In July 2025, the government of Lesotho declared a national state of disaster due to the socio-economic effects of the high youth unemployment rate. The declaration reflects the painful reality confronting the country, where vast numbers of young people, whether educated or uneducated, remain locked out of the labour market.
Youth unemployment is not only an economic challenge in Lesotho but also a crisis that threatens the human rights of young people by limiting their right to work, human dignity, and equal opportunities.
To address this problem, the government must empower young people to safeguard their culture and heritage, maximise agricultural investments for them, and strengthen collaborations between the government and the private sector.
Today, approximately 30.5 per cent of Lesotho’s youth are unemployed. Some spend years job hunting without success, while others take on low-paying, informal jobs that barely cover their basic needs. Educated graduates compete fiercely for a handful of government or private sector positions, while non-formally educated youth struggle at the margins.
This widespread frustration deepens poverty cycles, mental disorders, and decreases hope among the generation that should power the nation forward. Youth unemployment not only threatens the economy but also undermines social stability by fueling crime, increasing poverty rates, and eroding national identity.
Lesotho’s culture and heritage hold enormous potential for job creation. The country possesses cultural assets such as Basotho blankets and traditional dances that most other countries cannot replicate. If young people are empowered to run cultural villages, design heritage trails, and host music and fashion festivals, these could create meaningful sources of employment.
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Investing in cultural activities will not only generate jobs but also strengthen Lesotho’s cultural identity. For example, Rwanda’s and South Africa’s music festivals attract thousands of tourists and generate a steady income for young people and artisans.
Lesotho’s proximity to South Africa can be used to Lesotho’s advantage, as tourists from South Africa can cross over to Lesotho on weekends of music and fashion festivals. When the government supports youth-led tourism cooperatives with training and seed funding, the sector creates accessible and profitable jobs.
Agriculture has been the cornerstone of the Basotho economy since the reign of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, yet existing governments often overlook it. By investing in modern techniques, irrigation, and agribusiness training, the government can unlock agriculture’s full potential and equip youth to turn farming into sustainable employment opportunities.
Greenhouses, hydroponics, and processing plants enhance productivity and foster the development of value-added industries. Empowering young farmers by investing in the necessary infrastructure can boost local production and increase crop yields, reducing the nation’s dependence on food imports.
No strategy will succeed without stronger collaboration between government, private companies, non-governmental organisations, and parastatals. As the Sesotho proverb says, “Kopano ke matla,” i.e., “unity is strength.”
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Tackling youth unemployment requires unity; that is, authorities must unite to bridge the gap of “no job without experience.” Paid trainee programs benefit youth by providing a salary to sustain their lives and hands-on experience to stand out to employers.
The government of Lesotho must lead the way by institutionalising structured trainee programs across all sectors. It should set clear standards to be followed by all the sectors and ensure that young people gain practical experience that matches market needs.
The private sector can absorb recent graduates and should jointly fund their stipends with the government, so that neither partner bears the sole burden of paying stipends.
Furthermore, companies must commit to turning internships into real jobs and increasing productivity within their companies. The government must track how many youths are employed through the trainee programs.
Declaring youth unemployment a national state of disaster due to its socio-economic effects may be the first step, but authorities in Lesotho must act with urgency. Youth unemployment can be reduced when investment in tourism, agriculture, and public-private collaborations is prioritised.
These solutions demand no miracles but only leadership, action, and commitment. The youth of Lesotho does not represent a burden; they represent the greatest asset waiting to be unlocked.
Lipuo Mokhesi is a writing fellow at African Liberty, a U.S.-based think tank focused on advancing individual freedom, peace, and prosperity in Africa. She’s available at lmokhesi@studentsforliberty.org or on X as @lipuomokhesi. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
