Lesotho Launches 2025 National Science Festival Focused on Artificial Intelligence

The Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) officially opened the 2025 National Science Festival at Lehakoe Recreation Centre under the theme “Embracing Applications of Artificial Intelligence.” The event brought together scientists, innovators, educators, and policymakers to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in national development.

Delivering the keynote address, the Principal Secretary reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to harnessing AI as a driver of inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable progress. “This Festival is more than a celebration — it is a declaration of intent,” he said. “It reflects Lesotho’s determination to take bold steps into the digital future while upholding our values of Botho, integrity, and inclusivity.”

The address highlighted AI’s growing impact across critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and public service delivery. The Principal Secretary emphasized that Lesotho’s National Digital Transformation Strategy aims to empower citizens through digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation, in line with the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He also called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, academia, the private sector, and international development partners such as the UNDP, UNICEF, and the European Union. Collaboration, he said, will be essential in building an ethical and inclusive AI ecosystem that benefits all Basotho.

A major highlight of the Festival was the commissioning of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) System in Mohale’s Hoek. The system marks a significant milestone for Lesotho, enabling advanced research, data analytics, and innovation-led economic growth.

In closing, the Principal Secretary urged all Basotho to view AI not as a distant concept but as a practical tool for empowerment and progress. “Artificial Intelligence is not a distant dream — it is here, reshaping our present and defining our future,” he said, officially declaring the 2025 National Science Festival open. The Festival reaffirmed Lesotho’s readiness to embrace technological innovation as a foundation for sustainable development and a key driver of its digital future.