AGP Executive Report

Water & Accountability: Villagers in Mokhotlong have filed a formal complaint against the African Development Bank over alleged damage from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, citing contaminated water, disrupted farms, inadequate compensation and weak consultation, with support from Seinoli Legal Centre and Accountability Counsel. Agribusiness & Jobs: Government and dairy stakeholders met in Maseru to push a practical roadmap to revive Lesotho’s dairy sector, citing underused infrastructure, low milk output, limited breeding/vet services, weak market infrastructure and tight farmer finance. Energy & Power Planning: LHDA is seeking consultants for a floating solar feasibility study for Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to cut energy import dependence and guide phasing, sizing and tender documentation for future build. Local Infrastructure Pressure: Residents of Semphetenyane blocked a road with burning tyres, accusing officials of overstating road rehabilitation and demanding urgent repairs after damage left vehicles struggling. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC reappointed Stanley Ndara to chair the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre board in Maputo, with priorities including vessel registers and reducing illegal fishing. Youth Digital Skills: Sebabatso alumni in Maseru began an e-commerce and AI-powered marketing training, including support for local manufacturers to reach wider markets.

Dairy Revival Push: Government and dairy stakeholders in Maseru called for tighter collaboration to revive Lesotho’s dairy sector, citing underused infrastructure, low milk output and heavy import dependence, and urging a practical roadmap through partnerships and improved breeding, veterinary access, market infrastructure and farmer finance. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC renewed the board leadership of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo, keeping Stanley Ndara as chair for a second term as the region targets illegal fishing, strengthens capacity and rolls out a regional fishing vessel register. Aviation Standards for Trade: ICAO and regional aviation bodies held a workshop in Eswatini with Lesotho among participants to advance Aircraft and Pavement Classification Rating standards, stressing that modern, harmonised air infrastructure underpins connectivity and economic growth. Lesotho Energy Planning: LHDA seeks a consultancy for a floating solar feasibility study on Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to cut electricity import dependence and guide project phasing, sizing and tender documentation. Road Tensions in Semphetenyane: Residents protested poor road conditions by burning tyres and threatening a prolonged blockage, disputing claims that rehabilitation is complete and blaming delays on unresolved water-pipe issues. Nutrition Messaging Support: The Lesotho Red Cross Society, with UNICEF support, met district nutrition teams to strengthen community nutrition messages under the Ntlafatsa Bana programme using risk communication and community engagement. Kao Mine Shutdown: Storm Mountain Diamonds said it will cease operations at the Kao Mine by June 30 due to unsustainable fuel costs and weak global diamond prices, moving the site to care and maintenance and affecting hundreds of workers.

SADC Fisheries Oversight: Stanley Ndara has been reappointed chair of the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, with the board renewed to tackle illegal fishing, cut donor reliance, and roll out a regional fishing-vessel register. Lesotho Nutrition Delivery: The Lesotho Red Cross Society, with UNICEF, is strengthening nutrition messaging under the Ntlafatsa Bana Project by working with district nutrition teams on risk communication and community engagement in multiple districts. Roads and Accountability in Lesotho: Semphetenyane residents have protested by burning tyres over alleged poor road works, while the Public Works and Transport minister says follow-up action is coming after a site visit. Renewables for Lesotho’s Grid: LHDA is seeking consultants for a floating solar feasibility study on Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to reduce energy-import dependence and guide project phasing and tendering. Digital Skills for Basotho Entrepreneurs: Sebabatso alumni and beneficiaries launched a three-day e-commerce and AI-powered marketing training in Maseru, targeting online store setup and market expansion beyond Lesotho. Mining Cost Pressure: Storm Mountain Diamonds says it will place its Kao Mine on care and maintenance after June 30, citing fuel-cost surges and weak diamond prices. Trade and Industry Linkages: Lesotho’s Korea-Africa cooperation push highlights infrastructure, renewable energy, digital transformation, skills development, and agricultural value addition as priorities. Regional Migration Tensions: Mozambique accused South Africa of failing to protect its citizens after reports of Mozambicans killed in Mossel Bay xenophobic unrest, while South African police confirmed only two deaths linked to assaults.

Nutrition & Community Health: The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) met Leribe’s District Nutrition Team to strengthen nutrition messaging under UNICEF’s Ntlafatsa Bana Project, focusing on risk communication and community engagement where impact is still not visible. Roads & Local Accountability: In Semphetenyane, residents burned tyres and threatened to block the road over claims of continued poor conditions, challenging officials’ statements that rehabilitation is complete. Energy & Power Planning: The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) is seeking a consultancy for a floating solar feasibility study for Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to cut energy import dependence and support scalable generation. Trade & Industry Partnerships: Lesotho’s Public Works and Transport Minister reaffirmed cooperation with Korea and African partners on infrastructure, renewable energy, digital transformation, skills, and agricultural value addition. Skills for Digital Commerce: Sebabatso alumni in Maseru launched a three-day e-commerce and AI-powered marketing training using American Corner AI tools to help local firms reach wider markets, including textile and related products. Mining & Jobs: Storm Mountain Diamonds says it will cease operations at Kao Mine on 30 June due to fuel cost pressures and weak diamond prices, moving the site to care and maintenance. Finance Watch: Lesotho’s central bank raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% as global fuel-price shocks and shipping disruptions threaten inflation and reserves.

Energy & Power: Lesotho Highlands Development Authority seeks a consultancy for a floating solar feasibility study on Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to cut electricity import dependence (about 50% of consumption) and potentially scale beyond 100MW. Water Infrastructure: Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project moves forward with the launch of a second Tunnel Boring Machine at Polihali, reinforcing regional water security and engineering capacity. Mining: Storm Mountain Diamonds will shut Kao Mine on 30 June, citing fuel-cost pressure and weak diamond prices, with hundreds of jobs at risk. Agriculture & Trade: Lesotho welcomed China’s lifting of temporary wool import restrictions, easing delays at South African ports and restarting payments to farmers. Local Governance & Roads: Semphetenyane residents in Maseru blocked roads with burning tyres over alleged poor road works, challenging claims that rehabilitation is complete. Youth & Skills: Sebabatso Youth Training was launched in Maseru, using American Corner AI tools to help trainees translate services for new markets. Environment & Health: The Ombudsman warns 80% of Lesotho’s waste is unmanaged, with healthcare waste risks highlighted. Macroeconomy: Central Bank of Lesotho raised the Central Bank Rate to 6.75% as fuel-price shocks and global uncertainty threaten inflation and reserves.

Energy & Power Procurement: Lesotho Highlands Development Authority has launched a bid for a consultancy to study floating solar (floating PV) on the Katse and Mohale reservoirs, aiming to cut energy import dependence (nearly half of electricity consumption) and guide project size, phasing and tender documents for an EPC contract. Mining & Jobs: Storm Mountain Diamonds’ Kao Mine will shut down from 30 June, citing unsustainable fuel costs, a prolonged slump in rough diamond prices and pressure from lab-grown diamonds—leaving over 800 workers affected. Agriculture & Trade: Lesotho welcomed China’s lifting of temporary wool import restrictions, after Foot-and-Mouth Disease disruptions; held consignments are being released and payments to farmers have started. Youth & Skills: Sebabatso Youth Training was launched in Maseru, using American Corner AI tools to help trainees translate products and services for new markets and support job creation. Local Infrastructure Dispute: Semphetenyane residents blocked a road with burning tyres, accusing authorities of incomplete road works and demanding urgent rehabilitation. Waste Management Alarm: Lesotho’s Ombudsman warns that 80% of waste is unmanaged, with open dumping and burning driving health and environmental risks, including exposure to sharps and contaminated needles. Regional Fisheries Governance: SADC ministers reappointed Stanley Ndara to lead the regional fisheries monitoring control and surveillance centre in Maputo, pushing member states to pay outstanding contributions and phase out illegal nets.

Diamond Sector Shock: Storm Mountain Diamonds says Lesotho’s Kao Mine will go on care-and-maintenance from July 1 and fully cease operations on 30 June, blaming unsustainable fuel costs, a slump in rough diamond prices and competition from lab-grown stones—leaving hundreds of workers facing job losses. Energy Cost Pressure: A wider look at the region’s diesel squeeze links higher fuel prices to knock-on effects for transport, farming and everyday prices, with landlocked countries like Lesotho hit hardest by long logistics chains. Monetary Policy Response: Lesotho’s central bank raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% as Middle East-linked energy shocks push up inflation risks and strain external reserves. Trade Relief for Farmers: Government welcomed China’s lifting of temporary wool import restrictions, saying held consignments worth over M100 million are being released and payments to farmers have started. Waste Management Alarm: Lesotho’s Ombudsman warns that 80% of waste is unmanaged, with illegal dumping and open burning creating serious public health and environmental risks, especially around healthcare waste. Agriculture & Value Chains: Lesotho marked International Day of Potato with renewed focus on commercialising agriculture, mechanisation and agro-processing to strengthen livelihoods and food security. Digital Government Push: MICSTI says e-services are being rolled out across selected ministries, aiming to make services accessible and improve implementation of e-government.

IMF Debt Watch: New IMF figures (May 28, 2026) show several African countries owe relatively little to the lender, giving governments more room to fund services and development without heavy repayment pressure. Fuel Cost Pressure: Diesel price spikes across East and Southern Africa are feeding into transport, farming and production costs, pushing up food and everyday commodity prices. Lesotho Monetary Policy: The Central Bank of Lesotho raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 bps to 6.75% as global tensions and higher fuel prices threaten inflation and strain external reserves. Wool Export Relief: Lesotho welcomed China’s decision to lift temporary import restrictions on Lesotho wool, with held consignments released and payments to farmers starting. Waste Management Alarm: Lesotho’s Ombudsman says 80% of waste is unmanaged, with open dumping and burning creating serious health and environmental risks. Mining Job Shock: Kao Mine (Storm Mountain Diamonds) is shutting down from 30 June 2026, citing collapsing diamond prices and lab-grown competition, leaving over 800 workers facing unemployment. Agriculture & Food Security: Lesotho marked International Day of Potato, linking potato sector development to commercialisation, mechanisation and value-chain strengthening.

Central Banking Watch: Lesotho’s Central Bank raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% after Middle East conflict-driven fuel and shipping disruptions pushed up global energy costs and inflation risks. Wool Export Relief: Government welcomed China’s lifting of temporary wool import restrictions tied to Foot-and-Mouth Disease, saying released consignments and payments should ease pressure on Basotho farmers and traders. Waste Crisis: The Ombudsman says 80% of Lesotho’s waste is unmanaged, with illegal dumping and open burning threatening health and the environment, including dangerous healthcare waste risks. Mining Job Shock: Kao Mine/Storm Mountain Diamonds will cease operations on 30 June 2026, citing collapsing diamond prices and lab-grown competition, leaving over 800 workers facing unemployment. Agriculture & Jobs: Lesotho marked International Day of Potato, with officials linking potato sector development to commercialisation, mechanisation and agro-processing goals. Nutrition Push: Lesotho Red Cross launched a three-month nutrition messaging project targeting hard-to-reach communities and infant feeding practices. Digital Government: MICSTI says e-services rollout is progressing across ministries after validation work, aiming for more accessible citizen services.

Mining & Jobs: Storm Mountain Diamonds (Kao Mine) will cease operations on 30 June 2026, citing collapsing rough diamond prices and lab-grown competition, leaving over 800 workers facing unemployment in Mokhotlong. Monetary Policy: Lesotho’s Central Bank raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 bps to 6.75% as Middle East-linked energy shocks push up fuel costs and inflation risks. Waste & Public Health: The Ombudsman warns that 80% of Lesotho’s waste is unmanaged, with open dumping and burning near homes and schools, including dangerous healthcare waste and lack of protective gear. Agriculture & Trade: Government welcomed China lifting temporary wool import restrictions, releasing held consignments and restarting payments to farmers after Foot-and-Mouth disruptions. Food Systems: Lesotho marked International Day of Potato, with officials linking potato sector growth to commercialisation, value chains and climate-smart production. Nutrition Support: Lesotho Red Cross launched a 3-month nutrition messaging project to reach hard-to-reach communities with infant feeding guidance. E-Government: MICSTI says e-services rollout is progressing across ministries after validation, aiming for more accessible digital public services.

Agribusiness & Jobs: Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane says Lesotho’s potato push is aligned to national development plans, with commercialisation, private sector participation, climate-smart production, mechanisation and agro-processing backed by a potato value-chain analysis. Monetary Policy: Central Bank of Lesotho raised the Central Bank Rate by 25 bps to 6.75% as Middle East-linked energy shocks lift fuel prices, shipping costs and inflation risks. Trade & Farmers: Government welcomed China’s lifting of temporary wool import restrictions, easing FMD-related export disruptions and releasing wool consignments held at South African ports, with payments to farmers already starting. Public Health & Environment: The Ombudsman warns that 80% of Lesotho’s waste is unmanaged, with illegal dumping and open burning driving soil, water and air pollution and putting healthcare waste workers at risk from sharps and contaminated needles. Mining & Employment: Kao Mine (Storm Mountain Diamonds) is set to shut down on 30 June 2026 after collapsing diamond prices and lab-grown competition, leaving over 800 workers facing unemployment. Community Nutrition: Lesotho Red Cross launched a three-month nutrition messaging project to reach hard-to-access areas and strengthen infant feeding support through nutrition clubs. Local Governance & Markets: Lesotho’s Vulnerability Assessment Committee will run market research to map prices, competition, security and storage conditions for household commodities as drought continues to strain food security.

Cannabis export push under strain: South Africa’s cannabis master plan talks big on jobs and exports, but the burden is landing on individual operators while key support infrastructure—testing labs, customs clearance, compliant production systems, export documentation and logistics—lags, leaving a structural gap between licence promises and an export-ready value chain. Lesotho solid waste alarm: The Office of the Ombudsman says waste management in Lesotho is poorly handled, with open burning and dumping near homes and schools, weakly certified dump sites, and failures to act on recommendations—raising public health and human rights concerns. Market access planning for food security: Lesotho’s Vulnerability Assessment Committee is set to run market research after the May 24 VAA, focusing on prices, competition, security, services and storage—against a backdrop of drought-linked food insecurity. e-Services implementation: MICSTI says e-services rollout is progressing across selected ministries, with validation exercises and a commitment to keep digitising government services. Home Affairs consultations: South Africa’s Home Affairs is holding nationwide consultations on Zimbabwean and Lesotho Exemption Permits, after court challenges, to gather input before final decisions. Water cooperation in the region: South Africa and Botswana are expected to sign a pact to protect Upper Limpopo River Basin water quality and curb invasive aquatic species, strengthening transboundary monitoring for farming, mining and industry. Sports industry loss: Lesotho’s “Frisco” Khomari, a long-time sports administrator and broadcaster, died in a car accident, prompting tributes from the sports fraternity. Nutrition project extension: Lesotho Red Cross launches a three-month nutrition messaging and risk communications project in Mafeteng, working with nutrition clubs and partners to reach hard-to-reach communities. Housing pressure on farmland: A political call urges Lesotho to stop rapid housing settlements on agricultural land and push for binding land-use plans to protect food security.

Solid Waste Watch: Lesotho’s Ombudsman warns that poor solid waste management is harming public health and human rights, citing open burning, dumping in undesignated areas, and unsafe sites near homes and schools, including the Ts’osane dump. E-Services Push: MICSTI says e-services rollout is moving ahead across ministries like Public Works, Agriculture, Finance and Development Planning, after a validation exercise, with ICT funding of M386.4m earmarked for digital transformation. Market Access Planning: After the Annual Vulnerability Assessment, Lesotho’s Vulnerability Assessment Committee will run market research around May 30 to map prices, competition, security, services and infrastructure affecting household commodity access. Nutrition Outreach: Lesotho Red Cross launches a three-month nutrition messaging project to strengthen infant feeding practices in hard-to-reach areas, working with nutrition clubs and UNICEF partners. Sports & Community: Lesotho’s “Frisco” Khomari dies in a car accident, remembered for decades of sports administration and support for national football. Regional Water Security: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign a pact to protect water quality and curb invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo Basin, with implications for farming, mining and domestic supply. World Cup Spotlight (SA): Hugo Broos names South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, as the country heads to its first tournament in 16 years.

Solid Waste Alarm: Lesotho’s Ombudsman says poor solid waste management is harming public health and the environment, with garbage dumped in undesignated areas, open burning, and some dump sites near homes and schools—especially the Ts’osane site where earlier relocation recommendations were not implemented. Market Research for Food Access: After the May 24 Annual Vulnerability Assessment, the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee will run market research from May 30 to map prices, competition, security, and storage conditions—amid drought-linked food insecurity. Nutrition Push: The Lesotho Red Cross Society launched a three-month nutrition messaging project, working with nutrition clubs and targeting hard-to-reach areas to improve infant feeding practices. e-Services Drive: MICSTI says e-services validation is moving ahead, with digitised services planned across ministries including Public Works, Agriculture, Finance and Development Planning, and Public Service. Housing vs Farming: A Basotho Action Party leader urged a moratorium on housing settlements expanding onto agricultural land, warning it threatens food security and calling for legally binding land-use plans. Regional Integration Lens: Lesotho’s foreign affairs minister called for stronger SADC economic independence to withstand global shocks hitting landlocked economies like Lesotho.

World Cup Logistics: South Africa named Hugo Broos’ 26-man Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 World Cup, with matches against Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea shaping regional football attention and travel demand. Carbon Markets & Regional Policy: A Southern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets & Climate Finance was launched to help Botswana, Lesotho and other members capture more value from global carbon trading under Paris Agreement Article 6, raising the question of whether benefits stay local. Nutrition & Community Health: Lesotho Red Cross rolled out a three-month nutrition messaging project in Mafeteng, working with nutrition clubs and UNICEF-linked partners to reach hard-to-reach areas with infant feeding messages. Digital Government Services: Lesotho’s e-services push is moving forward across ministries including Public Works, Agriculture and Finance, with a stated ICT allocation of M386.4m aimed at expanding access to online services. Immigration & Permits: South Africa’s Home Affairs continued nationwide public consultations on Zimbabwean and Lesotho Exemption Permits, gathering input from permit holders, business and agriculture stakeholders. Agriculture Land Pressure: Basotho Action Party urged a moratorium on housing settlements expanding onto agricultural land, warning food security risks as arable peri-urban land is increasingly taken for homes. Bee Economy: Environment and Forestry Minister Thabo Mofosi promoted self-reliant beekeeping after International Bee Day, highlighting easier market access for bee products and the need for testing and certification. Social Sector Payments: A parliamentary committee ordered urgent action to clear unpaid wages, contractor debts and village health worker salaries, with deadlines for ministries to report back.

MTN Bushfire Festival gears up: The MTN Bushfire Festival grounds at House On Fire are coming alive fast, with crews building the arena from camping to the main stage, rolling out services like police and emergency teams, and installing phone charging stations for thousands of visitors ahead of Thursday’s opening. Home Affairs consultations: South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is running nationwide public consultations on the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP), aiming to meet a court directive for fair, transparent decisions after workshops with permit holders, communities, business and agriculture stakeholders. Lesotho e-services push: Lesotho’s e-Government drive is moving from validation to deployment, with ministries like Public Works, Agriculture, Finance and Development Planning and Public Service preparing digitised services. Regional business signals: Zeda (Avis) reports stronger first-half earnings on leasing growth and rising car sales, while Pick n Pay targets new store openings as it continues its turnaround. Trade and tech backdrop: Starlink licensing questions continue in Uganda, and Mozambique opens a draft national AI strategy for public comment.