Maseru – The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has joined government officials, academics, industry representatives, development partners, innovators and students at the Digital Innovators Summit 2026, held at the National University of Lesotho (NUL).
The summit was held under the theme, “AI for Sustainable Energy: Powering Lesotho’s Digital & Green Future,” bringing together stakeholders to examine how emerging technologies can support sustainable energy and infrastructure development in Lesotho.
LHDA said the discussions reflected an increasingly connected future for the country’s infrastructure, where water and hydropower development are increasingly linked to artificial intelligence, renewable energy and intelligent infrastructure.
The authority said technology has an important role to play in determining how infrastructure is planned, constructed, operated and maintained, particularly as Lesotho seeks to strengthen the systems that support communities and the national economy.
For LHDA, the application of digital technologies is becoming increasingly relevant to the management of strategic water infrastructure.
The authority said managing infrastructure such as tunnels, reservoirs and turbines now involves a wider range of considerations, including data analysis, forecasting, predictive maintenance and climate resilience.
It also pointed to the potential for integrating water and hydropower systems with emerging renewable energy technologies as Lesotho develops its energy and infrastructure capacity.
The summit also provided a platform for discussions around the role of young Basotho professionals in shaping the country’s technological future.
LHDA said the participation of engineers, researchers, data scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators was important in converting emerging technological possibilities into practical solutions for national development.
The authority welcomed the participation of policymakers, development partners, academia, industry and students at the summit, saying the gathering created an opportunity to connect innovation with national priorities, investment, regulation and implementation.
LHDA said its support for the Digital Innovators Summit forms part of its wider engagement in discussions around technology, sustainability and national development.
The authority is expected to continue its involvement in the initiative, with the Digital Innovators Summit scheduled to move to Polihali in January 2027.
The January summit will take place at Polihali, where technological innovation will be brought closer to one of Lesotho’s largest infrastructure developments.
Leave a comment