On 4th October 2026, the Kingdom of Lesotho marks 60 years of political independence.
The Diamond Jubilee is an occasion to celebrate the nation's history, achievements and
resilience. It is also an invitation to reflect seriously on the next phase of national development.
The central question is:
How does Lesotho translate political independence into greater economic
independence, productive capacity and shared prosperity?
The Africa SMMEs Development Trust (the Trust), a public interest development trust
registered and headquartered in Lesotho and active in Lesotho, South Africa, Zambia and
Zimbabwe, proposes to convene the Lesotho Economic Renaissance & Industrialisation
Forum 2026 on 25–26 November 2026 in Maseru, as a national, private-sector-led economic
mobilisation and action platform.
The Forum will bring together government, the private sector, SMMEs, farmers, cooperatives
and SACCOS, financial institutions, investors, development partners, industry associations,
academia, technology providers, youth, women and the Basotho diaspora around one
proposition:
Lesotho must progressively transition from a predominantly consumption- and
import-dependent economy towards a more productive, diversified, value-adding,
investment-led and export-capable economy.
The Forum is not conceived as another conference whose principal outcome is dialogue. Over
two focused days it will identify opportunities, broker partnerships, connect projects to capital,
organise value chains and secure named, measurable commitments, captured in the Lesotho
Economic Renaissance Declaration. The Forum will also launch the framework for the
Lesotho Productive Economy Programme 2026–2036 and the 100 Industries / Products
for the Next 60 Years work programme, and will be followed by a published 100-day
progress report.
The Forum is designed to complement, not duplicate, existing national platforms and
programmes, including the National Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) and Investment Climate
Action Plan (ICAP) coordinated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development,
the Prime Minister's Sebabatso youth empowerment initiative, and Lesotho's regional and
AfCFTA trade agenda.