What You Need to Know
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development in Lesotho has officially launched the 2026 National Quality Awards during a press conference in Maseru. The awards aim to recognize excellence in various business categories, with the ceremony scheduled for January 28, 2026. Application forms will be available across the country, with a submission deadline of January 12, 2026.
Africa-Press – Lesotho. The MinisterY of Trade, Industry and Business Development held a press conference today in Maseru to officially launch the 2026 National Quality Awards.
In his speech, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mr Mokhethi Shelile, announced that the Awards Giving Ceremony will take place on 28 January 2026.
He said the awards will recognize different categories of businesses, including Best Product of the Year, Best Exporter of the Year, Best Service Provider of the Year, Best Individual Contributor of the Year, and Company of the Year.
He explained that the awards had been paused for some time due to financial challenges, which were later worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the Ministry has realized the importance of reinstating the awards in order to motivate and uplift the spirits of businesses in the country.
He further stated that application forms for those who wish to participate will be available at the Ministry of Trade offices in all 10 districts of Lesotho. The deadline for submission of the completed forms is 12 January 2026.
The National Quality Awards in Lesotho were established to promote excellence in business practices and recognize outstanding contributions from various sectors. However, the initiative faced interruptions due to financial constraints and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered the ability to hold the awards in recent years. The reinstatement of these awards reflects the government’s commitment to supporting and motivating local businesses in a challenging economic environment.
As the economy recovers, the Ministry of Trade aims to uplift the spirits of entrepreneurs and foster a competitive business landscape. By recognizing achievements in different categories, the awards seek
