Seithati Motšoeneng
LESOTHO must move beyond annual discussions on science and innovation and turn research into practical solutions, businesses and jobs, Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Nthati Moorosi, has said.
Speaking at the official opening of the third National Science, Technology and Innovation Week 2026 at the Lehakoe Recreation Centre this week, Ms Moorosi challenged the country to build a culture in which science, technology and innovation (STI) are central to solving national challenges and driving economic growth.
The event seeks to promote the practical application of science, technology and innovation to address national development challenges and improve the quality of life of Basotho.
Its objectives include raising awareness of the role of STI in national development, showcasing research and innovations, encouraging dialogue across sectors and strengthening collaboration among government, academia, industry, innovators and development partners.
The event is being held under the theme: “Exploring the Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Improving Lives and Building a Better Future”.
Ms Moorosi recalled that when she assumed office four years ago, she pledged to champion STI by establishing an annual national platform to bring together researchers, innovators, policymakers, industry leaders and young people.
“Today, as we convene this third edition, I am pleased to see this commitment continuously taking shape. However, our ambition must extend far beyond hosting a yearly event,” Ms Moorosi said.
She said the country needed to translate scientific knowledge, research and innovation into tangible improvements in the lives of Basotho, adding that international STI forums in Addis Ababa and New York earlier this year had reinforced the importance of investing in knowledge and innovation.
“Nations that invest in scientific knowledge, research capabilities, and innovation are far better positioned to industrialise, boost productivity, compete globally, and generate sustainable employment.
“Lesotho can no longer afford to remain a mere consumer of technologies and innovations developed elsewhere.”
She said Lesotho needed to become a producer of knowledge, a developer of solutions and a creator of value, with research leading to new products, improved services, stronger industries and better livelihoods rather than ending with academic publications.
Ms Moorosi said the government was strengthening policy and institutional frameworks to support this transition.
He said one of the key initiatives was the Research and Innovation Policy, which is undergoing approval. The policy seeks to turn research into commercially viable products, technologies and services while strengthening collaboration between universities, research institutions, entrepreneurs, investors and industry.
“Research must not end up as a report gathering dust on a shelf. It must find its way into our factories, farms, businesses, public services, and communities,” she said.
She added that the government was also advancing the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy to recognise and protect knowledge developed by Basotho over generations.
Ms Moorosi said indigenous knowledge could provide valuable opportunities for developing practical products and services, provided it was responsibly developed and the communities that preserved it benefited from its application.
The initiatives complement the Artificial Intelligence Policy and the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2024–2030, which the minister said were laying the groundwork for a knowledge-driven economy.
She pointed to an AI-powered chatbot being developed by her ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition as an example of how technology could address practical challenges.
“The proposed chatbot is intended to strengthen agricultural extension services by giving farmers timely information on crop management, pests and farming practices.
“Imagine a farmer in a remote village accessing real-time guidance on crop management, pest control, and modern farming practices through an intuitive digital service. That is precisely the kind of practical innovation we aim to foster,” she said.
Ms Moorosi said the government was also upgrading High-Performance Computing infrastructure at the Mohale’s Hoek Data Centre to expand the country’s capacity to support artificial intelligence.
She said the improved infrastructure would support scientific modelling, advanced research, data analytics and the development of AI applications tailored to local needs.
She also highlighted the Lesotho Research and Education Network, which connects academic and research institutions, and the University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD), which seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application.
Through the UNIPOD, researchers and innovators can test, prototype and refine ideas into potentially viable products and services.
Ms Moorosi challenged universities, researchers and young innovators to go beyond demonstrating that their ideas worked and explore how they could be manufactured, commercialised and brought to market.
She urged the private sector to invest in local innovations and partner with research and development institutions to provide infrastructure, skills and financing.
The government ministries, she added, should also become active users of locally developed technologies and solutions.
“Our success should not be measured merely by the volume of ideas generated, but by the tangible solutions deployed, businesses established, jobs created, and real-world problems solved,” she said.
She identified agriculture, healthcare, education, environmental management and public service delivery as areas where researchers and innovators could contribute to addressing national priorities.
Ms Moorosi also called for Lesotho’s participation in regional and international initiatives, including the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034), to translate into stronger national capabilities and measurable benefits for citizens.
She expressed hope that the next edition of the annual event would showcase newly developed technologies, commercialised research, established enterprises and practical solutions adopted by local communities.
“Our ambition is clear: to build a Lesotho where scientific knowledge drives productivity, innovation fuels economic opportunity, and technology enhances the everyday lives of our people,” she said.
In her opening remarks, Acting Director of ICT, Matšepo Mosoka, said the National Science, Technology and Innovation Week remained the ministry’s main platform for dialogue, collaboration, knowledge exchange and the exhibition of research, technologies and innovations.
Ms Mosoka said the ICT department was responsible for promoting STI as a catalyst for sustainable national development.
She said the event aligned with Lesotho’s development priorities and the African Union’s STISA-2034.
Ms Mosoka said the event would also promote intellectual property protection, technology transfer and the commercialisation of research.