NUL Innovation Hub Launches Seven Factories in South Africa to Boost Lesotho-Made Products
In a bold step toward expanding market access and ensuring long-term sustainability for Lesotho-made products, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Innovation Hub officially launched seven factories last Friday in Welkom, the industrial hub of South Africa’s Free State Province. This cross-border initiative signals a powerful new chapter for Basotho entrepreneurship, regional cooperation, and African-led innovation.
The launch event, which attracted business leaders, innovators, and government representatives, was more than just a ribbon-cutting—it was a vibrant celebration of African creativity, self-reliance, and the power of collaboration. The factories, which were developed under a unified brand known as Venture-Bridge, have already begun producing a range of high-quality products while creating dozens of sustainable jobs for both Lesotho and South African citizens.
The project has been made possible through M12 million in funding from Johannesburg-based venture capital firm Admond Capital, which shares a vision of empowering local industries and accelerating Africa’s industrial transformation. The investment reflects growing confidence in the capabilities of Lesotho’s innovators and the long-term potential of regional manufacturing partnerships.
Operating under the inspiring motto “Tsoha, u Iketsetse”—a Sesotho phrase meaning “Wake up and do it for yourself”—the Venture-Bridge initiative draws on the visionary legacy of Basotho cultural icons Tšepo Tšola and Sankomota, whose work championed pride, progress, and Pan-Africanism. This guiding philosophy is now at the heart of the NUL Innovation Hub’s strategy to equip the next generation of African entrepreneurs with the tools and platforms they need to compete globally.
The newly opened factories will focus on manufacturing a diverse portfolio of locally developed products, including cosmetics, food items, herbal remedies, and eco-friendly goods. Each factory was designed with innovation, sustainability, and community impact in mind, further supporting the broader goal of inclusive economic development.
Speaking at the launch, representatives from Admond Capital and the NUL Innovation Hub emphasized the long-term vision of building an integrated regional economy where African products are not only consumed locally but also exported to international markets.
“This is not just about Lesotho or South Africa. This is about Africa standing up, building its own future, and creating value chains that are owned by Africans,” said one of the lead coordinators from the NUL Innovation Hub.
The Welkom launch is the latest milestone in a growing network of NUL Innovation Hub projects designed to commercialize research, support student-led enterprises, and bridge the gap between academia and industry. With the success of the Venture-Bridge factories, Lesotho has taken a crucial step toward transforming its innovation potential into real economic power.
As the factories begin full-scale operations, the focus now turns to scaling production, expanding export potential, and inspiring other African institutions to replicate the model. The initiative is already being hailed as a transformative blueprint for regional industrial growth driven by homegrown talent.
