…after eight-year halt
Ithabeleng Qhasho
THE Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development has reinstated and officially launched the 2026 National Quality Awards, marking a renewed government drive to strengthen quality standards, boost competitiveness and enhance the international profile of Basotho enterprises.
Speaking at a press briefing this week in Maseru, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile, said the National Quality Awards were first introduced in 2013 to promote excellence, innovation and continuous improvement within Lesotho’s business community.
However, he said the programme was suspended in 2017 due to financial constraints, a situation that was later compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In 2017, this good initiative was halted due to financial reasons. Just as we were trying to recover, Covid-19 hit and government had to redirect a significant amount of funds towards managing and addressing the Covid crisis,” Mr Shelile said.
He announced that the National Quality Awards ceremony is scheduled for 28 January 2026 and will be officiated by Prime Minister Sam Matekane. Awards will be presented in five categories: Product of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Service of the Year, Individual Contributor of the Year and Company of the Year.
According to the minister, the revival of the quality awards follows the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 2025 call on member states to reinforce regional quality infrastructure and align local industries with international standards.
He said reinstating the awards demonstrates government’s commitment to improving quality management systems, encouraging the adoption of internationally recognised standards and recognising enterprises that exhibit world-class performance in both the product and service sectors.
Meanwhile, the Director of Quality, Metrology and Technical Regulations in the Ministry of Trade, Molebatsi Rabolinyane, said that in preparation for the 2026 awards, MTIBD conducted nationwide technical workshops and sensitisation campaigns between March and November 2025.
He said the activities were carried out across all ten districts and were aimed at building enterprise capacity, raising awareness of quality standards and preparing businesses for meaningful participation in the awards process.
Mr Rabolinyane announced that applications are now open to all eligible enterprises — small, medium and large — operating in both the product and service sectors. He said application forms can be obtained from the Department of Quality, Metrology and Technical Regulations.
To promote broad participation, the ministry has extended the submission deadline to 12 January 2026.
He added that submissions will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges to ensure transparency, fairness and credibility. The ministry has also confirmed strong interest from development partners, with at least one key partner indicating its intention to sponsor the awards ceremony.
In a statement, the ministry described the National Quality Awards as an investment in Lesotho’s economic future, noting that the initiative is expected to strengthen consumer confidence in locally produced goods and services, stimulate innovation and support sustainable economic growth.
The ministry has urged all eligible enterprises to apply, emphasising that participation in the awards offers an opportunity to gain national recognition, improve operational standards and contribute to building a competitive and prosperous Lesotho.
