National University of Lesotho Elevates Innovation with Intellectual Property Strategy

On January 28, 2026, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Innovation Hub announced a major step forward in turning ideas into tangible assets. Mr. Teboho Khalala, NUL Innovation Hub Administrator, highlighted how the university is helping students and researchers move beyond concept development to legally protecting their innovations through Intellectual Property (IP).

In the past, brilliant student and faculty inventions often remained unused because navigating the IP process was challenging. Some ideas were abandoned, while others were borrowed without recognition. The Innovation Hub now provides in-house expertise to guide innovators in securing their IP, ensuring ideas are officially owned and legally protected.

“Having a competitive IP strategy enables the university to build a library of protected inventions. These are not just certificates on a wall, they are assets with real financial value,” Mr. Khalala explained. The move allows NUL to create alternative revenue streams beyond government grants or tuition. By licensing IP assets to companies, the university generates income that flows directly back into research and development.

Khalala also highlighted the potential of spin-offs, where the university owns part of a successful start-up. This approach supports campus-born companies and ensures long-term financial stability. Beyond financial gains, the initiative bridges the gap between laboratory experiments and commercial products, tackling local challenges in areas such as food security and renewable energy.

The Innovation Hub also positions Lesotho on the global innovation map. “We are not just consumers of global solutions, we are becoming creators who know how to protect our work internationally,” Khalala said. Protecting IP makes start-ups more attractive to investors, who prefer ventures with legally secured “secret sauce,” and facilitates partnerships with major industry players by clarifying ownership rights.

Internationally, NUL has strengthened its presence through strategic engagements, including with the European Patent Office (EPO) in the Gambia. The university joined the PATLIB Knowledge Transfer to Africa (KTA2) Initiative, connecting it to world-class expertise from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This partnership provides students and staff with free, unlimited access to the EPO e-learning platform, enhancing their knowledge and competitiveness in global markets.

Through these efforts, NUL is transforming from a traditional university into an entrepreneurial powerhouse. The Innovation Hub ensures that student and staff innovations are legally protected, financially viable, and globally recognized, driving Lesotho’s position as a creator of local and international solutions.