining is also a concentrated focus of the ADC.

About AdVoCacy & Certification:

The ADC is interested in Joint campaigns for ethical sourcing standards as well as for improving global certification schemes.

We also seek to establish unified positions in international forums,  such as the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

About Data Integration:

We compile quite a bit of industry data for analytics and to enhance efforts in African Mining policymaking.

We are determined to upgrade development in African communities and infrastructure.

We are continuously proposing Initiatives that enhance education, healthcare, and economic diversification in African mining regions.

ADC’s Technical Working Groups:

They are focused on specific areas, such as Research and Development as well as Advocacy.

To highlight expertise:

The ADC contributes diamond-sector knowledge, while promoting the African diamond trade through international media platforms In a variety of languages

The ADC focuses on enhancing the global diamond trade to curb conflict minerals,  boost transparency, and maximize local value addition, which aligns with AU priorities, such as the AMV as well as with the “Silencing the Guns” Initiative.

We are very guarded with sensitive industry data as well as intellectual property. We are also fully engaged when it comes to Dispute Resolution (as some of you saw last night), We put forth a great deal of energy into Revenue Recovery and the return of confiscated, smuggled goods back to their countries of origin.

Since I have mentioned countries of origin, I would like to highlight some of the opportunities that exist within the global diamond sector and the entire gemstone trade. The ADC has an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s role in the diamond and mineral markets through unified advocacy for traceability. In the last four years, the ADC has been on a mission to position Africa as a leader in sustainable mining technologies.

The probable strategic partnerships that exist within this room would harness ADC’s diamond expertise, and AMDC’s mineral governance framework would drive inclusive growth, aligning with the continental goals that many of you are familiar with. The level of Success would be measured by improved policy coherence, enhanced local benefits, and stronger global representation, not only in Africa’s mineral sector, but in the entire gemstone sector.

Imagine being asked the question about the diamond jewellery that we typically see being worn. We must remember and keep in mind that 8 of the top 10 diamond producing nations are AFRICAN, except Russia and Canada. Imagine every First Lady within an African diamond-producing nation wearing the most beautiful jewellery at EVERY international event they attend. Let’s take into consideration that this jewellery is made from AFRICAN, NATURAL and PREMIUM goods, rather than synthetics. Not only exclusive to diamonds, but also to other gemstones produced in Africa, such as Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds and Tanzanite.

Imagine that each time an African supermodel is questioned during a high-profile global event about what she’s wearing. That question should be followed by: What is the country of origin for the diamonds or gemstones that you’re wearing? And, what is the name of the mine that these diamonds or gemstones were extracted from? Now that African cinema is beginning to exhibit more potential and global dominance, it is time to encourage African filmmakers to place more energy into product placement with a conscious effort to successfully launch African luxury goods. An African jewellery designer does not have to win a Shining Lights Award to achieve global success, especially when the continent possesses more than 1.5 billion potential consumers.

There are terms such as: Sustainability, Transparency, Beneficiation and Traceability, and we need to understand who invented these terms as well as how these terms became popular. As Africans, I know that it is our nature to become more obsessed with trends, schemes and mechanisms so much more than those who take the responsibility to deliver them to us, but I am determined to alter and change that mindset. I am a firm believer that it is important to lead, rather than follow.

Going back to traceability, Blockchain technology was introduced in the global diamond industry in AFRICA by a company called EVERLEDGER, which had several pilot programs that were running in parallel. The first one was launched in 2018 right here in Sierra Leone through an initiative that was called GEMFAIR, which had participation from the DeBeers Group of Companies. From that blockchain, Tracr was born. De Beers’ aggressive marketing and the rush to CONTROL, left Everledger behind to basically reinvent itself. They went on the partner with Brilliant Earth in 2019 and from that point on, the industry has become inundated with private blockchain initiatives that serve primarily as inventory management systems, that are designed to trace diamonds.

Some of us place the dots on paper, and some take the easy road to outline the dots by tracing from one dot to the next. Blockchain positions mining companies to replace paper systems with digital. Both PUBLIC and PRIVATE technologies create a unique digital identity for the asset. It is important to disclose that, PUBLIC blockchain makes certain information available to all stakeholders without compromising security, which is something the ADC is fully in favour of.

Since then, Everledger has developed a blockchain technology called Provenance Proof which rivals other private blockchains, such as Opsydia and ITracei. What I began to realize at that point, was everyone was pointing their barrel in the same direction, with many of them missing the target and others without sufficient ammunition to finish the undertaking.

There is a looming question: Will blockchain ALONE solve the problems and challenges we face in the African diamond industry? The simple answer is “NO”. Does it enhance the way Africa brings diamonds to the marketplace? The answer is “YES”.

In our most structured environments, such as Botswana, South Africa or Nambia, this approach is viewed as a victory. However, in countries, such as Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, much more is required. In Angola and Zimbabwe, these countries are in transition and on the road to improving their overall mining infrastructure. In Lesotho, there are few or no consequences to exploiting a country that produces some of the precious diamonds on the continent, and smuggling operations come with even less scrutiny.

Angola launched an initiative in 2018 that was referred to as Operation Transparency. This was a voluntary initiative that exhibited an incredibly strong will for sovereignty in the African diamond sector. It was so successful, that it served as a wonderful example for the African oil sector to demonstrate sufficient autonomy that Angola ended up exiting OPEC. Unfortunately, that departure from OPEC was not enough to prevent the Angolan diamond sector from making the same mistake of being held hostage by lobby groups that pretend to govern the entire global diamond industry.

What am I suggesting to mines and global diamond centres as well as to the United Nations, the African Union, the European Commission, the G7, as well as to the Russian Federation and the United States is to carefully examine the real advancements that have been made in our industry over the last 4 years. Within that period, the African Diamond Council had ample time to carefully evaluate all the offerings that were being presented, and I was even active in improving the foundation that was being constructed.

I carefully evaluated each offering, and there was one that stood out more than the others. At the same time, this was not just a blockchain technology, it quickly became a traceability solution that is focused on AFRICA in a way that the others would not. It was the only one that was willing to present PUBLIC Blockchain, and they were willing to create a compatible mechanism with ALL the private blockchains that were being presented.

At the same time, it allowed African diamond-producing nations to express their concerns as well as outline what they felt was necessary to resolve issues and challenges that the industry was currently facing. None of the private blockchains ON OFFER were interested in providing solutions for Africa, none were interested in having African representation at the helm of development, and the narrative that was being pitched to the G7 at the outset did not include Africa at all.

Perhaps, traceability was not meant to be a BONA FIDE or DELIBERATE solution, and if BLOCKCHAIN fell short, they never expected Africa to move beyond their expectations. Nonetheless, a major shift in diamond traceability is underway and its momentum cannot be stopped, especially once everyone demonstrates that they possess an understanding of the global impact.

Authentia is an end-to-end ecosystem blockchain-powered platform that is presented as a four-pronged traceability solution.

These features are highlighted by:

1.      CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN – So, if a producing mine provides direct material uploads from mines and creates a digital twin of those diamonds, then the MINE should be entitled to issue certificates of origin for rough diamonds at the point of extraction

2.    Authentia is built on a PUBLIC BLOCKCHAIN that is compatible with a private blockchain and is tailed to prevent information from being mishandled or leaked. It utilises the INTERNET of THINGS with tamper-proof digital records that are sealed TRACK parcels. Keep in mind that PRIVATE blockchains can and do pose a centralisation risk.

3       Nanotechnology is where the nano tagging can take place sub-surface and/or above-surface on a rough or polished diamond. Authentia’s patented technology enables smartphones to read these nano-markings meaning that the nano tag can be read by a cellphone lens and powered by Artificial Intelligence for added security.

4       TITLES of OWNERSHIP : To date, Authentia has been granted 26 international patents in four different continents. Can be applied to any gemstone, and there is no better place to commence than with those diamonds that are extracted in Africa. Blockchain technology IN GENERAL, DOES possess the capacity to impact diamond prices by improving efficiency in the diamond supply chain, but as I said, it is an INVENTORY MANAGEMENT system that takes the industry from PAPER to DIGITAL. The KP certificate GIVES PERMISSION TO EXPORT rough diamonds Authentia.io’s integration into the KP and the African diamond supply chains elevates market trust, operational efficiency, and ethical branding. This positions African rough diamonds as premium products, driving price increases while modernizing the KP to meet contemporary challenges. The result is a win-win for ethical commerce, African economies, and global consumers.  

The ADC possesses political will and shall continue to complement the global diamond industry without making the mistake to duplicate what has already been achieved. We are keen to collaborate with industry bodies, the AMDC, the Kimberley Process and national agencies within African diamond producing nations. We do understand the challenges that AU organs have, which results from a lack of enforcement power, however, the ADC is willing to assume responsibility to bind mechanisms, such as sanctions for non-compliance.

Strong political sponsorship from member states is necessary, but they must not aid or participate in destabilisation efforts. We are fully aware that strategic alignment and advocacy are feasible. And the ADC shall continue to play a critical role in formalising Africa’s diamond sector, ensuring transparency, and capturing greater value for African economies.

Thank you!

 Dr M’Zee Fula Ngenge