KEPSA, led by the KEPSA Foundation Chairperson Mr Patrick Obath, was part of the Kenyan delegation that met the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane during his visit to Kenya on 8^th December 2023 at a Nairobi hotel. The meeting sought to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities in the Kingdom of Lesotho and engage on how bilateral relations can be leveraged.

“Kenya’s advancements in technology and innovation stand as an inspiration for Lesotho. We aspire to collaborate and learn from various fields to propel our growth forward. We recognize Kenya’s robust manufacturing sector and aim to explore avenues for partnership and knowledge exchange, leveraging Kenya’s expertise to further develop and diversify our own manufacturing capabilities in Lesotho,” said Prime Minister Ntsokoane.

Speaking during the meeting with Prime Minister Ntsokoane, Mr Obath highlighted that in 2019, Kenya and Lesotho signed three key pacts that aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation between the two nations, which has brought forth results. In addition, he pointed out that in the last 20 years, the exports of Kenya to the Kingdom of Lesotho have increased at an annualized rate of 32.3%, from $3.44k in 2001 to $922k in 2021, with the key sectors of focus being agriculture and textiles, healthcare, renewable energy and sports.

“Lesotho and Kenya have a history of cordial relations, as evidenced by the signing of three agreements during a state visit by Lesotho's Prime Minister in 2019. This suggests potential for further collaboration in various areas. These opportunities demonstrate the potential for partnerships and investment in the Kingdom of Lesotho, offering a diverse range of sectors for businesses and investors to explore,” said Mr Obath.

The Lesotho Prime Minister noted that people-to-people linkages are essential in the Lesotho-Kenya partnership while highlighting the discussions on deepening cultural ties and working together in areas such as tourism promotion. Mr Ntsokoane reiterated the commitment of the two nations to working together in promoting the manufacturing sector, which provides a key avenue for growth. 

In the meeting, Mr Anthony Mwangi, CEO Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), mentioned the progress Kenya has made in the manufacturing sector that opens an avenue for collaboration to spur growth. “The textile and apparel manufacturing presents an opportunity for Lesotho to collaborate and learn from Kenya while also leveraging Kenya’s access to international markets to strengthen export potential and access broader markets,” he concluded.

The business forum concluded with an intent set to expand partnerships in manufacturing and apparels along other sectors and to benefit from alternate capacities and experience. The Lesotho Prime Minister also invited kenyan business leaders to invest in Lesotho for mutual economic growth.