A team of Basotho software developers represented Lesotho at the United Nations Open-Source Week 2026, an international technology event held from 22 to 26 June at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, marking another milestone in the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The event brought together governments, technology experts, innovators, development partners and open-source communities from around the world to discuss digital public infrastructure, open-source innovation and global digital cooperation.
According to the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI), Mr Kanono Ramashamole, Lesotho’s participation was especially significant this year as MICSTI is among the co-hosts of the global event.
He said the co-hosting role reflects Lesotho’s growing recognition in international digital transformation efforts and demonstrates the country’s commitment to advancing open-source technologies and digital public infrastructure.
The Basotho delegation was led by the Director General of ICT at MICSTI, Mr Thapeli Tjabane, and it participated through a partnership between MICSTI and Vodacom Lesotho. The Vodacom Lesotho delegation was headed by Ms Rorisang Motlomelo.
Most of the participating developers were members of the Vodacom Software Factory initiative, while one participant represents the UNDP STEAM Programme. Mr Ramashamole said the collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships between government, the private sector and development partners in creating opportunities for young Basotho to gain international exposure and strengthen their digital skills.
He said the participation goes beyond symbolic representation, adding that it is intended to expose local software developers to global best practices, open-source communities and practical digital public infrastructure solutions that can be adapted to support Lesotho’s development priorities.
Mr Ramashamole further revealed that one of the expected outcomes of the engagement is the development of a national open-source policy and the establishment of a vibrant open-source community in Lesotho. He said this would create an enabling environment for developers, innovators, academic institutions, government and the private sector to collaborate on technology solutions that address national challenges.
He noted that open-source technologies provide countries such as Lesotho with an opportunity to develop digital solutions in a collaborative, cost-effective and sustainable manner while enabling local developers to contribute to global innovation.
The initiative aligns with Lesotho’s National Digital Transformation Strategy, particularly its focus on digital skills development, innovation, digital government, digital public infrastructure and youth participation in the digital economy.
Mr Ramashamole also acknowledged Vodacom Lesotho’s contribution through its Software Factory initiative in developing software engineering talent, while recognising the inclusion of a participant from the UNDP STEAM Programme as a demonstration of inclusive partnerships that expand access to innovation opportunities.
As the five-day event concluded, he described the participation of Basotho software developers as an important step towards positioning Lesotho not only as a consumer of technology but also as an active contributor to open-source solutions, digital public goods and the global digital economy.
He said the partnership between MICSTI, Vodacom Lesotho and development partners illustrate the benefits of linking national digital transformation with practical skills development, private sector innovation and international collaboration.
Source: Department of Information, PR UNIT
