Lesotho is taking a new step in its digital transformation.
The Southern African country has become the first nation to implement the United Nations’ "Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies,” a framework designed to help governments move from strategy to concrete implementation. The government announced the move on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The ambition is clear: to enable the country to develop its own capabilities in artificial intelligence, data and computing power, while strengthening its ability to regulate and govern these technologies. Lesotho is seeking to avoid relying exclusively on technological solutions developed abroad.
The UN framework is designed to help countries identify their needs, set priorities and develop national strategies tailored to their economic and social realities. Guinea is expected to be the next country to begin the process.
A Strategy That Goes Beyond Data Centers
For Lesotho, developing artificial intelligence is not simply about building data centers. The country also wants to strengthen its access to computing power, data and specialized skills.
The kingdom already has several digital policies in place, a government data center and, since August 2026, a national artificial intelligence policy.
The next step will focus on implementing the first phase of the "National Compute Roadmap 2026-2029.” The roadmap is intended to guide the development of national computing capacity, taking into account requirements related to energy, water, financing and skilled human resources.
Infrastructure Designed to Meet Local Needs
The government also wants to ensure that technology investments remain closely connected to the country’s needs. Digital infrastructure is expected to address concrete challenges in strategic sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, water management and public services.
"Technology must be judged by its impact on people’s lives and its ability to leave no one behind,” said Amandeep Gill, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies.
This approach reflects Lesotho’s ambition to make artificial intelligence not only a technological priority, but also a tool for economic and social development.
A Process Backed by International Partners
The initiative follows a workshop held in Maseru from August 17 to 21, 2026, with support from the United Nations. Discussions focused on several key pillars of AI development, including computing power, energy, connectivity, data, skills and financing.
The workshop notably resulted in the development of a draft national roadmap for computing capacity.
The process brought together several UN agencies, as well as the World Bank and the OECD, with experts from Senegal, Ethiopia and Guinea also taking part.
While Lesotho intends to benefit from this international expertise, the government wants to retain control over its digital transformation.
The goal now is to turn strategic plans into concrete national capabilities, ensuring that AI addresses the country’s priorities and delivers direct benefits to its population.