Lesotho Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in lesotho, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Business Travel
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Business Travel & Customs: 

Breakfast meetings are gaining popularity, lunches tend to be one hour long, and business meetings are either normally held in offices or over meals. It is important to reconfirm appointments the day of the meeting. There are often delays and many meetings start or run late.

Business attire in Lesotho is similar to attire in the United States, if slightly more formal. Common terminology used for dress code in business invitations are: 

  • Black Tie (dark suit and tie or tuxedo or formal evening dress)
  • Business (jacket and tie or a business dress)
  • Smart Casual (casual clothing with or without tie, but no jeans and no sneakers)
  • Casual (includes jeans but no sport shorts)


Travel Advisory 

For travel advisory information on Lesotho, please click on the link below to the State Department’s consular information sheet for Lesotho: https://travel.state.gov/…/Lesotho.html.
 

Visa requirements

U.S. citizens traveling to Lesotho require a valid passport. U.S. passport holders on holiday or business visits for periods of up to 90 days, do not a require visa to enter Lesotho. Vaccination for yellow fever is a common requirement, and travelers should carry their international vaccination cards with them. 

For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Lesotho Embassy in Washington: 
Embassy of Lesotho 2511 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC. 20008
Tel: (202) 797-5533
Website: https://ls.usembassy.gov

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:
State Department Visa Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
United States Embassy Maseru Website: https://ls.usembassy.gov/visas/

Currency

The currency unit is the loti, which is pegged 1:1 against the South African Rand; the average exchange rate for 2025 is 17.889:1 Maloti to the dollar. Lesotho uses the metric system for weight and measurements. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at major restaurants and in retail centers, and ATMs that accept U.S. ATM networks are generally available in Maseru. 
Telecommunications/Electronics: Lesotho Communication Authority (LCA) regulates telecommunication services. Lesotho’s telecommunications network has grown significantly in recent years; however, market penetration is still below the African average. Econet provides mobile network services, along with Vodacom Lesotho (VCL). 

Dial-up is still the most common mode of internet access; VCL and Econet however, also have wireless broadband technology (3G and EVDO respectively). On April 14, the LCA granted Starlink a 10-year license to provide satellite internet services. Both VCL and Econet have launched 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. In 2018, Lesotho became the first African country to launch 5G network service. Both Econet and Vodacom launched 5G network services and these services are available in four of the 10 districts of the country.  

Telecommunications/Electronics

Lesotho Communication Authority (LCA) regulates telecommunication services. Lesotho’s telecommunications network has grown significantly in recent years; however, market penetration is still below the African average. Econet provides mobile network services, along with Vodacom Lesotho (VCL). Dial-up is still the most common mode of internet access; VCL and Econet however, also have wireless broadband technology (3G and EVDO respectively).  

On April 14, the LCA granted Starlink a 10-year license to provide satellite internet services. Both VCL and Econet have launched 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. In 2018, Lesotho became the first African country to launch 5G network service.  Both Econet and Vodacom launched 5G network services and these services are available in four of the 10 districts of the country. 
 
Resources
Lesotho Communications Authority: https://www.lca.org.ls  

Transportation 

Travel to Lesotho can either be by road or by air. Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) is located in Maseru, and there are regular flights to/from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Owning or renting a private car is essential in Lesotho since public transportation is, in most instances, not suitable for U.S. tourists or travelers, with the exception of a few private taxi companies. It is highly recommended that travelers to Lesotho consider pre-arranging and making use of car rental facilities. Avis Car Rental and Europcar operate in Lesotho. 

Language 

Sesotho and English are the official languages of Lesotho. Meetings with foreigners are generally conducted in English.
Health: Medical facilities and overall care in Lesotho are limited. Vitality Health Lesotho provides ambulance service in cases of emergency.  Specialist care is available in 90 miles west of Maseru in Bloemfontein, South Africa. U.S. Embassy Maseru maintains a list of physicians and other health care professionals, but the Embassy does not guarantee service or provide recommendations.

Many medicines are unavailable at facilities in Lesotho; travelers should carry an adequate supply of necessary medicines and/or prescription drugs, along with copies of their prescriptions. The 2024 UNAIDS report reflected Lesotho has a high HIV prevalence, currently estimated at 17.1 percent of the adult population between 15-49 years of age. Travelers should ensure they are aware of the associated risks and risk behavior. Additional information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Local time, business hours, and holidays: The time difference between Lesotho and the Eastern Time Zone of the United States is seven hours during U.S. Standard Time and six hours during U.S. Daylight Saving Time. 

Businesses are open Monday through Friday, generally from 08:00 until 17:00. Some businesses close for lunch between 13:00 and 14:00. Banks are open weekdays from 09:00 to 15:30, and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:00. Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings: Travelers must declare all goods in their possession except for personal clothing, essential toilet articles, and used sporting equipment. To be free from declaration, these goods must be for the passenger’s personal use and not intended as gifts or to be sold, exchanged, or traded.  All articles, used or unused, carried by the visitor as presents or parcels for other persons, must be declared.

For more information on requirements on temporary entry of materials and personal belongings, please check the customs requirements at https://www.rsl.org.ls.  

Health

Medical facilities and overall care in Lesotho are limited.  Vitality Health Lesotho provides ambulance service in cases of emergency. Specialist care is available in 90 miles west of Maseru in Bloemfontein, South Africa. U.S. Embassy Maseru maintains a list of physicians and other health care professionals, but the Embassy does not guarantee service or provide recommendations.

Many medicines are unavailable at facilities in Lesotho; travelers should carry an adequate supply of necessary medicines and/or prescription drugs, along with copies of their prescriptions. The 2024 UNAIDS report reflected Lesotho has a high HIV prevalence, currently estimated at 17.1 percent of the adult population between 15-49 years of age. Travelers should ensure they are aware of the associated risks and risk behavior. Additional information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Local time, business hours, and holidays 

The time difference between Lesotho and the Eastern Time Zone of the United States is seven hours during U.S. Standard Time and six hours during U.S. Daylight Saving Time. Businesses are open Monday through Friday, generally from 08:00 until 17:00. Some businesses close for lunch between 13:00 and 14:00. Banks are open weekdays from 09:00 to 15:30, and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:00.

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Travelers must declare all goods in their possession except for personal clothing, essential toilet articles, and used sporting equipment. To be free from declaration, these goods must be for the passenger’s personal use and not intended as gifts or to be sold, exchanged, or traded. All articles, used or unused, carried by the visitor as presents or parcels for other persons, must be declared.

For more information on requirements on temporary entry of materials and personal belongings, please check the customs requirements at https://www.rsl.org.ls.