African diamond producers, led by Botswana, want the EU and G7's March 1 tracking and certification system reviewed.
The agreement requires diamonds entering EU and G7 countries—70% of the global diamond market—to be certified in Antwerp, Belgium, to prevent the importation of sanctioned Russian diamonds.
The traceability project has delayed clearance and disrupted the supply chain.
Voice of America (VOA) reports that African diamond producers are arguing that this has increased expenses.
An unnamed Belgian official was quoted as saying that all certifications are now processed within 24 hours.
The official also stated importers' lack of documentation caused delays.
He said African countries were not incurring any costs since mining companies defray the production expenses.
"From the onset, we have taken the concerns raised by African diamond producers about the introduction of G7-EU sanctions against Russian diamonds seriously," the official said.
"This is the reason why we have taken those concerns into account from the very beginning of our discussions and have tried to fully address them.
"Belgian authorities have also reached out to several African producers between September 2023 and February 2024 to listen, explain and adjust the ongoing work on the implementation of sanctions against diamonds from the Russian Federation."
Botswana's president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, claimed the EU and G7 had not reacted to African producers' letter about the new tracking system.
Masisi told France's minister of state for development and international partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, that G7 countries should examine traceability.
"Tell them that will be a regression in terms of our development and an ominous threat to our own existence, and everything that we base our growth on," Masisi said.
"We just think that because they did not engage sufficiently, they haven't come to appreciate what the threats are to the industry and livelihoods and the economies."
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
