Vodacom Lesotho Celebrates 30 Years of Pioneering Mobile Communications and National Development

Maseru – Vodacom Lesotho this week commemorates 30 years since commencing operations, at a time when mobile communication was virtually unknown in the country. As the first operator in Lesotho, the company laid the foundations for a sector that has since become central to national development.

From a single portable base station in 1996, the network has expanded to 420 base stations, providing coverage to approximately 98 % of the population. About 68 % of Basotho now have internet access, one of the highest and most affordable rates in the local market. Vodacom Lesotho employs more than 300 permanent, temporary and contract staff and further supporting thousands of indirect jobs across the country. The company maintains a near 100 % localisation profile for its services and consistently meets its tax, dividend and regulatory obligations.

Operating in one of the most challenging terrains in the world, Vodacom Lesotho has extended connectivity to remote areas, enabling Basotho to access services, information and economic opportunities previously out of reach. Its network has enhanced the efficiency of government operations, facilitated the digitisation of public services and increased productivity across sectors such as banking, retail, manufacturing and logistics.

Three decades of connectivity have also broadened access to information and learning. Learners and educators throughout Lesotho can now tap into digital resources and global knowledge platforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the network proved essential in sustaining government communications, education, business continuity and social contact.

Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, Shameel Joosub, reaffirmed Lesotho's strategic importance to the group's continental growth strategy: "Lesotho remains a cornerstone of our African footprint. Our journey over the last three decades has proven that sustained investment in digital infrastructure is the most effective catalyst for social and economic progress. We look to the future with renewed commitment and are dedicated to investing in expanding financial and digital inclusion and supporting national digitisation, so that we may continue to unlock opportunity for all. Lesotho is a crucial partner in building a digitally enabled society for the next 30 years and beyond."

Reflecting on the milestone, the Chief Executive Officer, Mohale Ralebitso, stated: "I am moved not only by the physical distance we've travelled but by the profound depth of the connection we have built as a nation. When Vodacom first arrived in Lesotho, mobile communication was a distant dream. Today, connectivity is the heartbeat of our daily lives." Ralebitso further elaborated on the tangible impact of this journey: "We've seen how a simple signal bridges vast distances, transforming healthcare, education, and agriculture. We've seen innovation ignite SMEs and empower larger enterprises, while technology has streamlined service delivery to ensure critical support, such as social grants, reaches those in need efficiently and with dignity." He concluded by reaffirming the company's commitment: "This journey has been sustained by an unyielding spirit of partnership between Vodacom, the Government of Lesotho, and every Mosotho who has placed their trust in us. As we look ahead, our purpose remains clear: to simplify the complex, empower the ambitious, and ensure that every Mosotho is connected not just to the network, but to a better, more prosperous future."

Through the Vodacom Lesotho Foundation, the company channels social investment into education, health, public safety, youth entrepreneurship, gender-based violence response, inclusion of persons with disabilities and community development. This work reinforces the company's role as a long-term partner in national development.

Vodacom Lesotho remains committed to its purpose of connecting for a better future by advancing inclusive, resilient and future-ready digital infrastructure that supports Lesotho's continued growth and prosperity.