Precious Nyakudya |  11 months ago | top

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged African countries to invest in the diamond mining sector through enhanced cooperation and ensure increased beneficiation of the natural resource, if the continent is to grow its economy.

Officially opening the extraordinary meeting of the Association of the African Diamond Producing Countries Committee of Experts and Council of Ministers meeting in Victoria Falls today, President Mnangagwa said the mining sector remains a significant contributor to world economies and the largest foreign currency earner to developing countries.

The call comes at a time Zimbabwe has set a target to attain a US$12 billion industry by 2023 as part of initiatives meant to stimulate economic growth.

ADPA was formed in 2006 with the aim to improve cooperation between African member countries in policies and strategies concerning prospecting, mining, production, cutting and polishing, as well as development of human resources and acquisition of technologies in the diamond sector.

The meeting which ends on Saturday, April 9, is running under the theme, .''Organisational and Structural Reforms of the Association of the the African Diamond Producing Countries''