Sebabatso 2026 Applications Now Open

The Prime Minister’s Vanguard Initiative for Youth Empowerment, known as Sebabatso, was launched in October 2023 to tackle youth unemployment and expand economic opportunities for young people in Lesotho.

Now in its fourth year, the Government of Lesotho and UNDP Lesotho are pleased to announce that applications are officially open for the Sebabatso 2026 cohort.

Sebabatso is designed to remove barriers that prevent youth-led enterprises from growing into sustainable businesses. The programme strengthens entrepreneurship, improves access to markets and finance, and builds the capacity of young innovators. It is structured into two streams: Entrepreneurs and Innovators (STEAM). This year, both streams are accessed through a single application form.

APPLY HERE

What is Sebabatso?

Sebabatso is a national youth empowerment initiative under the Prime Minister’s Vanguard Programme, aimed at accelerating the growth and scaling of youth-led innovations and businesses. It is implemented by UNDP Lesotho in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development.

Young entrepreneurs aged 15–35 are encouraged to apply with projects that contribute to national development.

Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for young people who already have existing businesses and need support to scale, grow, and reach the next stage of development.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• What makes their business unique
• How their business impacts local communities positively
• Clear plans for growth and expansion

Selected entrepreneurs will benefit from training, mentorship, improved access to finance and markets, and tailored capacity-building support to strengthen and scale their businesses.

Sebabatso is a call to young Basotho across all 10 districts—regardless of background, gender, or experience—to innovate, grow, and help shape the country’s economic future.

What is STEAM?

The STEAM Initiative is part of Sebabatso and is led by UNDP Lesotho in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology, and Innovation. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

This stream supports young innovators aged 16 and above who are developing solutions that address real-world challenges.

Applicants’ ideas must:

• Address a development challenge in Lesotho
• Contribute to the National Strategic Development Plan II and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Align with key sectors such as mining, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, technology, health, transport, energy, and finance
• Fit within at least one STEAM category

Applications are open to individuals or groups from any of Lesotho’s 10 districts, regardless of background or experience.

Deadline

Applications for both Sebabatso (Entrepreneurs) and STEAM (Innovators) must be submitted by:

Friday, 31 July 2026 at 12:00 PM SAST (UTC+02:00)

APPLY HERE