18 Jun 2026

Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane calls for stronger cooperation between Botswana and Lesotho in transforming the mining sector through value addition, saying the true potential of minerals lies beyond extraction.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the inaugural session of the Botswana-Lesotho Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone on June 18, Mr Matekane said the two countries must leverage their mineral resources to create industries, jobs and sustainable economic opportunities.

 “Mining has long been a dividing sector of our economies, yet its true potential lies not merely in extraction, but in value addition,” he said.

Prime Minister Matekane said Lesotho’s diamond industry and Botswana’s globally recognised mineral wealth presented opportunities for collaboration in diamond cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing, mining governance and technology transfer.

“By joining hands, we can expand cutting, polishing and jewellery manufacturing, while also sharing expertise in mining governance, sustainability and technology transfer,” he said. 

Furthermore, Mr Matekane said Botswana and Lesotho could unlock greater economic opportunities by combining their strengths in industrialisation, agriculture, trade and investment.

 Lesotho’s manufacturing capabilities in textiles, agro-processing and diamond beneficiation, together with Botswana’s strengths in mining and livestock, he said provided a foundation for building integrated value chains.

 “By working together, we can move beyond exporting raw materials and instead build integrated value chains that create jobs and open new markets across the region and beyond,” Mr Matekane said. ENDS