Ministry Unveils National Digital Roadmap for Creative and Cultural Industries

The Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture has developed a national digital environment roadmap aimed at using technology to drive growth and innovation in Lesotho’s cultural and creative industry. The roadmap marks a strategic step toward strengthening the creative economy and positioning local talent for regional and global markets.

The initiative will begin with a stakeholder engagement workshop scheduled for early next month. The workshop will bring together artists, cultural practitioners, youth, policymakers, and development partners to shape priorities and align efforts for effective implementation.

In a statement, the ministry said the roadmap seeks to strengthen the local creative economy, empower young people, and safeguard Lesotho’s cultural heritage. The creative sector in Lesotho holds rich traditions and talent but continues to face challenges such as limited policy support, fragmented coordination, and insufficient digital infrastructure.

The ministry noted that the roadmap was developed to address these gaps by improving digital strategies, coordination, and access to technology. The goal is to create an enabling environment that supports creative entrepreneurship, expands access to markets, and opens new income opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners.

Implementation of the roadmap aligns with the principles of the 2025 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This alignment reinforces Lesotho’s commitment to protecting cultural diversity while promoting sustainable economic development through creativity.

“This roadmap will be more than a policy framework. It will be a comprehensive tool for building an environment that unlocks jobs, opportunities, and empowerment. By enhancing digital strategies and creating an enabling environment, Lesotho will expand creative entrepreneurship, improve access to markets, and ensure that our cultural identity thrives globally,” the ministry stated.

The ministry called on artists, youth, cultural practitioners, policymakers, and development partners to actively participate in the process. It emphasized that collaboration is key to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable creative economy that reflects the spirit and talent of Basotho.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, collaboration, and accountability, noting that community voices will remain central throughout the roadmap’s rollout. The national digital environment roadmap is expected to play a critical role in transforming Lesotho’s cultural and creative industries into a driver of innovation, employment, and national identity.