Sebabatso alumni undergo digital entrepreneurship training

Rethabile Pitso

TEN young entrepreneurs who graduated from Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s flagship youth empowerment programme, Sebabatso, this week completed a three-day digital entrepreneurship training programme in Maseru.

The training was conducted through a partnership between American Corner Maseru and Sebabatso, with participants drawn from youth-led businesses that had previously completed Sebabatso incubation programmes.

American Corner Maseru is part of the State library operated by the American Embassy in Lesotho.

Sebabatso is Mr Matekane’s flagship youth empowerment initiative, launched in October 2023 to tackle youth unemployment by supporting young Basotho entrepreneurs and innovators. Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lesotho and the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, the programme provides participants with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, funding opportunities and access to international markets.

According to American Corner Maseru, the group forms the first cohort of 60 participants expected to undergo the training over a six-month period. The programme will be delivered in groups of 10 participants at a time.

The training, held from Monday to Wednesday, focused on e-commerce and artificial intelligence (AI), equipping participants with skills to improve marketing strategies and expand their businesses using digital platforms.

Delivering the keynote address, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Tom Hines, said the initiative was designed to help Sebabatso-supported entrepreneurs adapt to a rapidly changing technological environment.

“Several months ago, we began discussions with the Prime Minister’s Office on how we could strengthen the Sebabatso programme in this era of technological transformation. Together, we designed a course that will help these entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level,” Mr Hines said.

He said AI and e-commerce were creating opportunities that were unimaginable a few years ago and could help connect local businesses to global markets.

“Our goal is to help young Basotho become successful creators, innovators and business owners. Participants will learn how to build and manage online stores using technologies such as Shopify and utilise AI tools to grow their businesses. These are not just technical skills but pathways to economic empowerment,” he said.

Mr Hines said entrepreneurship and technology-driven businesses would play an increasingly important role in addressing youth unemployment in Lesotho.

He added that the programme seeks to expose participants to cutting-edge American technologies while helping them position their products more strategically in the marketplace.

“Imagine a generation of Basotho innovators selling products beyond their communities and creating jobs for others. That is the vision driving this initiative,” Mr Hines said.

Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Pitso Lesaoana, welcomed the inclusion of AI in the programme, saying the skills would help local entrepreneurs compete with their peers internationally.

“I am impressed that this training focuses on AI and digital platforms. In many international conferences I have attended, young people have consistently highlighted AI as a key area of opportunity. Seeing this training taking place here confirms that we are moving in the right direction,” Mr Lesaoana said.

Speaking on behalf of the Sebabatso Steering Committee, the Prime Minister’s Press Attache, Thapelo Mabote, said the partnership reflected the vision that inspired the creation of the Sebabatso programme.

He said Mr Matekane had prioritised the welfare and empowerment of women and youth from the beginning of his administration, leading to the establishment of the programme.

“It is encouraging to see the programme continue to grow through partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, and the American Embassy through American Corner Maseru. These collaborations are creating meaningful opportunities for young people and for the country,” Mr Mabote said.

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