Lesotho moves from AI policy to national strategy and digital infrastructure planning

Lesotho is developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and a Data Centre Blueprint as part of efforts to put its recently adopted AI policy into practice. The work was discussed during a five-day workshop held in Maseru from 17 to 21 August 2026, organised by the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation in cooperation with the United Nations in Lesotho.

The initiative follows the completion of Lesotho’s Artificial Intelligence Policy and its accompanying implementation plan. The policy, published on 17 August, establishes the country’s broader approach to the development and use of AI. The new strategy is intended to build on that framework by identifying more specific priorities, actions and mechanisms for implementation.

From policy to implementation

The development of the national strategy represents the next stage in Lesotho’s AI policy process. Rather than establishing new principles, the strategy is expected to translate the objectives of the AI Policy into a more detailed national roadmap.

Discussions during the workshop focused on how AI can be developed and adopted within Lesotho’s existing institutional and economic context. The process also considers the partnerships, skills and resources that would be needed to implement the country’s AI priorities.

The work builds on activities that began in 2025, when Lesotho started developing its broader AI governance framework.

Planning the infrastructure for AI

The workshop also addressed a separate but related issue: the development of a Data Centre Blueprint. Data centres are facilities that house the computing equipment and other infrastructure needed to store, process and manage digital information.

For AI systems, this infrastructure can be particularly important because developing and running advanced applications can require significant computing capacity and reliable connectivity. Lesotho’s blueprint is therefore intended to examine the infrastructure requirements associated with the country’s wider digital and AI ambitions.

The process is also expected to identify a roadmap for the proposed data centre, including potential partnerships and implementation priorities.

Building capacity alongside infrastructure

The strategy and data centre planning are being developed alongside wider efforts to strengthen Lesotho’s capacity to use AI. This includes considering the institutional and technical capabilities needed to support implementation of the AI Policy.

The government’s approach therefore combines three elements: establishing a policy framework, developing a strategy to implement it, and planning the digital infrastructure required to support AI-related activities.

The August workshop marked a step towards connecting these elements and determining how Lesotho’s AI priorities can be translated into concrete national programmes.