. . . as Lesotho tackles youth unemployment
By: Mpho Shelile
MASERU
Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL), in collaboration with the Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Standard Lesotho Bank, has launched the Bacha Entrepreneurship District Roadshows.
The nationwide outreach programme is set to roll out across all the 10 districts of Lesotho, beginning on 16 June 2025 in Mokhotlong.
Creating awareness around the Bacha Entrepreneurship Project (BEP) and providing crucial guidance to young aspiring entrepreneurs on how to access this transformative opportunity is the main objective of the road shows.
Through interactive sessions, workshops, and informative presentations, youth across the country will gain insight into how to apply for support, pitch their business ideas, and succeed in the competitive entrepreneurial landscape.
Launched in 2014, the Bacha Entrepreneurship Project has established itself as a cornerstone of youth economic empowerment in Lesotho.
Over the past decade, the initiative has invested more than M10 million, supported 33 youth-led enterprises, and generated 184 employment opportunities, significantly contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.
For the 2025 funding cycle, up to M1 million has been allocated to support five promising youth-led businesses. Selected entrepreneurs receive the capital required to either launch new ventures or expand existing ones — boosting innovation, creating jobs, and promoting economic resilience.
Speaking about the initiative, representatives from RSL, BEDCO, and Standard Lesotho Bank emphasised their shared commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Lesotho; one that is inclusive, youth-focused, and designed to unlock the full potential of young innovators.
The roadshows are a timely intervention, coinciding with ongoing national efforts to tackle youth unemployment and promote self-sufficiency through enterprise development.
As Lesotho celebrates its bicentennial and looks to the future, initiatives like BEP signal a hopeful path forward one where young people are not just job seekers, but job creators and changemakers.
For more information on roadshow dates and application guidelines, youth are encouraged to visit the official websites of RSL, BEDCO, and Standard Lesotho Bank, or follow their social media pages.