Baku, Azerbaijan – Lesotho urged stronger international backing to expand digital inclusion during the World Telecommunications Development Conference 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation Nthati Moorosi addressed global ICT leaders, calling for support in affordability, electricity access, digital skills, and emerging technologies for vulnerable economies including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.
Minister Moorosi reported that Lesotho now achieves over 95 percent mobile network coverage and has introduced satellite broadband to reach highland communities. She noted that the country’s National Computer Security Incident Response Team is fully operational and recently won the SADC Cyber Drill, reflecting improved cybersecurity readiness.
Lesotho’s Community Digital Inclusion Model continues to train women, youth, and the elderly in digital skills, while innovation programs expand participation in the digital economy. She also outlined progress under the National Digital Transformation Strategy, including the Schools Connectivity Programme, which has mapped over 1,800 schools and connected 245 to the internet, and the rollout of digital public infrastructure such as a MOSIP-based digital identity system and national e-services platform.
During her address, Minister Moorosi called for global partners to support affordable devices and data, reliable electricity, strong digital skills development, and fair access to computing resources. She also encouraged the ITU and development partners to deepen support for interoperable digital infrastructure, expand advanced skills training for youth, and explore innovative financing to bring connectivity to remote areas.
The WTDC-25 brought together ministers, regulators, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity and chart the next four years of global digital transformation.
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