Sebabatso 2025: Lesotho Celebrates Its Brightest Young Innovators

December 8, 2025

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MICSTI) and the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MGYSD), successfully hosted the third cohort of the Sebabatso Youth Empowerment Initiative, a flagship initiative by the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Lesotho.

Sebabatso is the Prime Minister’s Youth Empowerment Initiative designed to identify, nurture, and support Lesotho’s brightest innovators and entrepreneurs. The programme consists of two streams: Innovators, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), and Entrepreneurs, supporting small business ideas with high growth potential.

This year, the initiative received over 3,000 applications from all ten districts. A panel of national experts selected 300 participants to attend an intensive one-week business training bootcamp, covering financial literacy, pitching, branding, marketing, business development, and strategies to scale ideas into sustainable enterprises. During the bootcamp, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Jacqueline Olweya, Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Hon. Pitso Lesaoana and Minister of ICSTI, Hon. Nthati Moorosi, visited the participants to encourage them to explore opportunities beyond Sebabatso, including UNDP’s UniPod and Timibuktoo initiatives.

Following the training, participants pitched their ideas to a panel of adjudicators. 63 innovators and entrepreneurs were selected to advance to the next stage, where they presented during a five-day conference in front of industry experts and a live audience.

The conference concluded with the award ceremony, where 30 young people received grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to further develop their businesses. This was a special 3^rd year for the Sebabatso Initiative as UNDP is also celebrating 60th anniversary. In honour of this millstone, the Prime Minister announced that all 63 finalists would represent Lesotho at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2025 in Madagascar, fully funded by the Government, Partners and UNDP. The event was graced by high-level dignitaries, including the Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara, HRH Princess Senate Seeiso, Minister Hon. Pitso Lesaoana, Dr. Jacqueline Olweya and other cabinet ministers.

Delivering his keynote address, Prime Minister Hon. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane expressed immense pride in Lesotho’s youth:
"Over the past five days, we have witnessed the blossoming of ideas, the forging of new paths, and the unwavering drive of our nation’s youth."

The Prime Minister announced Lintle Mosasa from Quthing and Mosa Sixishe from Thaba-Tseka as the top winners, each receiving M90,000 and certificates, and urged all awardees to use their funds wisely. Other awards included 20 entrepreneurs receiving M18,000 each, innovators placing Top 3 to 5 receiving M45,000, and the Top 2 innovators receiving M54,000 each.

Group on stage holding an oversized check at a 60th anniversary event, with a blue backdrop.

Among the top achievers was Kopanang Makhele, one of two deaf innovators in the Top 6, who shared his vision:
"I feel honored to have been awarded. My goal is to develop an app that allows people with disabilities to communicate freely. Deaf users will use sign language, and the app will convert it into voice or text messages."

Sebabatso’s impact extends beyond financial support. This year, 63 young people will represent Lesotho at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, joining over 1,000 leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across the continent. Dr. Olweya emphasized the initiative’s role in empowering youth as doers, not just dreamers, equipping them with resources, networks, and skills to drive sustainable development. She highlighted a significant increase in applications from 800 in 2023 to over 3,000 in 2025 with female participation rising from 33% to 47%, and submissions from persons with disabilities increasing from zero to 62.

Prime Minister Matekane closed the event with a call for collective responsibility:
"It takes a family to raise a child. Likewise, it takes a united nation to raise, support, and empower its youth. Sebabatso is not just about funding businesses it is about raising the next generation of leaders who will drive the economy of Lesotho forward."

Sebabatso 2025 stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when innovation, mentorship, and national vision converge to empower young people and shape Lesotho’s future.