Moroke Sekoboto
LESOTHO must embrace clean technologies to ensure its energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability, Energy Minister, Mohlomi Moleko, has said.
Mr Moleko said like many nations, Lesotho faced the imperative of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
He made the remarks during the recent Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP)’s Lesotho Cleantech Innovation Awards, a milestone in enhancing the country’s private sector readiness for a clean energy transition.
Mr Moleko emphasized this transition was not a choice, but a necessity for Lesotho.
“Our energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability depend upon our ability to embrace and deploy clean technologies. In this context, the GCIP Lesotho Cleantech Innovation Awards serve as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of our nation’s innovators,” Mr Moleko said.
“We acknowledge the transformative power of cleantech, and its capacity to drive economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and social equity.”
The Enhancing Lesotho’s Private Sector Readiness for a Clean Energy Transition Project, Mr Moleko said, aimed to strengthen the country’s private sector by enabling the development, commercialization, and scaling of innovative climate and clean energy technologies.
The project seeks to unlock economic growth opportunities and build the capacity of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to create sustainable, market-driven cleantech solutions, Mr Moleko added.
“This project stands as a testament to the power of international cooperation and the shared commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change,” Mr Moleko stated.
Minister Moleko again acknowledged the vital support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Green Climate Fund. This support had enabled the successful implementation of the flagship project to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The project also provided tailored assistance to cleantech entrepreneurs.
UNIDO’s GCIP had equipped local innovators with invaluable skills and networks, Mr Moleko noted. This had ensured that they had the necessary tools to transform their ideas into scalable, investment-ready ventures that can compete globally in the cleantech sector.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, I want to reaffirm the commitment of Lesotho, in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for meaningful private sector participation and sustainable development,” Mr Moleko said.
According to Mr Moleko, the extended National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II) aimed to spur private investment and entrepreneurship in the country’s productive sectors.
“The Energy Policy and the Electrification Master Plan emphasize the need to harness wind, solar, and water resources for power generation, unlocking immense opportunities for private sector participation,” Mr Moleko added.
“My ministry is also advancing the enactment of the Energy Policy, which will accelerate private sector participation and rural electrification. These efforts signal Lesotho’s strong commitment to achieving universal electricity access and a clean energy transition.”
Mr Moleko also explained that the diversity of cleantech innovations held significant economic potential and contributed to climate change mitigation. These innovations reduced carbon emissions, improved resource efficiency, and promoted sustainable development.
He said the Private Sector Engagement Strategy was a vital tool for connecting ecosystem actors and promoting cleantech-based solutions. The strategy, he said, proposed mechanisms to address market and policy shortcomings that impede the emergence, deployment, and adoption of cleantech solutions.
Meanwhile, the biggest winners of the day were Apex ICT Solutions and Security Architects who walked away with M20 000, followed by Bokamoso Eco-build Solutions who claimed M10 000 and Phutha Waste Management who took home M8 000.
