On the 3rd, December 2025, the MaZero team hosted a follow-up stakeholder engagement session led by Technologies for Economic Development (TED) in partnership with the National University of Lesotho – Energy Research Centre (NUL-ERC). The event brought together key national institutions helping shape the future of transport and clean energy in Lesotho, including the Department of Energy, GET.Transform, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the Lesotho Meteorological Services.
The purpose of the meeting was simple but powerful: to work together on building a transport system that moves Lesotho closer to “Zero” greenhouse gas emissions, zero pollution, and zero reliance on fossil fuels. And through the MaZero Project, this future is beginning to take shape faster than many people realise.
Core Points
Department of Energy – An EV Policy for Lesotho
In its opening remarks, the Department of Energy emphasized the urgent need for Lesotho to strengthen expert insights and develop a clear way forward for the national Electric Vehicle Policy and regulatory framework, highlighting that a structured, informed approach is essential for a smooth and just transition to e-mobility. This policy will guide how electric cars enter the country, how charging stations will be developed, and how safety standards and incentives will be implemented, ultimately creating the rules of the road for Lesotho’s e-mobility future.
NUL – Energy Research Centre – Making E-Mobility Understandable
One of the major highlights of the event was ERC’s introduction of the MaZero E-Mobility Skill-Building Programme, the first programme in Lesotho designed to give everyday people, students, technicians, and professionals a strong foundation in EV technology and help them understand what the shift to e-mobility actually means in practical terms. This programme is trend-setting for Lesotho. It creates a new pathway for young people to gain technical skills, explore business opportunities, and become part of the growing green economy in the transport sector.
The programme offers easy-to-follow modules covering:
- how EVs work,
- how batteries charge and perform,
- different types of charging stations,
- the climate benefits of EVs,
- business models for charging services,
- and gender-inclusive approaches to mobility planning.
Lesotho Meteorological Services – E-Mobility as Climate Action
LMS showed how switching to EVs will help Lesotho cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and contribute to our global climate commitments. This is where the Ma“Zero” vision comes in: the more EVs we adopt, the closer we get to zero emissions transport.
GET.Transform – Designing an E-Mobility Roadmap
GET.Transform shared a big-picture view of Lesotho’s future E-Mobility Roadmap. This roadmap is being shaped by lessons from other African countries where EV markets are starting to grow. It will help Lesotho build a plan that is realistic, affordable, and suitable for our conditions.
Status on the Ground
Even though we are early in the journey, the country is already making concrete progress:
- Lesotho currently has only three electric vehicles and one of them is under the custodianship of NUL-ERC through the MaZero Project.
- Five electric scooters are arriving soon, expanding the demonstration fleet that will help Basotho experience EVs firsthand.
- Solar panels installation are underway at the Roma and IEMS campuses, forming the backbone of two upcoming solar-powered charging stations.
- Discussions are underway between HIRUNDO Wind Energy and Lerotholi Polytechnic to establish training pathways for EV maintenance; an essential step in building local expertise.
These are not ideas. They are real steps already in motion and they show that e-mobility in Lesotho is slowly becoming a reality, all thanks to the MaZero collaborative project.
MaZero is an energy project of national importance, it is a platform where Lesotho can test, learn, and build the future of transport. Through its leadership in technical training, research, and innovation, NUL-ERC continues to help Lesotho move closer to a future with fewer emissions, cleaner air, and more modern transport options for all.
