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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eCommerce
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eCommerce in Lesotho is experiencing gradual growth, driven by increasing internet access, mobile penetration, and growing demand. While the sector is still developing it presents opportunities for businesses. The Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) provides legal framework on electronic funds. The Financial Institution Act of 2012, Payment Systems Act, 2014 and Payment Systems (Issuance of Electronic Payments Instruments) Regulations, 2017 are some of the legal tools governing electronic transactions. In 2024, the CBL launched the National Payments Switch (Leswitch) aimed at integration of various payment systems, including point-of-sale terminals, ATMs, mobile payments, and online platforms to enhance speed and reduce costs while promoting access to digital financial services across the country.  

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is not widely used in Lesotho; a small but growing percentage of the population has access to the Internet. For more information on e-payments contact the CBL at: paymentsettlements@centralbank.org.ls or visit their website: centralbank.org.ls. The Ministry of Communications has developed proposals for commerce to be more widely developed.  Electronic funds transfers are limited to $10,000 per transaction for transfers to local bank accounts; for external bank accounts the limit is $50 million. Lesotho’s digital economy readiness is assessed in the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Digital Economy Benchmark, where it ranks 9 out 16 SADC countries which reflects a moderate level of digital infrastructure and capabilities that support marketing activities.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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