Sixteen years after setting up its first Namibian operation, Ankit Gems has unveiled a state-of-the-art diamond cutting and polishing factory in Windhoek — a gleaming symbol of how far the country’s beneficiation ambitions have come.
The new multi-million-dollar facility, inaugurated on 7 November 2025, stands as one of Namibia’s most advanced investments in value addition, technology transfer and job creation within the diamond sector.
The factory employs 148 Namibians, most of whom are trained to operate some of the world’s most sophisticated diamond-cutting machinery.
At its inauguration, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in a speech delivered on her behalf by Interim Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Frans Kapofi, hailed the development as “a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art infrastructure that symbolises the culmination of an economic partnership between Namibia and India.”
She said Ankit Gems’ decision to expand its local presence demonstrated investor confidence in Namibia’s economy and reaffirmed the government’s policy of promoting domestic value addition.
“This development positions Namibia not only as a preferred investment destination but also as a nation committed to the prosperity of its people,” the President said.
From that opening, the story of Ankit Gems in Namibia unfolds — one of steady growth, skill transfer, and technological mastery that has reshaped how the country processes and exports its most prized natural resource.
A legacy of craftsmanship
Established in 1985 by Arvind, Arun and Dilip Shah, later joined by Vasant Shah, Pravin Shah and Dilip Soni, Ankit Gems grew into a global diamond-processing powerhouse renowned for precision, ethics and excellence.
Recognised by the Indian government as an export house, the company sources rough diamonds, crafts them into GIA Triple Excellent Rounds and Fancy-Shaped Diamonds, and exports to clients across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Ankit Gems entered Namibia in 2009 through a joint venture with Crystal Diamond Namibia, becoming one of the few companies worldwide to obtain sight allocations from the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC). Since then, its rough-diamond purchases have increased more than fourfold, and the company has secured additional NDTC allocations amounting to over half its initial trade-order value.
Following successful audits for Best Practice Principles (BPP) and Forevermark Integrity, the Windhoek operation began profitable production of Triple Excellent Round Diamonds, confirming Namibia’s growing capacity for high-end beneficiation.
Building skills and creating opportunity
From an initial team of just eight workers, Ankit Gems Namibia (Pty) Ltd has expanded into a workforce of 148, including 67 diamond cutters and polishers (40 men and 27 women), seven ancillary staff, nine local managers and 13 expatriate trainers.
Namibians now occupy 43 per cent of managerial roles, with ongoing training provided by experts from Ankit’s Surat headquarters.
To deepen technical expertise, selected Namibian artisans are also sent to India for advanced instruction before returning to lead local production lines. The result is a homegrown workforce capable of producing complex, Fancy-Shaped Diamonds with world-class precision and consistency.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah praised this approach, noting that it aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and Vision 2030, both of which prioritise industrialisation, skills development and technology transfer.
“By adding value locally, the factory transfers critical skills, fosters technological advancement and builds a more resilient economy,” she said.
Strengthening Namibia’s industrial base
The Windhoek plant integrates cutting-edge digital systems for planning, polishing, and quality control, and connects directly to international trading platforms. Finished stones are exported to Europe, Asia and the United States, enhancing Namibia’s footprint in the global luxury market.
The President said such projects are vital to tackling youth unemployment and strengthening local participation in a sector long dominated by rough-diamond exports. However, she also cautioned against complacency, warning that the rise of synthetic diamonds poses new challenges.
“It is critical that we enhance our value chain and differentiate our diamonds through superior craftsmanship and ethical sourcing,” she said.
A partnership forged in trust
The factory also stands as a product of Namibia’s deepening partnership with India.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled the July 2025 visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the factory’s inauguration reflects the success of those discussions. “Today’s inauguration is the result of that collaboration, and I encourage other investors to follow Ankit Gems’ example and seize the opportunities Namibia offers,” she said.
A model for sustainable growth
With advanced facilities in Surat, Botswana and Namibia, Ankit Gems now ranks among the few global diamond firms operating integrated beneficiation hubs in three major producing countries.
The company’s Namibian investment directly supports the goals of the Green Industrialisation Blueprint (2024–2040), which seeks to maximise local value from natural resources.
In closing, President Nandi-Ndaitwah commended Ankit Gems’ leadership and employees for their commitment to excellence and partnership.
“Your passion and dedication to the realisation of this project serve as a powerful motivation to our national development and shared prosperity,” she said.
The new Ankit Gems Namibia Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory cements the company’s position as a cornerstone of Namibia’s beneficiation drive — proof that when expertise, technology and trust converge, even the hardest stones can shine brighter at home.
