22 Apr Interview with His Majesty King Letsie III, Lesotho
Last year, Lesotho celebrated its 200 year anniversary. What milestones would you highlight in the journey from independence to current times?
In 2026, we will celebrate 60 years of independence, during which we have achieved significant and impactful milestones. Despite facing challenging political and economic periods since our independence, our greatest accomplishment has been our ability to remain a peaceful and unified nation.
Today, we can confidently assert that we are a stable parliamentary democracy that is forward-looking and committed to upholding the rule of law and human rights. The establishment of a healthy democracy marks a significant milestone for us.
Economically, we have made substantial progress through various interventions and projects initiated by previous governments and the current government. One notable example is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a collaborative effort between Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. This initiative allows us to supply a vital resource — water — to South Africa, particularly to its industrial hub of Gauteng. In return, we receive revenue that is reinvested into our economy to strengthen our fiscal position while contributing to our economic and social development.
While we have achieved milestones of which we can be proud, there is still much work ahead of us.
How do you see the role of the Monarchy in your country?
The monarchy in Lesotho is a historic institution with deep roots in our nation’s identity. Last year, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of our nation, which also marks the origins of the monarchy.
From its inception to the present day, the monarchy has served as a rallying point for the Basotho people, fostering unity, oneness and a sense of nationhood. I take this role very seriously and strive to fulfill it to the best of my abilities.
Lesotho has high potential in natural resource-based industries, agriculture, innovation and tourism. What is needed to unleash this full potential of your country?
To unlock our country’s potential, the responsibility rests on our shoulders as both citizens and leaders. We must work diligently, remain focused and uphold discipline to create an enabling environment for growth. This involves establishing a robust legal framework that supports development and investment, implementing a consistent and predictable fiscal policy and introducing additional measures to foster an attractive climate for economic expansion.
Foreign direct investment plays a crucial role in this endeavor. To achieve our goals, we need both capital and expertise. We aim to stimulate private sector investment to grow our indigenous business sector. However, this can only be accomplished through partnerships with external investors who bring in the necessary capital, expertise and knowledge. Access to foreign investment is vital for strengthening our economy and ensuring sustainable growth that benefits both the country and its people.
Lesotho’s rivers flowing from its highlands offer an immense source of renewable energy. How will this translate into the well-being of the Basotho people?
Harnessing our natural resources to produce and generate energy will help the Basotho people and the country as a whole become more self-sufficient in energy. We have the potential and we are well on our way to achieving the goal of meeting our entire domestic energy demand through renewable sources.
By producing our own energy, we stand to benefit greatly — not only by fueling industrial and economic development but also by improving energy security and creating jobs. Lesotho is in a strong position to make this happen.
Looking ahead, our goal is not only to generate enough renewable energy to meet our domestic needs but also to produce a surplus for export to our neighbor South Africa and to other countries in the region.
The US new administration seems to be changing the traditional US foreign policies. What relationship would you like to have with the United States, in the short, mid and long term?
Since gaining independence, Lesotho has enjoyed warm and friendly relations with the United States and the American people. As a nation, we are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received over the years through successive US governments. One shining example is the US Peace Corps program, which has been active in Lesotho since 1967. This is something we hold in high regard. Over 2,000 American Peace Corps volunteers have contributed meaningfully to our education and health sectors, often working in remote rural communities. Their efforts have fostered a strong and lasting bond between the United States, its people and the Basotho nation.
Looking ahead, we are hopeful that these strong relations will not only continue but be further strengthened. It is our goal to maintain a positive and cooperative relationship with the United States, regardless of which administration is in power, because we have seen the tremendous benefits such a partnership can bring. We are aware that the current US administration is considering reducing foreign aid, particularly to developing countries. While we understand this is ultimately a sovereign decision, we hope that such considerations will take into account the unique needs of small nations like Lesotho. Cuts to foreign assistance could have serious consequences for our economic development and the well-being of our people.
Programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have been instrumental in our fight against HIV/AIDS. They have provided life-saving treatment and care, enabling many HIV-positive individuals to live healthy and productive lives. We sincerely hope that PEPFAR and similar programs will be shielded from significant budget reductions.
Although the decision lies with the US government, our earnest plea is that these vital programs be preserved. They are not only investments in health and human dignity but also in the future of our people. We hope that our message will be heard and that these life-saving partnerships will continue.
The country has a tremendous tourism potential. If you were discussing Lesorho with a traveler, what would you emphasize?
Our greatest attraction is undoubtedly our mountains — two-thirds of Lesotho is mountainous terrain. These landscapes are not only breathtakingly beautiful and picturesque, but they also offer visitors a unique sense of peace and adventure. For visitors, the main attraction is our beautiful countryside and majestic mountains — a truly unique offering in this part of the world.
I strongly encourage anyone visiting Lesotho not to limit their stay to Maseru, the capital. To truly experience the heart and soul of our country, one must venture into the mountains. That is where the real Lesotho lives.
What is your closing message to US Citizens, business people and investors about the potential of Lesotho.
For investors and businesspeople, we extend a warm welcome and are actively seeking American investment across all sectors of our economy. We want to assure US investors that their investments will be safe and protected by a strong, transparent legal framework, supported by a stable and predictable fiscal environment.
In addition, we are launching a major initiative to harness our renewable energy resources. We are particularly interested in partnering with American investors to drive this effort, as it will be led by the private sector. We invite investment in wind, hydro and other renewable energy projects to help us and the broader region achieve greater energy security.
Our focus is firmly on clean energy, the kind the world is steadily moving toward. With the support of American investors and business leaders, we can successfully advance our just energy transition and build a sustainable future together.