Press Conference: Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Mette Sunnergren, Head of the EU Delegation, at the LEAD Conference 2026

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I present my respects to His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate,

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, 

The Honourable President of the Senate, Mamonaheng Mokitimi,

The Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, 

His Lordship the Chief Justice, Sakoane Sakoaone,

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Mme Nthomeng Majara,

Honorable Ministers in His Majesty’s Cabinet, and in particular:

The Honourable Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. Lejone Mpotjoane

Their Excellences Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations;

Honourable Vice President of the Senate, Ntate Tsukutlane Au

Honourable Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mme Tšepang Tšita-Mosena

Honourable members of the National Assembly and of the Senate and Principal Chiefs,

Government officials 

Representatives of Civil Society Organisations,

Members of the Media,

All protocols observed

It is my great honour to address you today in the lead up to the Lesotho Energy Access Dialogue (LEAD) Conference 2026. A year ago, in collaboration with our partners GIZ and National University of Lesotho - Energy Research Centre, we hosted the inaugural Lesotho LEAD conference which brought together industry experts, regulators, public and private sector under one roof to chart a path for Lesotho towards universal access to energy.

LEAD 2026 builds on commitments from 2025 that highlighted the need for policy reform, capacity building for the private sector and participation of youth in energy. Commendable progress continues to be made as the policy is at development stage, with stakeholder consultations on-going, while business incubation of SMME’s under the Get.Invest programme is in process and capacity building for the banking centre has now commenced. 

Following upon a specific recommendation from last year, a Youth Pitso on energy transformation was held in the run up to this year’s edition, and LEAD 2026 will have a dedicated session for the youth and career paths in the sector. 

This LEAD conference comes at a pivotal moment in our collective journey towards a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient energy future. The world as we know it, is transforming, climate change is no longer an abstract but a lived reality, the present increase in oil prices continues to negatively affect each one of us.

The European Union (EU) stands firmly alongside Lesotho as a committed partner in accelerating energy access, fostering innovation, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to clean energy.

The EU’s Green Deal package underscores our ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, with a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Central to this strategy is the Global Gateway Initiative, through which the EU is mobilising €300 billion by 2027 to support sustainable infrastructure, digitalisation, and energy transitions worldwide—with a strong focus on Africa.

In Southern Africa, the EU is championing a just energy transition—one that balances climate action with socio-economic development, job creation, and energy security. We recognise that energy poverty remains a critical challenge, in Lesotho, at least 47% of the population lacks access to electricity. Our approach prioritises universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

The EU is a long-standing partner to Lesotho and significantly this year will mark 50 years of partnership, lately in the sectors of green economy and governance, but over the years on many other sector depending on Lesotho’s needs evolutions. In the energy sector, our support spans from deployment of renewable energy through off grid solutions such as mini grids, solar home systems and improved cooking stoves, to support to larger infrastructure programmes, such as dams for hydropower and climate proofing with land rehabilitation measures for solar plants. In addition, we are involved in policy and institutional support and capacity building of both private and public sector players.

This year’s LEAD conference aims to move from Commitments to Action and is a critical platform to accelerate action, forge partnerships, and mobilise resources for Lesotho’s energy future. We urge all stakeholders—government, private sector, and development partners—to set bold, time-bound targets for universal energy access by 2030. This includes scaling up renewable energy, expanding grid and off-grid solutions, and ensuring affordability for all Basotho, while setting tariffs that allow for viable adoption of new generation capacity, transmission and use. 

We believe energy transition must leave no one behind. We call for gender-responsive policies, youth engagement, and support for vulnerable communities to ensure that energy access translates into economic opportunities and social equity. The EU is ready to deepen collaboration with Lesotho. 

Lesotho’s energy transition should not be just about generation of energy or carbon reductions, or number of people connected —it should also be about transforming lives, driving economic growth, and securing a habitable planet for the next generation. The EU remains a committed partner in this journey, and we are confident that this conference will mark a turning point in Lesotho’s path to energy independence and sustainability.

Let us remember energy is the great enabler—of education, healthcare, industry, and dignity. Together, we can turn Lesotho’s energy challenges into opportunities for prosperity.

We note the bold steps that government continue to take in the roll out of the Mission 300 in ensuring access. We continue to encourage further reform including the passing of the Energy Bill.

As I conclude, I affirm the EU’s commitment to support Lesotho’s ambition to universal energy access and becoming a net exporter of renewable energy.

Khotso. Pula. Nala