Technology in Lesotho: Building a Digital Future

Technology is no longer something that belongs only to major cities or advanced economies. It has become part of everyday life in Lesotho—from mobile money and smartphones to online businesses, digital education and the growing use of artificial intelligence.

For a small, mountainous country like Lesotho, technology presents something bigger than convenience.

It presents an opportunity to connect people, create businesses, improve public services and give Basotho access to opportunities beyond the country's borders.

But the question is no longer whether Lesotho needs technology.

The question is whether we can build the skills, infrastructure and mindset required to use it effectively.

Lesotho's Digital Transformation

Lesotho has been moving towards a more digitally driven economy, with government placing digital transformation, innovation and ICT infrastructure among its development priorities.

The country's National Digital Transformation Strategy 2024–2030 sets out a vision for expanding digital infrastructure, improving government services and supporting innovation. The strategy also recognises areas such as digital business, digital skills, cybersecurity and digital government as important components of the country's future.

This matters because digital transformation is not simply about putting government services online.

It is about changing how people work, learn, communicate, trade and solve problems.

Technology Is Already Changing Everyday Life

For many Basotho, the digital transformation has already started.

Mobile phones have become essential tools for communication, banking, business and accessing information. Mobile money, in particular, has become an important part of financial activity in Lesotho.

World Bank data from the 2025 Global Findex shows that mobile money is deeply integrated into financial life in Lesotho, with 60.3% of surveyed respondents reporting that they typically keep money in their mobile money account.

This is an important lesson.

Technology does not always have to arrive in the form of sophisticated systems or expensive computers.

Sometimes, transformation starts with something as simple as a mobile phone.

The Opportunity for Young Basotho

One of Lesotho's greatest technology opportunities is its young population.

A young person with a laptop, smartphone and internet connection can potentially access knowledge, training, clients and markets far beyond Lesotho.

Software development, graphic design, digital marketing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, content creation, e-commerce and online freelancing are just some of the areas where technology can create new opportunities.

The opportunity is particularly important because digital work does not always require a large physical office or expensive infrastructure.

A skilled person in Maseru, Leribe, Mafeteng or Thaba-Tseka can potentially provide services to a client in Johannesburg, Nairobi, London or New York.

The internet has changed the geography of opportunity.

Technology and Local Businesses

Technology also has the potential to transform how Basotho businesses operate.

A small business can now establish an online presence, communicate with customers through social media, receive digital payments, advertise products online and sell beyond its immediate community.

For farmers, technology can provide access to weather information, agricultural knowledge, markets and digital financial services.

For retailers, it can improve inventory management and customer communication.

For professionals, it can create new ways to market skills and services.

The opportunity is therefore not limited to technology companies.

Every industry can become a technology-enabled industry.

Artificial Intelligence Is the Next Conversation

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most important technology developments in the world, and Lesotho cannot afford to ignore it.

AI can potentially support education, agriculture, healthcare, business, research, government administration and creative industries.

Lesotho has already been developing an AI policy framework and has identified artificial intelligence as part of its broader digital transformation agenda.

But adopting AI should not mean simply importing technology created elsewhere.

Lesotho also needs to ask:

How can AI solve problems that matter to Basotho?

That could mean tools that support Sesotho language resources, agriculture, local businesses, education, public services and access to information.

The biggest opportunity may not be consuming AI.

It may be building with it.

The Digital Divide Remains

Technology also exposes an important challenge: not everyone has equal access.

The government has acknowledged that significant gaps remain in internet access and digital skills. The National Digital Transformation Strategy is intended in part to address these inequalities and expand meaningful participation in the digital economy.

Connectivity outside major urban centres remains particularly important.

Recent government investment has included additional communication towers, fibre infrastructure and efforts to expand broadband connectivity across the country.

Infrastructure matters because having a digital economy means little if large sections of the population cannot reliably participate in it.

We Need More Than Internet Access

Connecting people is only the beginning.

Lesotho needs digital skills.

A person may have access to a smartphone but still lack the knowledge required to use technology productively.

Schools, colleges, universities, businesses and government therefore have an important role to play in developing practical digital skills.

We need young people who can do more than use technology.

We need young people who can create technology, manage technology and solve problems with technology.

That means encouraging coding, cybersecurity, data analysis, digital design, entrepreneurship, AI and other technology-related disciplines.

Building Technology for Lesotho

The future of technology in Lesotho should not simply be about copying what larger countries are doing.

We should build solutions around our own challenges.

How can technology improve agriculture?

How can digital platforms make government services easier to access?

How can Basotho businesses reach international customers?

How can technology help students learn outside traditional classrooms?

How can AI support local languages and culture?

How can young people turn digital skills into sustainable careers?

These are the questions that should shape Lesotho's technology conversation.

The Future Is Being Built Now

Lesotho's digital transformation is still developing, but the foundations are being established.

Government has identified digital government, digital business, digital skills, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and innovation as key areas of focus.

At the same time, businesses, entrepreneurs, students and young innovators are creating their own digital opportunities.

The next stage will require collaboration.

Government must create the right environment.

Businesses must invest in technology.

Educational institutions must develop relevant skills.

And young Basotho must be encouraged to become creators rather than only consumers of technology.

Technology will not automatically transform Lesotho.

People will.

Technology is simply the tool.

The real opportunity lies in what Basotho choose to build with it.

Thabelo Sekhopha — Technology, Innovation & the Future of Lesotho.