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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 News


Polihali dam reaches 50% completion as impoundment comes into view
24th July 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Construction of the Polihali dam is now 50% complete and is on track for the start of impoundment in the 2027/28 rainy season. The concrete-faced rockfill dam forms part of Phase II of the Lesotho... 


Maptek showcases real-time slope monitoring technology at Slope Stability X26
Maptek showcases real-time slope monitoring technology at Slope Stability X26
8th July 2026

In open-pit mining, the difference between a managed risk and a catastrophic failure often comes down to one variable: time. How early can a geotechnical team detect that a slope is moving? How... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to Spotlight Africa's Industrial Future as Leaders Unite to Accelerate Growth, Investment and Job Creation
Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to Spotlight Africa's Industrial Future as Leaders Unite to Accelerate Growth, Investment and Job Creation
29th June 2026

Africa's manufacturing sector stands at a defining moment. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening unprecedented opportunities for regional trade and industrialisation,... 


Africa’s infrastructure challenge is no longer planning, but execution, says Mahlobo
26th June 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Africa has no shortage of infrastructure plans or vision, but turning those ambitions into infrastructure delivery requires execution, warns Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo.... 


CREAMER MEDIA: PROJECTS IN PROGRESS 2026
Projects in Progress 2026
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

South Africa’s economy continues to face challenges, including slow growth, high unemployment and pressure on important services such as electricity, transport and water. New infrastructure... 


De Beers CEO Al Cook
De Beers CEO sees sale of diamond firm in 'weeks not months'
17th June 2026 By: Reuters

A sale of De Beers, Anglo American's diamond unit, has never been closer, its CEO said on Tuesday, adding that a deal could come within weeks. Anglo put De Beers - one of the world's leading... 


Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan Green Hydrogen Programme Management Office director Dr Rebecca Maserumule.
South African green hydrogen first-movers given major boost
5th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Enticing support for first movers into green hydrogen project development is on offer via a first-of-a-kind government-led framework designed to assess the readiness and bankability of green... 


An image of the LHWP tunnel before Nanoflake tech application
Nanoflake tech improves corrosion resistance, prolongs asset life
5th June 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Corrosion control coating solutions provider Corrocoat South Africa aims to use Nanoflake – a glassflake reinforced coating innovation used to ensure efficient corrosion protection of capital... 


Department lays the groundwork for South Africa’s future water security
29th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) continues to advance national bulk water and national resource projects across South Africa. During her Budget Vote speech this month, Water and... 


Xylem Announces New Applied Water Distribution Structure for Southern Africa Region
25th May 2026

What: (Virtual Showroom) Xylem, a global leader in water technology, announces a strategic update to its operating model in Southern Africa. Effective June 1, 2026, AQS Liquid Transfer PTY Ltd,... 


A generic image of a diamond
Gem Diamonds reports lower sales volumes, but higher prices for the first quarter
20th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Diamond miner Gem Diamonds recorded revenue of $32.1-million for the quarter ended March 31, supported by the sale of large, high-value diamonds recovered at its Letšeng mine, in Lesotho. During... 


BOTH ENDS: Full-scale tunnelling is now well underway at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II after the official launch of a second tunnel boring machine (TBM). The Polihali TBM, which technically started work in January, joins the Katse TBM, which was launched in February 2025, to drill – from both ends – through the 38.5 km-long tunnel connecting Polihali and Katse dams, in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho. The second TBM was officially unveiled on April 20.
BOTH ENDS
8th May 2026

Full-scale tunnelling is now well underway at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II after the official launch of a second tunnel boring machine (TBM). The Polihali TBM, which technically... 


Longest Lesotho bridge opens to secure LHWP Phase II access routes
8th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

In a landmark milestone, the Senqu bridge, the longest in Lesotho and a critical component of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II, has officially been inaugurated. The inauguration... 


Could Agoa extension be a win-win for all parties on critical minerals front?
Could Agoa extension be a win-win for all parties on critical minerals front?
24th April 2026 By: Tracy Klückow

The new “deal-making” approach in Washington has some suggesting that  the extended African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is likely to be used as leverage to secure the supply of unbeneficiated... 


Image of a map of Africa, a doctor and company logos
Extending satellite connectivity across Africa
16th April 2026

Pan-African telecommunications and network services provider Paratus Group has launched a solution aimed at delivering satellite connectivity to organisations based in remote communities in regions... 


Babcock appointed Preferred Partner for Lincoln Electric across Sub-Saharan Africa
Babcock appointed Preferred Partner for Lincoln Electric across Sub-Saharan Africa
8th April 2026

Babcock has been named the Preferred Partner for Lincoln Electric across Sub-Saharan Africa, a landmark appointment that signals a significant shift in how world-class welding technology will be... 


Establishing Africa’s regional electricity corridors – a story of great potential and promise
Establishing Africa’s regional electricity corridors – a story of great potential and promise
25th March 2026

By: Taru Madangombe - Vice President for Power and Grid Segment, MEA at Schneider Electric The EU’s electricity network spans over  11 million kilometres, making it one of the most extensive and... 


A white diamond from Letšeng mine
Gem Diamonds posts $104m attributable loss amid rough diamond market downturn
18th March 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Like most diamond miners, London-listed Gem Diamonds has been experiencing marked weakness in the diamond market, which led to the company reporting a loss of $9.1-million before exceptional items... 


Illegal mining remains a nationally coordinated organised crime threat, SAPS tells parliamentary committee
Illegal mining remains a nationally coordinated organised crime threat, SAPS tells parliamentary committee
24th February 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Amid a resurgence of illegal mining across South Africa, interventions and coordinated measures are being implemented to curb ongoing incidents across the country. This was discussed during an... 


Tshiamiso Trust CEO Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda
Tshiamiso Trust has paid out R2.5bn in silicosis, TB compensation
10th February 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Independently managed trust the Tshiamiso Trust has disbursed R2.5-billion to eligible claimants in compensation as agreed in the historic silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) settlement agreement. The... 


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pqt: 0.103s - ct: 0.153s - 275pq - 2rq
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