On Wednesday, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Honourable Matjato Moteane, tabled two significant pieces of legislation in the Senate: the Toll-Gate (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 and the Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The legislative session, presided over by Senate Vice President Mr. Au Tsukutlane, marked a crucial step in updating regulatory frameworks to support national infrastructure development and economic growth.
In his dual capacity as Minister and Leader of the House, Mr. Moteane presented the regulations on behalf of two key ministries: the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture. This inter-ministerial collaboration reflects the government’s integrated approach to policy-making, ensuring that regulatory reforms align with both fiscal priorities and the evolving needs of tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Toll-Gate (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 aim to revise the existing toll system to enhance revenue generation for road maintenance and development. With Lesotho’s road infrastructure playing a vital role in trade, mobility, and tourism, the amendment is expected to improve efficiency in toll collection and ensure that infrastructure investments are sustainable and fairly financed.
Meanwhile, the Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 are designed to modernise the licensing regime for the sale and distribution of alcohol, with a particular focus on promoting responsible consumption and supporting growth in the hospitality industry. The amendment also seeks to strengthen compliance mechanisms and harmonise regulations with regional standards to boost Lesotho’s competitiveness in the tourism sector.
Following their tabling, both sets of regulations were referred to the relevant Senate committees for further analysis and stakeholder engagement. The committees will review the proposed amendments in detail, consult with affected sectors, and provide recommendations before the legislation proceeds to the next stage of parliamentary consideration.
These legislative developments underscore the government’s commitment to improving service delivery and creating a conducive environment for investment. As Lesotho seeks to accelerate its economic recovery and infrastructure development, the regulations tabled by Minister Moteane are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policy direction in 2025 and beyond.
