The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Lesotho are looking to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) academy as part of a strategic push to strengthen relations in digital transformation and AI development.
According to the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, minister Nthati Moorosi held a bilateral meeting with Aissata De, deputy regional director for the Regional Bureau for Africa at the organisation’s headquarters in New York, USA.
The meeting highlighted the significant progress achieved through the collaboration between Lesotho and the UNDP Country Office, particularly in advancing the nation’s innovation and sustainable development agenda.
A central focus of these talks was the evolution of Lesotho's current innovation model into a broader acceleration framework inspired by the Timbuktoo initiative.
Timbuktoo is recognised as the world's largest initiative designed to support Africa's innovation ecosystem and spark a start-up revolution across the continent. This billion-dollar initiative aims to transform the diaspora from a consumer of technology into a global producer by supporting 10,000 youth-led start-ups.
Under this model, Lesotho’s digital ecosystem will benefit from a structured network of University Innovation Pods and thematic hubs, such as those for agritech and healthtech, designed to bridge the gap between initial research and commercial venture capital.
The UNDP also commended minister Moorosi for the notable progress achieved under her leadership, particularly in fostering entrepreneurship and digital skills.
The organisation reaffirmed its continued commitment to supporting Lesotho’s national priorities, ensuring the Mountain Kingdom is positioned as a competitive player within Africa’s rapidly evolving tech landscape
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