By: Thoboloko Ntšonyane
Maseru – His Majesty King Letsie III has over the weekend left for the European continent where he will visit four countries selling Lesotho as a viable and best destination for investment on clean energy.
The King is continuing his investment drive in Europe, having been to the United Kingdom (UK) on a similar charm offensive last month.
In this second leg of the investment roadshow, the Head of State is expected to visit four European countries including Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
His focus has been on attracting investment for clean energy projects in Lesotho.
His Majesty’s efforts in the UK have been well-received, and he is now looking to build on this momentum. The UK investment tour was considered a success, with the UK High Commissioner to Lesotho, Harry MacDonald describing it as successful.
“The proposition that Lesotho has offered is exceptional and it was very well received by organisations based in the UK- financial organisations, investment organisations, energy groups, implementers and partners. A large number of groups signed up to say yes we want this partnership, we want to work with Lesotho.
“Renewable energy is the future, it is the engine of growth most likely for Lesotho. Now it is the time to tap into it British organisations, British investors, British financial institutions will be there to offer that and let’s make it happen,” he said then post the investment drive in the UK.
Lesotho is said to enjoy at least 300 days of sunlight annually, making it an ideal for renewable energy initiatives.
Speaking on national television, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Hon Limpho Tau said the King is accompanied by three of his ministers including the Minister of Energy Prof NqosaMahao, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane and the Minister of Natural Resources Hon Mohlomi Moleko.
He aims to engage more investors and encourage them to consider the lucrative opportunities available in Lesotho.
By highlighting the abundant sunlight and the government’s commitment to sustainable energy, the King hopes to secure significant investments that will drive the development of clean energy infrastructure and boost the country’s economy.
Similarly, the Prime Minister (PM) Rt Hon Ntsokoane Matekane tabled the country’s proposition for clean energy to South Korea during the recent Korea-Africa Summit held in May.
He said Lesotho “embraces” the vision of the Korea-Africa Summit, which envisions a future where Korea and African countries collaborate on matters of sustainable development, solidarity, and shared growth.
“Equally important and cross cutting is the energy sector. Sustainable cooperation is imperative in fully utilizing environmentally friendly sources of energy. Lesotho for instance, is richly endowed with hydro, solar and wind energy resources which makes it the potential Southern African Power Pool.
“These resources are ready for development and collaboration with other friendly countries. In this regard, we invite the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Private Sector to consider investments in Water harvesting, hydro power generation, solar power and all forms of clean and renewable energy,” he presented the country’s proposition.