Lesotho’s road construction industry must embrace innovative materials, technologies and construction methods as conventional sources of road-building materials become increasingly scarce and expensive, the Director General of the Roads Directorate, Linehella Ntšere, has said.
Ntšere made the remarks ahead of the Roads Construction Materials EXPO, which is scheduled for October 14 to 16, 2026 and will bring together government, road agencies, contractors, consultants, suppliers, manufacturers, researchers and academia.
The three-day event will feature conference presentations and stall exhibitions aimed at sharing knowledge, showcasing emerging technologies and creating opportunities for collaboration within the road construction sector.
Ntšere said the EXPO comes at a time when the industry is facing increasing pressure from the depletion of conventional sources of aggregates, gravel, suitable soils and other materials used in pavement construction.
According to him, materials that were once readily available are becoming more difficult and costly to source because of continuous extraction, development and growing demand. The commercialisation of construction materials, coupled with the cost of transporting suitable materials over long distances, is also pushing up road construction costs.
“This presents a challenge to the sustainability and affordability of road construction and maintenance programmes and requires us to think differently about how we construct and maintain our roads,” Ntšere said.
He said the industry could no longer depend exclusively on traditional materials and construction methods when their availability was becoming increasingly constrained.
Instead, he called for greater exploration and testing of alternatives such as improved soil stabilisation, alternative binders, recycled materials, geosynthetics and modified bituminous materials.
However, Ntšere cautioned that innovation should not mean adopting new products simply because they have worked elsewhere.
He said new technologies must demonstrate technical suitability, durability, economic viability and environmental sustainability under Lesotho’s own conditions.
Ntšere stressed that research must accompany innovation, arguing that technologies that perform well in other countries may produce different results under Lesotho’s climate, geology, traffic and environmental conditions.
He said the Roads Directorate, research institutions, universities, consultants and industry players should work together to test and validate new technologies locally.
The assessment of innovative solutions should, among other factors, consider technical performance, durability, cost-effectiveness, constructability, environmental impact and long-term maintenance requirements.
“Our approach should therefore be to move from innovation based on claims to innovation based on evidence,” he said.
The EXPO is therefore expected to serve as more than a showcase for new products. Ntšere said the ultimate objective was to move promising technologies from exhibition stands into laboratories, pilot projects and eventually practical application where they are proven successful.
He said demonstration projects would be particularly important in building confidence among road agencies, consultants and contractors.
For local contractors, Ntšere said exposure to new technologies could provide opportunities to reduce construction costs, improve productivity, address shortages of suitable materials and reduce transportation distances.
It could also improve the quality and durability of roads while helping contractors develop new technical capabilities and compete for more specialised projects.
He encouraged contractors to use the EXPO to engage directly with technology providers rather than merely viewing the products on display.
“Ask questions, engage with technology providers and identify solutions that can be practically applied in Lesotho,” he said.
Consultants, he added, could benefit from gaining access to a wider range of engineering solutions and material options, particularly where conventional materials are unsuitable, unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
The interaction between consultants, manufacturers and technology providers could also improve understanding of the design requirements, limitations and appropriate applications of emerging products.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Neo Matjato Moteane said the EXPO comes at an important time for Lesotho’s infrastructure sector, with the Roads Directorate allocated M1.861 billion for the expansion and asset recovery of the country’s road network.
He said government was also focusing on airports and other ports of entry, while energy projects were creating additional opportunities for Basotho to participate in the growing infrastructure sector.
Moteane described the Construction EXPO, Exhibition and Conference as a platform that brings together the different players in construction and infrastructure development.
Reflecting on last year’s inaugural event, he said it provided an opportunity for buyers to meet suppliers, innovators to meet consumers and teachers to interact with students.
He said the event also bridges the gap between government ministries and parastatals responsible for decision-making and contractors and suppliers responsible for implementation.
For young Basotho considering careers in the construction industry, Moteane said the EXPO could expose them to the wide range of professions supporting the sector, including architecture, electrical work, insurance, bricklaying, paramedic services and specialised areas such as yellow plant operation.
Ntšere said innovation in road construction could generate economic benefits beyond individual infrastructure projects.
Where suitable local alternatives exist, reducing dependence on imported materials and technologies could help retain more value within the domestic economy.
He said the development of local expertise could create opportunities for small and medium enterprises, manufacturers, material suppliers, local businesses and skilled professionals.
Moteane similarly called for stronger cooperation between government and the private sector, particularly in improving access to finance for local contractors.
He said partnerships should continue beyond the EXPO and help local contractors complete projects on time and to the required quality.
“Government and the private sector must work hand in hand to help this sector grow,” Moteane said.
The Roads Directorate chief also highlighted the growing importance of sustainability in road construction.
He said the industry needed to reduce its consumption of natural resources and environmental impact while maintaining technical performance and value for money.
Innovative approaches could enable greater use of marginal or locally available materials, recycling of existing materials and reduced transportation of construction materials over long distances.
He said the EXPO should ultimately encourage partnerships that result in research, pilot projects, demonstrations and implementation.
“No single institution can solve the challenges facing the road construction industry on its own,” Ntšere said.
He urged technology providers and manufacturers to bring credible and tested solutions, while contractors and consultants should remain open to trials and demonstrations.
Academic and research institutions, he said, should strengthen collaboration with industry, while road agencies should share experiences so that successful innovations can be scaled up.
For Ntšere, the measure of success will not simply be the number of products displayed or presentations delivered during the three-day event, but the partnerships created, technologies tested, knowledge shared and innovations eventually implemented on Lesotho’s roads.
“The ultimate objective is not simply to construct more roads, but to construct better, more durable, cost-effective and sustainable roads,” he said.
Moteane, meanwhile, linked the development of the construction industry to one of Lesotho’s biggest socio-economic challenges – unemployment.
He said government and industry must work together to create lasting opportunities, arguing that government alone could not address unemployment or build the infrastructure and economic opportunities the country needs.
The Roads Construction Materials EXPO will therefore seek to position innovation not as a replacement for proven construction practices, but as a means of finding more affordable, durable and sustainable ways of building and maintaining Lesotho’s road network.
Summary
- Lesotho’s road construction industry must embrace innovative materials, technologies and construction methods as conventional sources of road-building materials become increasingly scarce and expensive, the Director General of the Roads Directorate, Linehella Ntšere, has said.
- Ntšere said the EXPO comes at a time when the industry is facing increasing pressure from the depletion of conventional sources of aggregates, gravel, suitable soils and other materials used in pavement construction.
- “This presents a challenge to the sustainability and affordability of road construction and maintenance programmes and requires us to think differently about how we construct and maintain our roads,” Ntšere said.
Senior journalist and communications professional with extensive experience in general news reporting, specializing in business and sports journalism. Skilled in public speaking, media relations, and strategic communication, with a proven ability to deliver accurate, engaging, and impactful stories.
A strong team player who thrives in collaborative environments and adapts effectively to diverse working conditions. Passionate about continuous learning, professional growth, and enhancing communication practices to meet evolving industry demands.
