LocationsNine ventures strengthening Lesotho's private sector to drive inclusive development and advance the Sustainable Development Goals
The Growth Stage Basotho Ventures Shaping Tomorrow's Sustainable Economy
February 24, 2026
Representatives from all nine ventures with UNDP Lesotho’s Deputy Resident Mr. Representative, Taye Amssalu, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, and staff representatives of the UNDP including Omar El Fakharany, SDG Investment and Impact Management Analyst, and Natacha Dzossou, ASFH.
Caitlin Ellen Moore
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is proud to announce the finalists of the 2026 Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) Programme in Lesotho, an important milestone for the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and a powerful signal that Lesotho’s private sector is ready to compete, expand, and thrive on regional, continental, and global stages.
The GSIV Programme is a nonfinancial support initiative that identifies growth stage enterprises demonstrating strong commercial potential and meaningful contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By offering increased visibility, exposure, and opportunities to engage with a wide range of partners, the programme aims to strengthen investment pipelines and enhance the conditions that enable promising ventures to better position themselves for future growth. In a global environment where investors are increasingly attentive to both financial performance and measurable impact, GSIV seeks to highlight the value and potential of African enterprises that are contributing to sustainable development through innovative and scalable business models.
Lesotho’s participation in GSIV is particularly significant. As the country works to strengthen economic resilience, create jobs, and expand opportunities for young people and women, growthstage businesses serve as essential drivers of inclusive development. GSIV supports this shift by elevating enterprises that have demonstrated strong market traction, innovative solutions, and tangible benefits for communities.
From 15 nominations received from accelerators, impact funds, family offices, government institutions, and international organizations, 9 ventures were selected after meeting the programme’s stringent criteria.
These criteria include substantial operational presence in Lesotho, measurable economic/social/environmental impact, innovative business models or technologies, strong and complementary teams, and clear potential for scaling across the region or continent. The selected ventures are...
Berltex and Printer PTY LTD started operations as a sole business in 2009, was incorporated in 2014, and now has 11 years of experience in the printing and branding industry. The company was founded by Berlina Lipholo, driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and brand creation.
The business deals in three major areas, knitting, printing, and production. Knitting includes jerseys, caps, collars, tracksuits, and woolen hats. Printing includes embroidery, sublimation, and screen printing. Production involves sewing of T-shirts, golf shirts, and protective clothing. Supplying affordable school uniforms to school children forms part of their core activity.
Sector: Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Investment Opportunity Area: Fabric and textile manufacturing
To learn more about Berltex and Printer, head here: https://berltex.co.ls/about-us/
Iconics Clothing is a Lesotho-based manufacturing company founded in 2016 by Rapitso Mosebetsi and Tumo Mahapa, with a vision to create locally produced, high-quality protective and lifestyle apparel. The idea was born during a period when most personal protective equipment (PPE) used in Lesotho was imported, making access difficult and costly. The founders initially sourced PPE from South Africa for resale, but the 2021 COVID-19 border restrictions exposed the vulnerability of relying on imports. This challenge became a turning point.
In recent years, they have expanded its product offering to include innovative Thermal Heating Apparel and Smart Cooling Vests—making it the only company in Lesotho producing this technology. The business has secured contracts with major government ministries, private companies, and NGOs, and generates most of its revenue through B2B clients in construction, mining, health, and agriculture.
Today, Iconics is scaling production, entering export markets, and developing new product lines including safety boots and lifestyle collections.
Sector: Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Investment Opportunity Area: PPE Production
To learn more about Iconics Clothing, head to: iconics.co.ls
Jalad Africa is an export-driven leather goods manufacturing company established in 2017 by two entrepreneurs through bootstrapping. Its core mission is centred on creating meaningful and decent employment opportunities for youth. To this end, the company exclusively hire young individuals and collaborate with youth in various aspects of the business, including graphic design, delivery, photography, and marketing.
The company owns the acclaimed ZERI LEATHER brand, renowned for its timeless elegance, premium craftsmanship, and high-quality leather bags meticulously handcrafted by young Basotho artisans.
Sector: Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Investment Opportunity Area: Sustainable production of leather
To learn more about Jalad Africa, head to: zerileather.com
Mahleseli Energy is a company that specializes in the deployment of renewable energy solutions. The company’s experience in renewable energy dates to 2015, and it has since been working with the Government of Lesotho under rural water supply projects. Its operations mainly focus on supplying and installing solar home systems (SHS).
They specialize in high-quality solar home systems equipped with PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) technology, making solar energy accessible and affordable for households and small businesses. Their main goal is to provide Lesotho with clean energy that will contribute to the modernization and economic growth of the country.
Sector: Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy
Investment Opportunity Area: Off-grid solutions
To learn more about Mahleseli Energy, head to: mahlaselienergy.co.ls
MED-iQ Nutraceuticals began operations in July 2021 as a sole proprietorship licensed by the Ministry of Health in Lesotho. Founded by Thabang David Seotsanyana, it was created to offer holistic and scientifically informed complementary healthcare, focusing on essential oils extraction and plant-based dietary supplements for conditions like kidney stones, urinary tract complications, and chronic/lifestyle diseases.
Due to increasing demand and the need for scale, MED-iQ formally incorporated as MEDIQ Group (Pty) Ltd in February 2024, licensed as a manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products. This transition enabled expansion of its clinical services, manufacturing, and distribution capacity.
The company now operates three branches across Lesotho, integrates traditional practices with modern health standards, and aims to export essential oils to the EU/UAE. Quality assurance, intellectual property protection such as trademarks and patents, e-commerce, local and international partnerships, business insurance, and clinical trials, position MED-iQ Nutraceuticals as a leading force in naturopathic medicine in the region.
Sector: Healthcare
Investment Opportunity Area: Manufacturing of pharmaceutical products
To learn more about MED-iQ Nutraceuticals, head to Facebook.
Moamak Trading is a telecommunications infrastructure provider founded in 2006. While based in Lesotho, it also operates in South Africa.
The company specializes in the supply and installation of key infrastructure such as BTSs, smart poles, fiber optic cables, and radio frequency and transmission equipment. Its major clients include leading firms such as Vodacom SA, LSO, MTN SA, Telkom SA, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), Huawei, ZTE, and Facebook Inc.
Sector: Technology & Communications
Investment Opportunity Area: Connectivity for rural development with emerging technology
To learn more about Moamak Trading, head to: moamak.co.za
Pay Lesotho was founded in 2020 to address the challenges of limited financial inclusion and fragmented digital payment systems in Lesotho.
The company began by providing secure, affordable, and accessible payment solutions for individuals, SMEs, and street vendors who relied heavily on cash. Over time, Pay Lesotho gained recognition from the Central Bank of Lesotho and built strong partnerships with major mobile money providers like EcoCash and M-Pesa.
Its growth includes leading digital payment pilots for government e-services, deploying POS devices for mobile money acceptance, and developing advanced capabilities such as Xpay for cross-border payments. These milestones have positioned Pay Lesotho as a key fintech innovator in the country.
Sector: Financials
Investment Opportunity Area: Digital payment solutions
To learn more about Pay Lesotho, head to: paylesotho.co.ls
Riverside Fresh Farm Produce was founded by two shareholders and registered in August 2017.
Starting in January 2014 as a small farm producing 2,580 eggs per day, with one sow and one boar, it has grown such that it now produces 23,000 table eggs daily and has 60 snows/breeding pigs.
Riverside Fresh Farm Produce has begun implementing biosecurity measures, whilst also practicing food safety measures and acquiring Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
The company supplies table eggs to chain stores and restaurants, and is currently building a pig abattoir.
Sector: Food & Beverage
Investment Opportunity Area: Egg production
To learn more about Riverside Fresh Farm Produce, head to: riversidefreshfarm.co.ls
Semomotela S’MOO Cosmetics is an innovative beauty brand established in Lesotho, built on the principles of authenticity, empowerment, and respect for cultural heritage. The brand name honours the founder’s grandmother, Semomotela, whose elegance, confidence, and wisdom inspired its creation and shaped the belief that skincare should be both effective and deeply connected to identity.
The brand’s journey began when the founder, facing persistent dry skin and uneven texture, started formulating natural solutions using gentle, locally inspired ingredients. These early formulations delivered visible results and quickly gained interest from family, friends, and the wider community, transforming a home-based initiative into a formal business as demand grew.
Today, S’MOO Cosmetics has expanded its product range and strengthened its presence in local and regional markets. Known for blending indigenous African ingredients with modern cosmetic science, the brand offers natural, effective, halal-friendly, and ethically produced skincare and haircare products. Guided by a commitment to quality, inclusivity, and sustainability, S’MOO empowers individuals to embrace healthier, more confident skin.
Sector: Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Investment Opportunity Area: Beauty Products Manufacturing
To learn more about Semomotela S’MOO Cosmetics, head to: semomotela.store
Collectively, these businesses represent some of the strongest examples of Lesotho’s entrepreneurial talent, enterprises that are creating jobs, strengthening industries, and delivering solutions that can be replicated throughout Southern Africa and beyond. Their innovations span manufacturing, agriculture, technology, energy, hospitality, health, and creative industries, demonstrating the breadth of opportunities emerging in Lesotho’s evolving private sector landscape.
As part of the programme, the finalists will participate in specialized training focused on Impact Measurement and Management (IMM), grounded in UNDP’s SDG Impact Standards. This training will help them reshape internal management systems, integrate sustainability into core business strategies, and strengthen their ability to measure and communicate impact. With global investors increasingly prioritizing transparency, responsibility, and long-term value creation, this training will equip Lesotho’s ventures with the tools needed to strengthen their ability to compete in regional and global markets. Ultimately, this process ensures that as these businesses grow, they do so in ways that are financially resilient, socially beneficial, and environmentally sustainable.
The benefits of GSIV extend well beyond the participating enterprises. By strengthening market ready ventures, the programme helps build a more robust economy in Lesotho, one that supports job creation, nurtures innovation, attracts investment, and contributes to regional value chains. As these businesses scale, they reinforce the country’s position within the Southern African market, contribute to continental economic integration, and showcase Africa’s capacity to deliver solutions with global relevance.
“Development without the private sector is like a car without an engine,” says UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Taye Amssalu in speaking to the nine ventures, “You have a great role to play. The government will facilitate, the academia will create the knowledge, [but] the private sector are the ones that will drive.”
With this year’s GSIV cohort, Lesotho has taken a bold step in demonstrating that its entrepreneurs are ready to drive transformative change. The selected ventures stand as powerful examples of how innovation, commitment, and impact driven business models can shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country, the region, and the world.
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