Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

The mountain Kingdom of Lesotho like many countries is no stranger to disasters. The landlocked small state of 2.2 million people is continually buffeted by multiple shocks, primarily drought but also flooding, frost, hail and storms. The country was responding to a catastrophic drought as COVID-19 advanced into Sub-Saharan Africa in February 2020. This drought was so severe that the UN said it was ‘one step away from famine’ - highlighting the acute risk of compound shocks in Lesotho which jeopardize efforts to improve the lives of Basotho. In early 2021, still battling against the COVID-19 pandemic, Lesotho was hit by heavy rains that caused infrastructure damage, worsening the already critical situation.

Approximately three-fourths of Lesotho’s population relies on subsistence and small-farming agriculture for their livelihoods. Thus, Lesotho’s economy is very vulnerable to the increase in droughts and dry weather. Droughts and limits on the hydroelectricity sector have increased the amount of water-borne diseases. The United Nations Development Programme has begun to institute pilot projects that will help Lesotho navigate and help prevent desertification. Late onset of rains, below-average rains, dry spells, frost, and recurrent droughts are the most visible causes of hunger and malnutrition in the country. Well-below average rainfalls have resulted in deterioration of the pasture and livestock conditions while unending lean seasons have further reduced food reserves to drastically low levels, leaving affected populations in IPC Crisis-level food insecurity.

As with other countries in the Southern African Development Community region, the 2016 El Niño phenomenon provided impetus for Lesotho to introduce the IPC Acute Food Insecurity classification. The country committed to undertaking at least one analysis per year and has done so at district level for the whole country.

In 2016, Lesotho made a first attempt to integrate IPC into the Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis process chaired by the Disaster Management Authority. The Lesotho Vulnerability Committee (LVAC) undertakes an annual assessment that provides information for IPC analyses in the country. The IPC Technical Working Group forms a committee of LVAC and is composed of Government departments, UN Agencies (UNICEF, WFP and FAO) and a few NGOs, namely Care, Oxfam, Save the Children and Lesotho Red Cross Society.

Since the El Niño-induced drought of 2016, which resulted in increased food insecurity in the region, IPC results have been used to inform and respond to food insecurity in the country.

Though there has been increased effort to understand chronic food insecurity challenges in Lesotho, the country has yet to request for in-country IPC Chronic Food Insecurity analysis. The country will instead be undertaking IPC Acute Food Insecurity training and analysis in 2018. According to the results of the latest IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis, about 179,000 people (12% of the analyzed population in rural areas of Lesotho) are facing high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) in the current period from July to September 2021, and may require humanitarian action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihood and prevent acute malnutrition. All ten analyzed rural districts of the country have been classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) in the current period. From October 2021 to March 2022, around 312,000 people (21% of the analyzed population) are projected to be in IPC Phase 3. Seven of the analyzed districts are projected to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) in this period.

Although heavy rains destroyed some crops in January 2021, causing waterlogging in some parts of the country, Lesotho registered an improvement in crop production this year due to the good seasonal rainfall performance, after three consecutive years (2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20) of poor agricultural production. Crop production is expected to boost the economy to the moderate growth of 2.6%. The increase in crop production also resulted in improved household food access. However, some poorer households across Senqu River Valley and mountain livelihood zones are expected to experience food consumption gaps before the start of the projected period, which is normally the lean season in Lesotho. Prices of food remained higher than both last year’s and the five year average and are expected to remain high in the projected period.

Lesotho: Acute Food Insecurity Situation July - September 2021 and Projection for October 2021 - March 2022 | IPC Global Platform (ipcinfo.org)

Below-average agricultural production caused by recurrent drought, irregular rainfall, and poor economic conditions have heightened humanitarian need across Lesotho and limited the ability of many households to meet basic food requirements. Approximately 755,000 people—nearly 40 percent of Lesotho’s total population—across all ten districts of the country are projected to experience Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity through March 2021, according to data from the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee. Most aid organizations working in the country are declaring drought emergencies in the whole country with reduced national capacity to cope with hunger and malnutrition levels.

Lesotho has a fairly well established disaster management system, laid out in the National Disaster Management Plan supported the Disaster Management Act. The heart of the system is the Disaster Management Authority (DMA). Placed in the Office of the Prime Minister, and drawing its authority from the Disaster Management Act, DMA is responsible for planning, coordination and implementation of emergency and disaster response in the country.

As with every country globally, COVID-19 has dealt the economy of Lesotho a severe blow adding to the tragedy of the lost and impacted lives. A recession is expected from 2021 with the GDP projected to decline by 5.8 percent after years of a sluggish economy.

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile.

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Transport networks in Lesotho are dominated by road, which makes up more than 70 percent of domestic transport needs. Other modes include air and limited rail 1.5 km services, as well as ferry boats at river crossings, animal transport and pedestrian travel, especially in the sparsely populated highland areas. The movement is normally affected by the total shutdown of the borders between Lesotho and south Africa, with the slow in and out of the commodities.

Lesotho does not have its own silos where they store food, they rely purely on two millers, Lesotho Flour Mills and Maputsoe Millers (LEFCO).  The farmers normally experience post have lost when their commodities cannot be taken by the packers.

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response 

Government

The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) of Lesotho is tasked with preparedness for response to support the people of Lesotho in times of disasters whether natural or man-made, expected or unexpected incidents. To achieve this, the DMA is structured into five core working groups:

1. Health and Nutrition
2. Water and Sanitation
3. Training
4. Logistics
5. Emergency Services and Early Warning

 For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Humanitarian Community

IOM Lesotho, working in partnership with the Government of Lesotho, UN agencies, civil society, private sector and migrants, intends to contribute to the implementation of National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) II, LUNDAP (Lesotho United Nations Development Assistance Pan) as well as the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

FAO

The FAO in Lesotho supports vulnerable farming households through provision of agricultural inputs and training on Conservation Agriculture, Home Gardening and Nutrition.

UNFPA

UNFPA Lesotho concentrates on the following areas; Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Rights including Family Planning and Maternal Health, HIV Prevention, Gender Based Violence and Population Dynamics.

UNICEF

UNICEF's work in Lesotho is divided into the following programme areas: HIV/AIDS and Health/Nutrition, Education, Child Protection and Social Protection.

WHO

The mission of the WHO Lesotho Country Office is to promote the attainment of the highest possible level of health for all people living in Lesotho through collaboration with the government and other partners in health development and the provision of technical and logistic support to country programmes.

UNDP

The UNDP in Lesotho works in partnership with the Government and development partners to fight poverty, strengthen good governance, including the rule of law, human rights, promote gender equality, protect the environment and advance economic and social progress for all Basotho.

WFP

Works in partnership with the Government and international agencies to address Hunger and Food Security Issues under the SDGs 2 and SDG 17 respectively. UN WFP implement School Feeding in the Country.

UNAIDS

UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Partners In Health in Lesotho

PIH has worked in Lesotho since 2006, when they were invited by the government to support its response to the HIV epidemic. PIH’s work and programs in Lesotho have grown to include maternal health, child health, drug-resistant TB, mental health, non-communicable diseases and more, transforming care and health systems across the country.

World Vision International 

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. http://www.worldvision.org/

Mothers2mothers International

Mothers2mothers (m2m) is an African-based not-for-profit organization that is a leader in global efforts to create an HIV-free generation. Using a simple solution rooted in communities most affected by the pandemic, m2m's peer approach harnesses the personal experiences, local language, common culture, and infinite strength of women. m2m trains, employs, and empowers HIV-positive women from local communities who understand first-hand the social and cultural challenges facing HIV-positive and negative women who are their peers.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)

MAF pilots transport personnel and supplies related to clean water projects and well digging projects.

Action Aid USA

ActionAid is an international network building a just, equitable, and sustainable world in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of poverty and injustice

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List.

Lesotho Standards and Quality Assurance Department (LSQAS) 

The Standards and Quality Assurance Department of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing (LSQAS) has been the National Standards Body for Lesotho and an ISO subscriber member since 1 January 2000 and is the focal point for Standards and Quality issues. The legal framework to provide for establishment of standards, certification and related issues is still in the pipeline. No national standards have been developed to date and currently, the department is primarily concerned with awareness creation and promotional work.

Industries in Lesotho have traditionally relied on the South African Bureau of Standards for voluntary standards facilities and quality and assurance schemes. Lesotho exporters have developed their standards according to the technical quality requirements of importing countries and international standards. Lesotho participates in a regional program on Standardization, Quality, Accreditation and Metrology for SADC. The program aims to harmonize standards across all member states.

Ministry of Health 

The Ministry of Health has the mandate to lead and regulate all health matter in Lesotho. The MOH liaises with all international organisations on matter relating to health on behalf of the government of Lesotho. The ministry has a mission to provide an efficient and compassionate health care and social welfare system, with particular emphasis on the prevention and eradication of priority health and social welfare problems that are amenable to cost-effective interventions. There is need to implement a selective package of health and social welfare interventions that will bring maximum benefit to health and social welfare objectives, and strategies leading to the realisation of the vision viz. Health for all by the Year 2000.

Lesotho Communications Authority 

The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is a statutory body, established in June 2000, with the mandate of regulating the communications sector in Lesotho. This mandate entails: granting licences to all communications operators; promoting fair competition; approving tariffs; managing the radio frequency spectrum; empowering and protecting consumers; type-approving terminal equipment and other related responsibilities.

Department of Environment 

The DoE is the executive arm of the National Environment Council and the principal agency responsible for managing the environment and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. It falls under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. While the DoE is the sole legislated reviewer of EIAs, the Director of the DoE may delegate any of his/her functions to a line ministry, a Technical Advisory Committee (assembled for specific project reviews) or any public officer.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the control of the importation and exportation of agricultural products to/from Lesotho. When importing or exporting goods, foodstuffs or agricultural products you may be required to obtain the relevant permit and/or Sanitary/Phytosanitary certificates from the following departments. 

Lesotho | ASTI (cgiar.org) 

Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing

The mandate of the Ministry is to create and maintain a more equitable and enabling environment for industrial, agri-business and commercial development, through formulating and monitoring the implementation of appropriate commercial, marketing and industrial development policies and enforcing supporting legislation. Establishing institutional frameworks which promote foreign direct investment in terms of the country's commercial, marketing and industrial activities as well as fostering the global competitiveness of Lesotho' economy based on comparative advantage. (a) Through the One Stop Business Facilitation Center (OBFC), the Ministry participates in the export and import business facilitating the clearance of extra SACU exports and the issuance of import permits on some goods originating outside the SACU region. (b) Through the Department of Marketing the Ministry is responsible for issuance of import permits relating to some agricultural commodities, for protection of national markets against the international competitors.

Department of Traffic and Transport

Through its department of Traffic and Transport, the Ministry is a stakeholder in the import and export business, whereby the department issues permit for Southern African Regional Police Chief Co-Operation (SARPCCO) Clearance, deregistration of motor vehicles aimed for export to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country that relies on South Africa to access the international waters, through the Port of Durban. The country imports and exports 100% of its requirement through the Port of Durban. The Port of Durban, commonly called Durban Harbour, is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. It handles up to 31.4 million tons of cargo each year. It is the fourth largest container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere, handling over 3 Million TEU in annually. The port of Durban operates on a common user basis and consists of five business units managed by Transnet Port Terminals or TPT [formerly known as SA Port Operations (SAPO)] - Durban Container Terminal (Africa's busiest), consisting of Pier 1 Container Terminal and the main Durban Container Terminal on Pier 2.  The Durban Ro-Ro Terminal handles roll-on, roll off traffic (automotive) in addition to breakbulk cargo and a certain amount of containers. There is also a multi purpose terminal at Maydon Wharf Terminal which also handles containers.

There are a number of other terminals in the port which are managed and operated by private companies, including the Bluff Coaling Terminal known as Bulk Connections, the large Island View oil and petroleum complex, often referred to as the Cutler Complex or simply as Island View, the Fresh Produce Terminal at the T-Jetty and another fruit terminal at Maydon Wharf, the Sugar Terminal and Wood Chip Terminal on Maydon Wharf, SA Bulk Terminals (Rennies) on both Maydon Wharf and Island View in addition to a number of other private facilities mostly at Maydon Wharf.

Currently the only terminal in Africa with tandem lift cranes with a carrying capacity of 80 tons at a time, DCT can handle new generation vessels with 24 containers stowed across the deck. Billions have been set aside for the terminal's re-engineering and boosting of existing equipment fleet. In March 2020 Durban Container Terminal was the first terminal in TPT to pioneer the Truck Appointment System to ease to container and truck traffic on Durban roads.​

2.1.1 South Africa Port of Durban - Logistics Capacity Assessment - Digital Logistics Capacity Assessments (logcluster.org)

Overview

Key airport information may also be found at: http://worldaerodata.com/

The Kingdom of Lesotho has only one international airport, the King Moshoeshoe I International Airport ( the IATA: MSU, ICAO: FXMM) .The airport is situated in the town of Mazenod, 18 km (11 mi) southeast of downtown Maseru. 23 Department of Civil Aviation Lesotho 2013 LCA (Lesotho Kingdom Version 1.05 19/33). The runway length includes a 200 metres (660 ft) displaced threshold on Runway 04. The airport does not operate at night and no flights can therefore access Lesotho country after 6 pm. The Mazenod VOR-DME (Ident: MZV) is 2.0 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the approach threshold of Runway 04. The Beria non-directional beacon (Ident: ME) is 1.35 nautical miles (2.5 km) off the approach threshold of Runway 22.

The Aviation sector in Lesotho is regulated by the Department of Civil Aviation under the Public Works and Transport Ministry. The Department is tasked to provide for Control, Regulation and Development of Aviation in Lesotho and for other matters incidental in accordance to the Chicago Convention and the Transit Agreement – as enacted by the Country Aviation Act, 1975. ACT No 32 of 1975 p. 85 (Department of Civil Aviation, Lesotho, 2013). Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) operates as the service provider for airport operations. There are 19 Aerodromes / Airstrips owned by government and private entities in different parts of the country.

The Country observes all protocols and standards as per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) or the Chicago Convention and Transit Agreement. The capacity of Lesotho’s Aviation industry remains limited, due to its size, available funding and its position/location as it is entirely encompassed by South Africa.

The defunct Lesotho Airways was a wholly owned government airline that operated out of the Maseru Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU). In 1997, Lesotho Airways was privatised but has since gone moribund and ceased to operate. There is currently no domestic airline in Lesotho. The aviation industry is dominated by South African based companies, which control most of the flights that operate in Lesotho. There are very few Lesotho based companies, most which will rely on the South African market.

Maluti Sky owned by MGC Aviation Matekane Group of Companies went under in 2016 due to financial issues and limited market in Lesotho. Halsted’s Aviation Corporation, provides charter services, the company is based in Zimbabwe. SA Airlink – Airlink, dominates commercial flights in Lesotho, operating daily flights between Maseru and South Africa daily.

The Lesotho Defence Force has a limited capacity through its Airwings unit owns two fixed wing and one Helicopter Bell 412 model.

Aviation public entities include:

For more information on government agency and airport company contact information, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List.

Passenger information

2017

2018

2019

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

Airworthiness and Engineering Inspectorate

Airworthiness Inspectorate is a subdivision of Flight Safety Division responsible for the airworthiness of all aircraft within Lesotho airspace and Lesotho registered aircraft wherever they may be. The Department of Civil Aviation is responsible for registration of aircraft, certification of aircraft and maintenance organizations. Scheduled and unscheduled audits are conducted to ensure that all maintenance activities and aircraft are compliant with all airworthiness requirements. The airworthiness section also maintains an airworthiness library/records, where every manuals and documents for every type of aircraft registered in Lesotho are available. (http://www.civilair.org.ls/indexcabc.html?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=114)

Airworthiness requirements

Aircraft Inspections

Services provided by the Airworthiness Section with regards to aircraft inspection are as follows: Carrying out aircraft inspections for the purposes of issuing Certificate of Registration. Carrying out aircraft inspections for the purposes of issuing Certificate of Airworthiness (initial issue and renewal). Aircraft inspections can be carried out locally and internationally. Issuance of Export Certificate of Airworthiness, Issuance of Flight Permits to certificated aircraft, Aircraft Maintenance Organizations: The Airworthiness Section carries out technical audits (inspections) on Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMO's), as stipulated in The Air Navigation Regulations 1980 as amended, that organizations working on Lesotho registered aircraft be approved by the Director of Civil Aviation.

Detailed procedures for licensing of AMOs are laid down in Safety Directive number 23 (Licensing of Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul Organizations). The purposes of carrying out such inspections are: For initial issuance of maintenance approvals, For the renewal of such approvals, Ad hoc inspections to ensure that these organizations their work, capability and quality control comply with the requirements. Surveillance on the Aircraft Operator: As part of their mandate, the Airworthiness Section and Flight Operations Section have a   surveillance programme in place to ensure that aircraft operators comply with the applicable Civil Aviation Requirements.

The above is accomplished through: Carrying out both scheduled and unscheduled surveillance inspections Assisting Aircraft Operators with advice on how they can comply with provisions of Civil Aviation Requirements. Flight Safety Division: Airworthiness and Flight Operations whose main task is to ensure aviation safety in respect of personnel licensing, operations of aircraft and airworthiness of aircraft.

Airworthiness Records/library: Statutory Instruments concerning all aspects of documentations and manuals. The library/records also keeps various airworthiness directives from the manufacturers, the aircraft operators and the Civil Aviation Authorities.

• Airworthiness Directives
• Civil Aircraft Register
• Fees
• Forms and applications
• Manual of Procedures
• Licensing and Examinations
• Certificate of Airworthiness
• Appendix to the Issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness
• Certificate of Airworthiness
• Export Certificate of Airworthiness
• Special Flight Permit
• Noise Certification
• Aircraft Registration

Overview

The Kingdom of Lesotho has a largely rugged topography that has made development of road and other transport network a challenge. This has a significant implication for transport modes and accessibility throughout the country.  The creation of an integrated transport system remans central to the government’s infrastructure development program. The total road network in Lesotho is approximately 6906.26 kms in length of which 1798.76 kms are paved. The remainder is made up of 3830.52 km of gravel roads and 1276.98 km of earth tracks. Two agencies are responsible for management of the road network (Roads Directorate and the Ministry of Local Government (Urban and Rural)). Asset value of roads is 42 billion Maloti. Road maintenance technical needs was 2 billion Maloti (including administration, rehabilitation and maintenance) up to 2004 and has increased to 4 billion (include upgrading). Financing of maintenance is made through road fund consolidation and the GoL capital budget.

While passenger and cargo transport are provided largely by the private sector operator which includes buses, taxi and privately owned trucks, the Government provides a regulatory framework and policy to allow these industries to provide services. The Government is responsible for the Lesotho Freight and Bus Services which has been run down by inefficiency and poor management and been grounded. Due to challenging topography and infrastructure costs, some areas of the country do not have good roads network and there is no accessibility during bad weather, including rain and snow.

The Roads Directorate (RD) which is responsible for the regulatory framework and policy was established by legislation, Roads Directorate Act No. 16 of 2010 (through merging and restructuring former Roads Branch and Department of Rural Roads) to carry out road development and maintenance core functions of the road sub-sector. The changing needs of the economy and population of a country mean that strategies in any sub- sector need to be developed and regularly reviewed and updated as required. In democratic countries, the strategy review and development includes the views, knowledge and expertise of the role players in the sub-sectors.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Distance Matrix

The distances given below are from the capital city Maseru to major towns only and are over the most practicable routes; these are not necessarily the best or the fastest.

Road Security

In general, most roads within Lesotho are secure and transporters operate with few, if any, difficulties. There are no alarming cases of highway banditry and insecurity. Police patrols are visible and consistent along the main highways that link the main districts.

Driving is one of the biggest risks to personal safety and security. Vehicles traffic circulates on the left (keep left). Many vehicles are not roadworthy, and not all drivers are properly trained. The average speed limit in the cities is 50 km/hr and outside the city speed limit is 80 km/hr. However, most vehicle do not keep the speed limit. It is common to come up behind a vehicle moving at slower speed. Over speeding is also very common as the country traffic police do not have speed guns.

Other challenging factors include poorly lit roadways. Very few road signs on most of the highways. While many roads are in poor state of disrepair, inexperience and irresponsible drivers are also a great risk. All drivers should be aware of potholes and careless pedestrians, the presence of non-roadworthy vehicles plying the roads. The drivers frequently change the lanes into oncoming traffic without adequate viewing and caution. Street and traffic lights are frequently non-functional or nonexistence altogether.

The overall mission of the Ministry Transport and Communication is to formulate and monitor the implementation of appropriate, comprehensive and robust transport and construction sectors and maintain a dynamic and effective institutional and legal framework, which, provides an enabling environment for sustainable development of transport and construction industries and thus contribute to the achievement of the overall national development objectives.

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

The Ministry of Transport and Communication is yet to enact the Weighbridge and Axle Legislation. Since the neighbouring South Africa has Weighbridge legislation, most heavy vehicle in Lesotho Country will keep the maximum weigh applicable in South Africa. However this appears to have an impact on the Lesotho roads which are of lower capacity.

Source: https://lesothotradeportal.org.ls/kcfinder/upload/files/-%20Schedule%20No%201%20Part%203E.pdf

Road Reserve and Building Restriction Areas

To protect the investment in road building, a road reserve and, outside urban areas, a building restriction area should be located equally about the road centre-line, as shown in the table below

Note: The building restriction width includes the road reserve width. 

Of the total road network; the classified network is under the direct management of the Roads Directorate and is disbursed as follows per surface type:

Lesotho does not own any railway line in-country. The only railway line in Lesotho is the Maseru branch line, which connects the capital city Maseru to the railway network of South Africa via the Bloemfontein–Bethlehem line. The final 1.6 kilometres (1.0 mi) of this line, which opened on 18 December 1905, lies within the borders of Lesotho, running from the border bridge on the Mohokare River through the northern industrial district of Maseru to that city's station, the only railway station in the country.

There have been plans of building new railways to connect Lesotho to Durban and Port Elizabeth which have not been actualised or put in motion.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

A waterway is any navigable body of water and most rivers or water masses in Lesotho cannot therefore be classified as waterways. The waterway must allow for movement of goods and services that can ferry large vessels including ferries or large cargo and passengers’ boats. Rivers in Lesotho have less flowing water mass, since the country has created major water reservoirs in Katse and Mohale Dam. Dredged channels in the sea are not usually described as waterways. There is an exception to this initial distinction, essentially for legal purposes, see under international waters.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport owns and operates some ferryboats at river crossings. Private operators, working longer hours, complement these services.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Fuel Overview

The fuel services, provision and supply in Lesotho are dominated by the three listed companies. Shell Oil Lesotho (Pty) Ltd, Puma Energy and Engen Petroleum Lesotho (Pty) Ltd. These major companies are owned by South African companies. The country has encouraged private investment in fuel industry and no serious shortage of fuel have been experienced. There are however several hundreds of small unlicenced vendors providing fuel in the remote districts and towns.

The Petroleum Fund was established in 1955 prompted by the need to have fuel security in the country. The mandate includes:

• The stabilization of petroleum product prices when necessary,
• The stabilization of prices charged by oil companies on short-term basis,
• The purchase of petroleum products in times of crisis,
• The provision of national storage facilities for petroleum products when the need arises,
• The improvement of the distribution of petroleum products throughout the country,
• The improvement of safety at storage facilities,
• The research and studies pertinent to the petroleum sector; and any other energy project on loan basis.

The Petroleum Fund finances petroleum-related projects, to address the objectives of its enabling legislation which address, among others, the purchase of petroleum products in times of need; and the improvement of the distribution of petroleum products throughout the country. The Fund is committed to embarking on petroleum investments that will, not only ensure that there is the security of supply of petroleum products in Lesotho, but that investment opportunities are created for Basotho within the petroleum sector, including overall economic stimulation and job creation in the country.

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links:

http://petroleum.org.ls/

https://www.shell.com/about-us/contact-us/contact-lesotho.html

https://pumaenergy.com/en/

https://engen.co.za/

4.1 Government Contact List

4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List.

Fuel Pricing

Seasonal Variations