…of pioneering mobile communications
Moroke Sekoboto
Vodacom Lesotho yesterday commemorated 30 years since commencing operations, at a time when mobile communication was virtually unknown in the country.
As the first operator, the company laid the foundations for a sector that has since become central to national development.
From a single portable base station in 1996, the network had grown into a national footprint of 422 base stations, including 101 solar-powered sites, delivering market-leading coverage to 1.21 million customers and an 85 percent market share, with network penetration of 97 percent for 2G, 98 percent for 3G and 96 percent for 4G/LTE.
The company employs more than 300 Basotho directly and supported thousands more through its wider ecosystem, including a national network of 14,000 M-Pesa agents.
This growth, according to Vodacom, has been matched by a strong localisation profile and a consistent record of meeting tax, dividend and regulatory obligations.
Operating in one of the world’s most challenging terrains, Vodacom Lesotho had extended connectivity to remote communities, enabling access to essential services and supporting digitisation across government, banking, retail, manufacturing and logistics.
Reflecting on the journey, Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralebitso, said connectivity had transformed daily life in Lesotho.
“I am inspired not only by how far we have come, but also by the connections we have built together. When Vodacom entered Lesotho in 1996, mobile communication was a distant dream; but today, connectivity shapes every aspect of daily life,” Mr Ralebitso said.
“A single signal beam bridges distances, transforming healthcare delivery, education access and agricultural practices. Innovation has fuelled our SMEs and large enterprises, while also streamlining government services, ensuring social grants reach vulnerable Basotho efficiently and with dignity.”
Mr Ralebitso reaffirmed Vodacom’s commitment to partnering with government to connect every Mosotho.
“This thirty-year partnership with the government and the nation has been our driving force. We are proud to continue this journey, committed to connecting every Mosotho to opportunity and a better future,” he said.
Beyond connectivity, the company had invested in education, health, public safety, youth entrepreneurship, gender-based violence response, disability inclusion, humanitarian support and community development to bring its purpose to life. As it marked 30 years of connecting Basotho, Vodacom Lesotho remains committed to building a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready digital Lesotho.
