LESOTHO’S inaugural Hydrogen and Digital Future Conference starts this Thursdayat the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru.
Dubbed Metsi ke Bophelo Water, the two-day seminar is among other things expected to explore ways in which Lesotho can harness its water resources and build a digital hydro economy to help its efforts to combat climate change and build a greener and more sustainable world.
The organisers said the event would also explore how best to harness Lesotho’s abundant water resources to build a hydro based sector to power different economic initiatives.
The Natural Resources ministry will work with South African company, Mitochondria Energy on the project.
The project is also enjoy the support of Senamati Holdings, Nexus Water Alchemy, Masetau Consutling Engineers and ReNoka (we are a river).
The expo will cover topics such as:
- What are the water hydrogen endowments for Lesotho?
- What does Lesotho as a sustainable digital hydronation look like, what is needed, who can help and what role does governance, transparency and accountability play?
- Is there need for new legislation, policy and tools?
- How the nexus will contribute towards Lesotho’s quest for food sovereignty.
In a his preliminary remarks on Wednesday, King Letsie III said the goal was to replicate the founding monarch of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe I’svision of making Lesotho a great nation.
“King Moshoeshoe I had a vision to unite disparate tribes into one nation. We too, myself and the Prime Minister, have a vision to make Lesotho a sustainable digital hydronation,” King Letsie said.
“The conference will be a watershed event meant to transform our Kingdom into a model nation, true to its heritage bequeathed to us by our founder, King Moshoeshoe I.
“I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to lead this nation towards a thriving prosperous future and development rooted in innovation and to build it on its amazing natural endowments.”
In a Wednesday statement, Prime Minister Sam Matekane said their intention was for every Mosotho to benefit from the economic drive. He said it was a vision built on a spirit of inclusiveness.
“The next two days herald a pivotal period of transition to this amazing Kingdom of ours.
“We have publicly declared that we do not want to be labelled and categorised as a least-developed nation, a label we have carried since 1971. We now want to be known for who we are: a sustainable digital “hydronation”.
“I invite you to participate and contribute your thoughts, ideas and solutions which will catapult Lesotho into one of the fastest growing economies in the world and that will be a model of a sustainable digital hydronation,” Matekane said.
