Basotho living in the diaspora have called on Lesotho and South Africa to strengthen cooperation in support of Lesotho’s economic development. This comes as businesspeople and other stakeholders gathered for the Lesotho Diaspora Investment and Trade Summit at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa.
The annual gathering aims to mobilise diaspora remittances, attract investment and channel resources into domestic trade and job creation.
The gathering provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the diaspora to gain exposure for their businesses and showcase their products. Participants, such as Katiba Africa Founder, Mats’eliso Morobela, have commended the Lesotho Diaspora Investment and Trade Forum for creating a platform to promote their products and build business partnerships.
“We are at this forum where we are also getting exposure, not just in South Africa but worldwide as well, so that our business can grow, we can make more impact, feed more families and pay more school fees for our African people.”
Lesotho’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ntsime Jafeta says the government wants to strengthen its engagement with the diaspora and harness its skills, expertise and resources to benefit the country’s economy.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to reaffirm that the government of Lesotho is cognisant of the fact that you, diaspora members, are the best assets of the country, sharing your skills, creativity, unlimited imagination, and we must use this to the benefit of our nation. Furthermore, the government pledges to continue facilitating your active involvement in every facet of the country’s economic development. May I say one thing? One of the principal objectives of this forum is to make it easier for prospective investors, inclusive of our diaspora, to conduct business in and with Lesotho.”
Principal Secretary for Lesotho’s Trade Ministry, Palesa Matobako, has echoed the call for greater diaspora participation, saying the forum provides an important platform to attract investment and promote economic opportunities.
“This forum provides an important platform to showcase the sotho’s investment and trade opportunities and to encourage our diaspora to channel their resources, expertise, skills and networks into productive ventures that drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen our country’s competitiveness. As government, we recognise the diaspora not merely as a pseudo-diplomacy beyond our borders, but as strategic partners in unlocking the country’s economic potential.”
The summit also highlighted the importance of skills development, knowledge transfer and mentorship, as well as access to professional networks and markets. The Lesotho government says it remains committed to working with the diaspora, the private sector and development partners to advance the country’s economic development.
-Report by Bonolo Maribe