Lesotho
Lesotho is a landlocked country in southern Africa, entirely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three enclaved sovereign states in the world. The capital and largest city is Maseru, situated on the Caledon River along the western border. With a population of approximately 2.3 million, Lesotho is known as the Kingdom in the Sky owing to its high elevation, with the lowest point in the country at 1 400 metres above sea level. The economy is heavily dependent on water exports, textile manufacturing, subsistence agriculture and remittances from migrant workers in South Africa. Lesotho's most significant economic asset is its abundant water resources, which are harnessed through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a large-scale infrastructure scheme that supplies water to South Africa's Gauteng province and generates hydroelectric power and royalty revenue for Lesotho. The country is a constitutional monarchy, with King Letsie III as head of state and a prime minister leading the government. Lesotho uses the loti as its currency, which is pegged at par to the South African rand, and both currencies circulate freely within the country. The nation is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the Southern African Customs Union and the Common Monetary Area. Lesotho faces significant development challenges, including high rates of poverty, unemployment and HIV prevalence, alongside vulnerability to climate change and water security issues. The country gained independence from Britain in 1966, having previously been the British protectorate of Basutoland.
Lesotho Updates
South Africa, Zimbabwe in talks over $500m dam project
By: Bloomberg 28th September 2026 South Africa and Zimbabwe are discussing a $500-million dam project to supply water to an industrial hub near their border, according to documents... →
Cybercrime across borders: navigating Africa’s fragmented legislative landscape
21st September 2026 By the time you reach the end of this sentence, a cyberattack will have been launched somewhere on the African continent. That is not an... →
Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks 
By: Bloomberg 21st September 2026 African central banks from South Africa to Egypt are poised to keep their interest rates high for longer, seeking to shield their economies from... →
Cybercrime across borders: Navigating Africa’s fragmented legislative landscape – Part 1
18th September 2026 By the time you reach the end of this sentence, a cyberattack will have been launched somewhere on the African continent. That is not an... →
Daily Podcast – September 11, 2026
11th September 2026 Making headlines: Parties lodge ethics complaint against Majodina over vulgar tirade against Kouga resident; Two newly completed bridges, as part... →
Two newly completed bridges, as part of LHWP II, set to open
By: Natasha Odendaal 11th September 2026 As the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II progresses, the newly completed Mabunyaneng and Khubelu bridges in the... →
Minister Pemmy Majodina and her Lesotho counterpart to officially open two newly completed bridges this week as part quarterly oversight to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2
11th September 2026 The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Pemmy Majodina is in Lesotho on 11-13 September 2026 on a working visit to conduct her quarterly oversight... →
South Africa takes over regional economic bloc as trade falters
By: Bloomberg 17th August 2026 South Africa is taking over leadership of the Southern African Development Community with a push to deepen regional commerce, as the bloc’s own... →
South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 illegal miners, police say
By: Reuters 11th August 2026 At least 14 suspected illegal miners were killed and eight injured when a mine dump collapsed in South Africa's North West province on Monday... →
South African clothing factories struggle after migrant workers flee
By: Reuters 6th August 2026 Weeks after xenophobic protests drove thousands of migrant workers from South Africa, rows of sewing machines stood idle at a clothing factory in... →
