Lesotho–South Africa Business Council Launched to Strengthen Private Sector Cooperation

On December 2, 2025, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Honourable Mokhethi Shelile, commended the leadership of the Right Honourable Prime Minister for advancing private sector–driven economic growth. He emphasized that the launch of the Lesotho–South Africa Business Council represents a major step in formalizing business collaboration between the two countries.

The Minister noted that although Lesotho and South Africa share deep cultural and economic connections, business cooperation has historically been informal and inconsistent. The new Council establishes a structured platform for companies, investors, and policymakers to engage more effectively and pursue shared opportunities.

Honourable Shelile outlined the government’s key priorities to support this collaboration. These include ongoing ease-of-doing-business reforms, digital services for investors, improved border processes, and efforts to ensure a predictable and transparent policy environment. Both countries are working toward harmonized standards, smoother movement of goods and skilled labour, and enhanced support for local enterprises in major economic sectors.

The Minister stressed that the Council is a practical tool rather than a symbolic initiative. It is designed to foster partnerships, address bottlenecks in trade and investment, and expand market opportunities for businesses on both sides of the border.

With this launch, Lesotho and South Africa aim to create a more formal, efficient, and mutually beneficial private sector relationship, strengthening regional trade and economic growth.