Overview
Endiama (Empresa Nacional de Diamantes de Angola, E.P.) is Angola’s state-owned diamond concessionaire and the gatekeeper of the country’s diamond mining sector. As the world’s fifth-largest diamond producer by value and fourth by volume, Angola’s diamond industry represents the most significant non-oil mineral resource and a critical pillar of the government’s economic diversification strategy. Endiama holds concession rights to Angola’s diamond deposits and enters into joint ventures and production-sharing agreements with international mining companies.
Corporate Structure and Mandate
Endiama operates as a state enterprise under the supervision of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas. Its functions include:
- Concession management: Granting and administering exploration and mining licenses across Angola’s diamond-producing regions
- Joint venture participation: Holding equity stakes in mining operations alongside international partners
- Revenue collection: Channeling diamond royalties, dividends, and production-sharing income to the state treasury via MINFIN
- Sector regulation: Overseeing compliance with mining laws, environmental standards, and Kimberley Process requirements
Production and Key Operations
Angola’s diamond production is concentrated in the northeastern provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Global ranking | 5th by value, 4th by volume |
| Primary regions | Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul |
| Key minerals | Diamonds (gem-quality and industrial) |
| Major operations | Catoca (joint venture with Alrosa), Lulo (Lucapa Diamond Company) |
| Kimberley Process | Compliant member |
The Catoca mine, a joint venture between Endiama, Russia’s Alrosa, and other partners, is one of the world’s largest diamond mines by output. The Lulo concession, operated by Australia’s Lucapa Diamond Company in partnership with Endiama, has produced some of the largest gem-quality diamonds discovered in recent years, enhancing Angola’s reputation in the global diamond market.
PROPRIV Privatization
Endiama has been identified as a candidate for partial privatization under the PROPRIV programme, the government’s multi-year initiative to divest stakes in state-owned enterprises. A partial sale of Endiama or its subsidiaries could:
- Generate fiscal revenue for the government
- Attract international mining expertise and capital
- Improve operational efficiency and governance
- Potentially create a BODIVA-listed mining security, expanding the exchange’s sector coverage beyond banks and insurance
Capital Markets Relevance
While Endiama is not currently listed on BODIVA, the company’s financial health and production trajectory have significant implications for Angola’s economy:
- Non-oil revenue: Diamond exports contribute to the government’s non-oil revenue base, reducing fiscal dependence on petroleum at a time when the OPEC exit and mature field declines create production uncertainty
- FX earnings: Diamond exports provide foreign currency income that supplements oil-related FX flows, supporting the BNA’s reserve management ($15.3 billion in FX reserves)
- Sovereign credit: Diamond sector performance is incorporated into ratings agency assessments of Angola’s non-oil economic potential (S&P B- / Moody’s B3 / Fitch B-)
Investor Considerations
Investors should monitor Endiama for potential PROPRIV-related developments, including any IPO or strategic sale announcements. The global diamond market’s pricing dynamics, driven by luxury demand and the growing synthetic diamond segment, affect Angola’s mineral revenue outlook. Endiama’s governance reforms, transparency improvements, and Kimberley Process compliance status are also relevant to the investment case. For investors seeking exposure to Angola’s non-oil economy, the diamond sector through Endiama represents one of the most tangible diversification assets in the country’s portfolio.