Renewable Lesotho, in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the NUL Energy Research Centre (ERC), Get.invest Lesotho and the Department of Energy (DoE),  is hosting the first Lesotho Energy Access Dialogue (LEAD) to accelerate universal energy access and energy security in Lesotho by fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue, participation and strong partnerships to find actionable solutions that improve implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks, capacity building and investment in the energy sector.

Renewable Lesotho, an initiative under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, supports Lesotho’s solar, hydro and wind energy potential to maximise generation, achieve energy security and improve access to clean energy. Renewable Lesotho brings together a toolbox of instruments, including capacity building, policy and regulatory advice, stakeholder engagement, financial support, and energy infrastructure development.

In its endeavour to promote green sustainability, Nedbank Lesotho is proudly supporting the LEAD 2025 as a Gold Sponsor. Through its Pan-African footprint, NedBank is well positioned to provide world-class sustainable financial solutions to grow the continent's ambitions and to achieve a net-zero economy.

The LEAD 2025, taking place on 25 – 26 June 2025 at Avani Lesotho, will mark a significant milestone in an effort to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The main objectives of the LEAD 2025 are to:

• Discuss matters enabling universal access to energy, including funding opportunities, project prospects, policy and regulations to develop implementable solutions.

• Foster cooperation and partnerships between all major stakeholders, including academia, policymakers, regulators, private sector (developers) and public and private financial institutions to propel Lesotho towards universal electricity access and energy security. 

The LEAD 2025 is targeting the following outcomes:

• Information about project opportunities, implementation processes and available funding mechanisms,

• Recommendations for sector reforms and ways forward,

• Partnerships and cooperation opportunities (especially for private sector companies), and

• Shared lessons and experiences regarding acceleration of energy access through renewable energy solutions.

Note to editors

Renewable Lesotho aims to support Lesotho’s energy sector, including public entities as well as the private sector through business catalyst and matchmaking support provided by European multi-donor platforms, GET.transform and GET.invest, to stimulate renewable energy investments in Lesotho. Renewable Lesotho is a collaborative effort by GET.invest Lesotho, UNDP and the European Union. Launched in 2023, Renewable Lesotho is part of Europe’s Global Gateway strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is a global business association representing 200 members along the distributed renewable energy value chain, working to expand sustainable electricity access, create jobs and respond to climate change in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

NUL Energy Research Centre (NUL ERC) is an academic thinktank with the mandate to respond to the energy and climate change challenges facing Lesotho by developing and/or adapting knowledge and technologies that enable smooth transition to a sustainable energy system.

GET.invest Lesotho: GET.invest is a European programme that mobilises investment in renewable energy, co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria. Since 2023, the programme has been operating a country window in Lesotho funded by the European Union and Germany. GET.invest Lesotho is part of Renewable Lesotho – a joint initiative of the EU, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and other partners, promoting access to reliable and equitable energy and improving energy sector leadership and capacity.

The Department of Energy (DoE) was established in 1985 under the then Ministry of Energy, Water and Mining. The DoE is committed to ensuring universal access to affordable and sustainable energy, with minimal negative impact on the environment.