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
Secretive deals, aggressive demands are new US foreign aid tactics
By: Bloomberg 22nd May 2026 On a Friday last November, government officials representing Lesotho, a mountainous enclave in eastern South Africa, sat down in the capital Maseru... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa President, at the Botswana-South Africa Business Forum, Gaborone (21/05/2026)
22nd May 2026 Over the last few days, our Ministers and Officials have discussed measures to strengthen our political, social, economic and security relations. →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, opening remarks at the Sixth Session of Bi-National Commission State Visit to Botswana, Gaborone (21/05/2026)
22nd May 2026 The warm welcome that has been extended to us are testament to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that underpin our strategic... →
100-million African children are not in school. What’s driving the trend and how to reverse it
14th May 2026 Many countries across Africa have embraced universal basic education policies in recent decades. But recent data has revealed that more than... →
Daily Podcast – May 13, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 13th May 2026 Making headlines: ActionSA files perjury, fraud charges against Ramaphosa; Treasury report shows continued decline in municipal governance; And,... →
Ghana to evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa after xenophobic attacks
By: Reuters 13th May 2026 Ghana will evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting migrants from other sub-Saharan African... →
ANC marks 30 years of Constitution, says xenophobia must be opposed
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th May 2026 As South Africa commemorates 30 years since the adoption of its democratic Constitution, the African National Congress called on citizens to... →
Daily Podcast – May 07, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 7th May 2026 Making headlines: DA demands national intervention in Joburg and Ekurhuleni; Parly committee flags SIU’s ‘inadequate’ funding model; And, African... →
African countries warn citizens of xenophobic attacks in South Africa 
By: Reuters 7th May 2026 African countries including Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have warned migrants in South Africa to be cautious and remain indoors due to... →
African champions chart the way on the Global Compact for Migration
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 5th May 2026 Seventeen African nations are pioneering global migration management, but will others follow their lead? Over 80% of people migrating in Africa... →
