Lesotho Advances Digital Inclusion Through Women and Youth Forums Driving Digital Transformation

Lesotho is strengthening its digital transformation agenda by placing inclusion at the center of national conversations on technology and innovation. Today’s programme reflects this approach through two parallel platforms, the Women’s Forum and the Youth Forum, both designed to ensure wider participation in the country’s evolving digital economy. These forums bring together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to discuss practical solutions for inclusive growth. The focus is on ensuring that no group is left behind as digital technologies continue to reshape how people live, work, and communicate. This dual engagement highlights the importance of gender equality and youth empowerment in building a sustainable digital future.

The Women’s Forum plays a critical role in addressing barriers that limit women’s participation in the digital space. Discussions are centred on improving access to digital technologies, expanding digital literacy, and creating opportunities for women to thrive in technology-driven environments. Many women still face challenges such as limited access to devices, affordability constraints, and gaps in technical skills. The forum seeks to address these issues by promoting targeted training programmes and policy recommendations that support women’s inclusion. It also highlights the importance of creating safe and supportive digital environments where women can fully participate without discrimination or exclusion. By focusing on practical solutions, the forum aims to bridge long-standing gaps in digital access and opportunity.

Another key focus of the Women’s Forum is strengthening digital skills development to improve employability and entrepreneurship opportunities for women. Participants are exploring ways to expand training in areas such as coding, digital marketing, online business management, and data literacy. These skills are essential in a rapidly changing economy where digital competence is increasingly required across all sectors. The forum also encourages partnerships between government, educational institutions, and the private sector to deliver accessible training programmes. By equipping women with relevant skills, Lesotho aims to increase their participation in the digital workforce and support their economic independence. This approach ensures that women are not only users of technology but also active contributors to digital innovation.

At the same time, the Youth Forum is creating an important platform for young people to engage directly in shaping Lesotho’s digital future. The discussions focus on digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development, all of which are essential for preparing youth for the modern economy. Young people are encouraged to share ideas, propose solutions, and participate in shaping policies that affect their future. This engagement helps build a sense of ownership and responsibility among youth, ensuring that they are active participants rather than passive recipients of digital transformation. The forum recognises that young people are often the most adaptable to new technologies and can drive innovation across multiple sectors.

Entrepreneurship is a central theme within the Youth Forum, with emphasis placed on creating opportunities for young innovators to build sustainable digital businesses. Participants are exploring how access to funding, mentorship, and digital tools can be improved to support youth-led enterprises. Many young entrepreneurs face barriers such as limited access to capital and insufficient business training, which can hinder their growth potential. The forum aims to address these challenges by promoting supportive ecosystems that encourage innovation and reduce entry barriers. By fostering entrepreneurship, Lesotho hopes to reduce youth unemployment and stimulate economic growth through digital industries.

Skills development also remains a key priority in the Youth Forum discussions, particularly in areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and digital communications. As global economies become increasingly digital, the demand for technical skills continues to grow. The forum highlights the need for education systems and training institutions to adapt their programmes to meet these emerging demands. Participants are also discussing ways to improve access to online learning platforms and vocational training opportunities. These efforts are designed to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills needed to compete in both local and global job markets.

The combined efforts of the Women’s Forum and Youth Forum reflect a broader national commitment to inclusive digital transformation. By creating dedicated spaces for dialogue and collaboration, Lesotho is ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping digital policies and strategies. This inclusive approach helps identify real-world challenges and develop solutions that are practical and effective. It also strengthens social cohesion by ensuring that both women and youth feel represented in national development processes. Inclusion in digital transformation is not only a matter of fairness but also a key driver of innovation and economic progress.

The parallel Women’s Forum and Youth Forum represent an important step in advancing Lesotho’s digital transformation agenda through inclusive participation. By focusing on access, skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, these platforms are helping to build a more equitable digital economy. The active involvement of women and young people ensures that the benefits of digital progress are widely shared across society. As Lesotho continues to expand its digital infrastructure and policies, these forums will play a vital role in shaping a future that is both innovative and inclusive.