Fifteen Basotho-owned apparel businesses will represent Lesotho at the All Fashion Sourcing Cape Town 2026 Exhibition next month, as government intensifies efforts to expand exports, create jobs, and strengthen the competitiveness of local fashion brands in regional and international markets.
The exhibition, scheduled for July 14–16, will bring together fashion designers, buyers, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, providing a platform for networking, market access, and business development.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Motlatsi Maqelepo expressed gratitude to the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and GIZ for their support through the Regional Value Chain Lesotho Plus (RVCL+) Project.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Lesotho National Development Corporation and the Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation in advancing industrial growth and enterprise development.
Through the RVCL+ initiative, more than 50 local companies have benefited from training, mentoring, export-readiness programmes, and market access support.
The project has helped businesses improve production standards, connect with potential buyers, and explore new export opportunities. It has also facilitated participation in international trade fairs, opening doors to strategic partnerships and investment opportunities.
Local entrepreneurs say the upcoming exhibition offers a significant opportunity to expand their businesses and gain valuable industry exposure.
Bold Couture’s Tebello Zacharia said participation in the event would expose local designers to new ideas, industry trends, and potential customers.
“We are grateful for this opportunity because it motivates us as entrepreneurs. It will expose us to new ideas and aspects of the industry that we may not have been aware of before. It will also help us grow our networks and connect with potential customers,” Zacharia said.
She added that international exposure would help Basotho fashion brands strengthen their market presence and build long-term business relationships.
Boikokobetso Sibolla of Insyd/Out Creatives said the exhibition would also enhance designers’ understanding of sustainability in fashion, particularly in the use of materials such as denim.
“This opportunity will help us better understand sustainability and how to work with denim in more creative and responsible ways. The exposure will strengthen our businesses and improve the quality of our work,” Sibolla said.
She noted that participation in international platforms encourages designers to scale up their operations and remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic global fashion industry.
The ministry said the textile and apparel sector remains one of Lesotho’s most important economic pillars, contributing significantly to employment, export earnings, and overall economic growth.
It emphasised that increasing the participation of local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is critical to strengthening industrial development, innovation, and value addition.
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local enterprises through strategic partnerships, policy interventions, and industrial infrastructure initiatives such as the Maseru Apparel Business Hub. Officials said these measures are aimed at building stronger, export-ready businesses capable of competing in international markets.
As Lesotho prepares for Cape Town 2026, the participation of 15 local apparel brands reflects a growing ambition to move beyond small-scale production and establish a recognised presence in global fashion supply chains, with Basotho creativity and entrepreneurship at the forefront.
