Lesotho: National Science, Technology and Innovation Week 2026

The Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Honourable Nthati Moorosi, has called for greater efforts to translate scientific research and innovation into practical solutions that improve the lives of Basotho.

The Minister made the call when officially opening the third edition of the National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Week 2026 in Maseru Today.Held under the theme “Exploring the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in Improving Lives and Building a Better Future,” the week-long event brings together stakeholders to explore how science, technology and innovation can address Lesotho’s development priorities.

In her keynote address, Hon. Moorosi said the country must build a culture in which science, technology and innovation are central to solving problems, creating jobs and growing the economy.

She noted that these fields are no longer activities reserved for universities and research institutions but have become the backbone of modern, competitive economies.

The Minister stressed that research should not end with reports on shelves but must find practical application in factories, farms, businesses, public services and communities.

She further highlighted Government’s efforts to strengthen the policy and institutional foundations for research and innovation, including advancing the Research and Innovation Policy through the necessary approval processes. The policy is intended to strengthen the translation of scientific knowledge into commercially viable products, technologies and services.

As part of practical initiatives to apply innovation to national priorities, Hon. Moorosi said her Ministry, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, is developing an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to strengthen agricultural extension services. The initiative aims to improve farmers’ access to timely and practical agricultural information and advice.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade the High-Performance Computing infrastructure at the Mohale’s Hoek Data Centre to support scientific modelling, advanced research, data analytics and the development of locally relevant artificial intelligence applications.

Hon. Moorosi called on universities, researchers and young innovators to move beyond demonstrating that ideas are scientifically possible and take the next step towards testing, improving, commercialising and deploying them for the benefit of society.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Matšepo Mosoka, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to promoting science, technology and innovation as drivers of sustainable development.

The week’s programme will focus on the application of science, technology and innovation in agriculture, healthcare, digital transformation, climate resilience and the broader innovation ecosystem.

The event also provides a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and explore practical ways of addressing national challenges through locally developed solutions.

Through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Week, the Government of Lesotho seeks to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and ensure that scientific knowledge contributes to productivity, economic opportunities and improved livelihoods.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.