Promote:
Invest in Lesotho
A short guide for companies expanding into Lesotho: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Lesotho at a glance
PopulationEstimate
2.36 million
Lesotho's population was 2,363,325 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Lesotho population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$2.57 billion
GDP was US$2.57 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Lesotho GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$1,089
GDP per person was US$1,088.96 in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Lesotho GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
2.0%
Real GDP growth was 1.98 percent in calendar year 2025, by the World Bank's figure.
Source: World Bank WDI, Lesotho real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
2.6%
Annual inflation was 2.6 percent in August 2026, the Bureau of Statistics' twelve-month consumer price rate.
Source: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics, Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$-5.77 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were negative US$5.771 million in 2025, per UNCTAD.
Source: UNCTADstat, Lesotho foreign direct investment inflows (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the loti (plural maloti; ISO code LSL).
Source: Central Bank of Lesotho, monetary policy and exchange rate peg (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The investment promotion agency is the Lesotho National Development Corporation, which also acts as the export promotion agency.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
The OBFC, launched in 2016, places licenses, permits and import and export clearances under one roof, says the SADC investment portal.
Source: SADC Investment Portal, Lesotho country page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
As of 2023, per the WTO review, Schedule 16 of the Business Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2020 listed 47 services and activities reserved for Lesotho nationals.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
As of 2023, per the WTO review, Lesotho has no export processing zones, and a legal framework for special economic zones is still being designed.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Lesotho
- Register the company online, or as an external company if it is incorporated abroad.One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre500 maloti local, 1,000 external, 30 for the name; one to two daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SADC Investment Portal, Lesotho country page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get a tax identification number from the revenue authority, which company registration returns.Revenue Services LesothoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SADC Investment Portal, Lesotho country page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Apply for a business identification card and, if you are foreign, a business permit.One-Stop Business Facilitation CentreOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Apply for trading or manufacturing licenses; a manufacturing license needs a health inspection certificate and an environmental impact assessment certificate.One-Stop Business Facilitation CentreOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SADC Investment Portal, Lesotho country page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 4 more set-up steps
- If your activity is on the risk-based license list or in mining, apply for the sector license; the Mining Board authorizes mining.Ministry of Natural ResourcesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Apply for work and residence permits through the OBFC.One-Stop Business Facilitation CentreOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre, mandate (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Secure land through a lease; a foreigner needs a local partner owning at least 20 percent.Land Administration AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
- Check the Exchange Control Order, 1987 and the Exchange Control Regulations, 1989 with your bank before you transfer funds.Central Bank of LesothoOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Lesotho, list of laws (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with LNDC and OBFC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion
LNDC
Lesotho National Development Corporation
Promotes investment, advises exporters on foreign markets, and administers a partial credit guarantee for local businesses.
- Meet requirements
One-stop licensing and registration
OBFC
One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre
Handles company registration, trader and manufacturing licenses, export visas, import permits and work permits in one place.
Visit OBFC (opens in a new tab)Source: One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre, mandate (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Small business development agency
BEDCO
Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation
Helps Basotho-owned micro, small and medium businesses start and grow.
Visit BEDCO (opens in a new tab)Source: Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation, corporate profile page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Regional economic community
SADC
Southern African Development Community
Regional body
Runs an investment portal with country guides on starting a business, taxes and incentives.
Visit SADC (opens in a new tab)Source: SADC Investment Portal, Lesotho country page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
RSL
Revenue Services Lesotho
Runs customs procedures and the ASYCUDA World system for declarations, and administers taxes levied on imports.
- Meet requirements
Regional customs union
SACU
Southern African Customs Union
Regional body
Sets the common external tariff and trade agreements for Lesotho and four neighbors, and runs a tariff enquiries channel.
Visit SACU (opens in a new tab)Source: SACU Secretariat, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
LCCI
Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents businesses to government, and lists certificate of origin and trade facilitation among its member services.
Visit LCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
AGOA status
Lesotho is on the 2026 AGOA list, and a law signed on September 2, 2026 extends the program to December 31, 2028.
What to do: Confirm the eligibility list and any other United States tariffs on your goods before you price.
Sources: GovInfo Federal Register, 2026 AGOA eligibility list, June 2026 (opens in a new tab); GovInfo, H.R. 6500 bill status, September 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax law changes
As of April 2026, a Customs Bill on Parliament's bills list would repeal the Customs and Excise Act, 1982; VAT and tax administration bills were listed the same day.
What to do: Ask customs and the revenue authority which law applies before you rely on current customs or VAT rules.
Sources: National Assembly of Lesotho, Customs Bill 2026 objects (opens in a new tab); National Assembly of Lesotho, Value Added Tax Bill, 2026 listing (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Currency and settlement
As of 2023, per the WTO review, the loti is pegged at par to the rand, and foreign exchange above LSL 1 million a year per adult resident needs approval.
What to do: Confirm the settlement currency and exchange control steps with your bank before you sign a contract.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Reserved sectors
As of 2023, per the WTO review, 47 services and activities were reserved for Lesotho nationals, and amendment regulations tabled in 2024 would add agents of foreign firms.
What to do: Check the schedule with the One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre before you commit capital.
Sources: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab); National Assembly of Lesotho, licensing amendment report, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
Electricity
As of 2023, per the WTO review, Lesotho meets 145 MW of demand from the Muela plant, which generates about 72 MW, plus imports from Mozambique and South Africa.
What to do: Ask LEWA about connection and supply terms for your site.
Source: WTO Trade Policy Review, Lesotho annex, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Lesotho with other countriesSet Lesotho beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Lesotho project.
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Promote:Lesotho is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.