Former South African President Thabo Mbeki on Monday called on African countries to guard against illicit export of its capital through diamond trading.

"As Africa, we must remain vigilant to ensure the export of diamonds does not open another window for illicit export of capital from our continent," the ex-leader said when addressing delegates at Zimbabwe's inaugural diamond conference.

He also spoke on the need for Zimbabwe to effectively use revenue from diamonds to improve living standards of the people and to guard against private control of the diamonds.

"The political leadership must ensure that diamonds are not governed by a private elite which uses access to state power to enrich itself.. acting in collusion with some of the companies," Mbeki said.

There are four companies mining diamonds in Chiadzwa, a vast diamond field discovered a few years ago in the eastern part of the country.

He said the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme must also be insulated from political abuse to ensure it represents members in a just and fair manner.

"The KP must not be used to compromise Africa, a major diamond producer," he said.

The two-day diamond conference is being attended by delegates from African diamond producing countries and the world's top diamond trade leaders that include KP chair Gillian Milovanovic.

The conference is aimed at highlighting Zimbabwe's achievements and to share experiences and challenges in the diamond mining sector.