By: Mpho Shelile
MASERU
Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) has disbursed over M127 million in business loans to commercial entities since the launch of its Trade Finance solutions in April last year.
This was revealed by Keketso Makara, the Bank’s Head of Business and Commercial Banking, during the official launch of the 2025 Trade Campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness among Basotho entrepreneurs about the innovative financing solutions available to support enterprise and commercial ventures. These offerings are tailored to address a long-standing challenge in Lesotho’s business ecosystem, which is access to finance.
“As a leading bank for entrepreneurs in Lesotho, we thrive on developing solutions to overcome the challenges our businesses face,” said Makara. “The relaunch of our Trade Finance products is proof that we have crafted a robust portfolio, expanding opportunities for small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs), as well as larger commercial operations.”
Trade is the lifeblood of every economy, however, for many Basotho businesses lack of access to working capital remains a major obstacle. This is why SLB’s Trade Finance portfolio seeks to bridge this gap through three main financial products:
Invoice Discounting Finance which will enable businesses to access funds against unpaid sales invoices, improving cash flow and ensuring smooth daily operations.
Local Purchase Order (LPO) Finance to provide upfront capital to pay suppliers against confirmed purchase orders, empowering businesses to take on and fulfil larger contracts without draining their own resources.
Contract Finance which will offer short-term working capital for businesses to execute verified contracts. This solution is especially vital for contractors involved in infrastructure projects such as school or road construction, allowing them to meet expenses like salaries and materials while awaiting client payments.
“Over 80% of the loans we’ve disbursed fall under the Contract Finance product,” Makara said, “which aligns with the recent surge in construction and public infrastructure projects across the country.”
These solutions are available through both secured and unsecured lending, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to inclusive business growth and economic sustainability. The bank’s proactive approach positions it as a vital player in stimulating Lesotho’s economic engine, particularly in the private sector.
SLB boasts the largest lending book in the country, which exceeded M9.2 billion as of December 2024, a testament to its leadership in Lesotho’s development.
“This is how we, Standard Lesotho Bank, live our purpose: Lesotho is our home, we drive her growth,” Makara said. “We remain the only bank bold enough to introduce such transformative solutions for our people.”
As the 2025 Trade Campaign kicks off, the message is clear: with the right financial tools, Basotho businesses can overcome barriers, scale their operations, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic future.