Econet Telecom Lesotho concluded its fourth annual Econet Expo with a celebration of the partnerships shaping Lesotho’s digital future and a significant commitment to its young people. Close to M1 million was raised in contributions and pledges for Higherlife Foundation Lesotho during the combined Expo Closing and Econet Golf Day Awards Ceremony on Friday, 30 October 2026.

The evening brought together esteemed partners, stakeholders, exhibitors and golfers to recognise achievements across technology, connectivity and education. It marked the culmination of four days of engagement at Maseru Mall under the theme “Think AI. Think Econet.”

For Econet, these achievements share a common purpose: helping Basotho access the connections, tools and opportunities they need to progress.

Network excellence as a foundation for progress

Econet’s digital ambitions are underpinned by continued investment in its network  infrastructure. Econet’s recent recognition as Lesotho’s Fastest Mobile Network, verified by Ookla® Speedtest®, marks an important milestone in this important journey.

For customers, network performance matters in everyday moments: a learner accessing educational resources, an entrepreneur responding to orders, a family staying connected or a business serving its customers through digital platforms.

In his remarks, Econet Telecom Lesotho’s CEO Mr Dennis Plaatjies reaffirmed the importance of dependable connectivity, alongside continued investment in the systems behind its services. He acknowledged the expertise and teamwork involved in the company’s recent successful billing system upgrade, highlighting the ongoing responsibility to improve customer experience.

Together, these investments support Econet’s ambition to make digital services more useful and accessible across Lesotho.

Making innovation relevant to Lesotho

Now in its fourth year, the Econet Expo brought industry, educational institutions, businesses and the public together to explore how emerging technologies can respond to local needs.

Exhibitions, demonstrations and panel discussions created opportunities to engage with artificial intelligence, education, cybersecurity and digital financial services. Visitors could ask questions, experience solutions and consider their application at homes, classrooms and workplaces.

The theme, “Think AI. Think Econet.”, also carried a responsibility: helping people understand AI, develop relevant skills and assess where it can improve productivity and services while retaining human judgement and accountability.

Mr Plaatjies encouraged partners to carry the conversations beyond the exhibition floor into practical work – identifying challenges, testing solutions and measuring whether they improve people’s lives.

The Expo also reflected the breadth of Econet’s digital ecosystem. Connectivity, EcoCash financial services and EcoSure protection offerings address different needs, while contributing to greater participation in the economy and helping customers manage their everyday lives.

Partnerships built on inclusion and trust

In his closing remarks, the CEO of the Lesotho Communications Authority Mr Nizam Goolam congratulated Econet and its partners for creating a platform where industry, educational institutions and the public could engage with the possibilities of technology.

The remarks reinforced the importance of meaningful digital inclusion: ensuring that people have affordable access, suitable devices, relevant skills and the confidence to use digital services.

Cybersecurity, consumer protection and Child Online Protection were also highlighted as shared responsibilities. As digital services and AI become more widely used, cooperation between Government, regulators, industry, educational institutions and communities will be essential to building trust and expanding opportunities.

The message was clear: the partnerships strengthened through the Expo should deliver practical benefits for the people they serve.

Nearly M1 million raised towards educational opportunity

That commitment to opportunity found a tangible expression through the Econet Golf Day.

Held earlier on Friday at Maseru Golf Club, the fundraising initiative brought golfers and partners together in support of Higherlife Foundation Lesotho. The evening’s awards ceremony recognised achievements on the course and inspired further generosity, with close to M1 million raised in contributions and pledges towards the HLF’s work.