MASERU – Young Basotho students are gaining access to local and international education opportunities as Econet Telecom Lesotho’s investment in education surpasses M100 million, with more than 2,000 young Basotho scholars benefiting from its programmes since 2011.
The investment, implemented largely through HigherLife Foundation Lesotho, has supported learners from secondary school through university, while an increasing number of Basotho students are now securing opportunities to study abroad.
Econet Telecom Lesotho’s acting GM – Marketing Communications, Mrs. Puleng Mathabo Masoabi says the company sees its role as helping the youth to access opportunities that can transform their lives.
“At Econet Telecom Lesotho, we see ourselves not as a source, but as a bridge connecting young Basotho to opportunities that can unlock their potential and shape their future,” emphasizes Mrs Masoabi.
While international scholarships have become one of the more visible outcomes of the programme, the majority of beneficiaries continue to receive support within Lesotho.
As of the first quarter of 2026, Econet, through HigherLife Foundation Lesotho, is supporting over 140 secondary and high school learners and 105 students at local tertiary institutions.
More learners are pursuing A-Levels in Zimbabwe, Umhlaba Waterford College in Eswatini, while one is awaiting to leave for Japan.
Moreover, five scholars are currently transitioning to pursue their university studies in the United States of America, joining six who are already studying there while 19 have already graduated from the universities abroad.
Among the programmes driving Econet’s investment in education is the Moshoeshoe I Scholarship, launched in 2022 to identify and support high-performing Basotho learners. The scholarship goes beyond enabling students to pursue studies in STEM fields; it also seeks to nurture a new generation of skilled, confident leaders equipped to contribute meaningfully to Lesotho’s development.
Digital education has also become a growing part of the work of Econet and Higherlife Foundation Lesotho, with more than 13,000 learners currently active on the Akello digital learning platform.
The figures highlight an expansion beyond conventional scholarships towards digital learning, mentorship and leadership development.
In August 2025, Econet, through HigherLife Foundation Lesotho, provided M1.24 million to cover examination fees for 439 Grade 11 learners who were at risk of missing their examinations because their fees had not been paid.
The intervention followed an urgent call from the Ministry of Education and Training, with the money channeled directly to the Examinations Council of Lesotho.
Mrs. Mosoabi says Econet customers play a very important role in enabling the company to support communities through the services they use every day.
“Through every airtime recharge, every monthly subscription, and every EcoCash transaction, SEFS and ETL customers empower us to show up where it matters most,” she said.
Econet and HigherLife Foundation Lesotho have also extended their involvement beyond individual scholarships.
In 2024, the organisations, together with other like-minded private-sector partners, contributed towards efforts that unlocked a US$2.5 million Global Partnership for Education Multiplier Grant aimed at improving learning outcomes for Basotho children. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to bring private-sector resources and partnerships into addressing challenges facing the country’s education system.
For Mrs. Masoabi, however, the focus remains on what those investments make possible for individual young Basotho.
“We are grateful and incredibly honoured as Econet to stand side-by-side with the Ministry of Education and all partners to ensure that young Basotho have access to quality education,” she says.
