Honourable Minister Motlatsi Maqelepo Visits Maseru Apparel Business Hub to Boost Lesotho’s Textile Industry

Lesotho continues to strengthen its position as a growing manufacturing and textile hub through strategic investments and partnerships that support industrial development. Yesterday, the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Motlatsi Maqelepo, visited the Maseru Apparel Business Hub to observe the progress being made in expanding the country’s textile and apparel sector. The visit highlighted the government’s commitment to creating a stronger and more competitive industrial economy that delivers long-term benefits for businesses and communities. It also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between local and international development partners in driving sustainable economic growth. As Lesotho seeks to increase exports, create employment and improve industrial capacity, the Maseru Apparel Business Hub stands as an important example of what coordinated investment can achieve.

During the visit, Minister Maqelepo witnessed the work being carried out at the Centre, which has become a key platform for developing skills, encouraging innovation and supporting the growth of Basotho-owned enterprises. The Hub represents a strong partnership between the Government of Lesotho, the European Union in Lesotho, the Government of Germany and GIZ through the Regional Value Chain Lesotho Plus (RVCL+) Programme. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the country’s manufacturing sector by equipping businesses with the knowledge, technology and resources needed to compete in regional and international markets. The Centre is designed to improve productivity while encouraging higher standards of quality and innovation across the textile and apparel industry. By bringing together government, development partners and the private sector, the initiative is helping create an environment where businesses can expand and thrive.

The textile and apparel industry remains one of Lesotho’s most significant economic sectors, contributing substantially to employment, exports and industrial output. Thousands of Basotho rely on this industry for their livelihoods, making continued investment in skills development and enterprise support essential for sustainable growth. The Maseru Apparel Business Hub is helping address industry challenges by offering opportunities for training, technical assistance and business development. These initiatives aim to strengthen the capabilities of local manufacturers while encouraging greater participation from small and medium-sized enterprises. As companies improve their competitiveness, they are better positioned to secure new business opportunities and expand their presence in international supply chains.

A major focus of the Centre is developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the changing demands of the global textile and apparel industry. Skills development plays a critical role in improving productivity, increasing product quality and supporting innovation throughout the manufacturing process. By investing in people, the programme helps ensure that workers have access to modern production techniques and industry best practices. This not only benefits individual employees but also strengthens the long-term competitiveness of local businesses. The emphasis on continuous learning and workforce development creates a strong foundation for future industrial expansion in Lesotho.

The initiative also places significant emphasis on empowering young people and women by creating meaningful employment opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship. Many women already play an important role within Lesotho’s textile sector, and continued investment in training and enterprise development can further increase their participation in higher-skilled and leadership positions. Young entrepreneurs also stand to benefit from improved access to industry knowledge, mentorship and innovation support provided through the Hub. By encouraging greater participation from these groups, the programme contributes to more inclusive economic growth while reducing barriers to opportunity. This approach aligns with Lesotho’s broader national development goals of promoting equality, job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

Another important objective of the Maseru Apparel Business Hub is increasing local value addition within the manufacturing sector. Rather than relying solely on basic production processes, the Centre encourages businesses to develop higher-value products and strengthen their capabilities across the entire production value chain. This approach enables local enterprises to capture greater economic value while improving resilience against changing global market conditions. Expanding value addition also supports stronger linkages between manufacturers, suppliers and service providers within the local economy. Over time, these improvements can contribute to higher export earnings and greater economic diversification for Lesotho.

Minister Maqelepo’s visit also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing industrialisation through strategic collaboration with international partners and the private sector. Public and private investment in productive capacity remains essential for creating a business environment that encourages innovation, attracts investment and supports long-term economic growth. The continued involvement of the European Union, the Government of Germany and GIZ demonstrates the confidence that development partners have in Lesotho’s industrial potential. Such partnerships provide valuable technical expertise, financial support and knowledge sharing that accelerate progress toward national development objectives. They also strengthen Lesotho’s ability to compete effectively within regional and global markets.

The visit to the Maseru Apparel Business Hub sends a strong message about the future direction of Lesotho’s manufacturing sector. By investing in skills, innovation, enterprise development and productive partnerships, the country is laying the foundation for a more competitive and inclusive industrial economy. The government’s continued support for initiatives that strengthen local industries reflects its commitment to creating decent jobs, expanding exports and improving economic opportunities for all Basotho. As Lesotho continues building stronger value chains and empowering local enterprises, the benefits are expected to extend across communities and future generations. Together with its development partners, the country is weaving a stronger future for its textile and apparel industry, one skill, one enterprise and one value chain at a time.