Moroke Sekoboto
LESOTHO has made a strong impression at the 4th BRICS Youth Innovation Summit, walking away with two awards in a highly competitive global showcase.
The summit, held in Pretoria from 9 to 10 April 2026, brought together young entrepreneurs, innovators and policymakers from BRICS+ nations and across the Global South. It ran under the theme “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Sustainable Development and Global Prosperity.”
BRICS is an economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, while the BRICS+ framework extends participation to other emerging economies and partners.
Hosted at the Tshwane University of Technology, the summit focused on three key areas: sustainable development and green innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitisation, as well as agri-tech innovations for food security.
Participating countries included Lesotho, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Lesotho was represented by six young innovators selected through a competitive public call under Sebabatso, the Prime Minister’s Youth Empowerment Initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
The team included Itumeleng Makhooane and Rererile Kamohi (Sustainable Development & Green Innovation), Sebabatso Nkoe and Retšelisitsoe Mopara (Agri-Tech Innovations for Food Security), and Mopeli Mohale and Litšitso Morobi (Artificial Intelligence & Digitisation).
The delegation reflected balanced representation across all thematic areas, with equal gender participation, highlighting Lesotho’s commitment to inclusivity in innovation.
Competing against 40 participants, Lesotho achieved notable success. Mr Morobi emerged the overall winner in the AI and Digitisation category, while Ms Kamohi secured third place in the Sustainable Development and Green Innovation category.
Speaking at a press conference held in Maseru yesterday, the Minister of Youth, Gender and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, said the summit provided critical exposure for Basotho youth.
He said participants gained insight into international best practices, strengthened their innovation and entrepreneurship skills, and explored opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
“Youth are not just our greatest asset; they are the driving force of innovation and progress. Platforms like the BRICS Youth Innovation Summit give young people the space to turn ideas into impactful solutions,” Mr Lesaoana said.
He also said there was a need to move beyond inspiration by providing mentorship, protection and opportunities that enable young people to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr Morobi described the summit as a defining moment.
“The BRICS Summit was the highlight of my life. Beyond the results, I valued the opportunity to connect and engage face-to-face in today’s digital world.
“I was also humbled by how much people appreciated our culture. That made me even prouder to be Mosotho,” Mr Morobi said.
He added that the victory represented more than personal achievement.
“This win reflects what Lesotho is capable of in the technology space. It comes with a responsibility to help move our country forward and claim our place at the global table. This is only the beginning,” he said.