Lesotho’s road infrastructure is in a state of crisis, and experts warn that unless urgent reforms and innovation are embraced, the country will remain stuck with poor roads that hinder economic growth and public safety.
This was the message at the heart of a media briefing in Maseru ahead of the inaugural Road Construction and Building Material Expo, scheduled for May 6–7, at Maseru Club.
The event is expected to be a critical gathering point for policy-makers, engineers, suppliers, and innovators determined to chart a new course for Lesotho’s ailing road network.
According to Teboho Mokhoane, Director General of the Roads Directorate, Lesotho’s road system requires over M25 billion to reach acceptable standards, M15 billion of which is needed just to upgrade existing roads from poor to good condition.
“Our tarred roads are in fair condition, but overall, our road infrastructure ranks as poor,” ‘Makhoane said.
“We need an investment of at least M2 billion annually for the next seven to nine years to make a real impact.”
Yet beyond the budget figures lies a deeper issue: the road sector is outdated, under-resourced, and environmentally unsustainable. The industry still relies heavily on depleted quarry pits, while soaring haulage costs and unregulated material markets are placing major projects at risk of becoming unaffordable.
The upcoming Expo is not just a trade show, it is being positioned as a strategic intervention. With traditional road-building methods becoming less viable, the event is seen as a launch pad for modern solutions, smarter policies, and more sustainable practices.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Neo Matjato Moteane, said the Expo would bring together local and regional players to rethink how roads are built and maintained in Lesotho.
“We are witnessing the exhaustion of traditional construction materials, and the long distances to alternative sites are pushing up project costs,” he said.
“We must now ask harder questions about sustainability, pricing practices, and innovation.”
One concern raised by the Ministry is the commercialisation of potential quarry sites by private firms. These companies, often aware of upcoming government projects, purchase quarries along likely road routes, then sell the materials to contractors at a premium, driving up public construction costs.
“This kind of speculative behaviour distorts the market and hurts taxpayers,” Moteane said.
“We need transparent, fair access to raw materials, and stronger regulation to stop this from becoming the norm.”
A core focus of the Expo will be on alternative construction materials and smarter maintenance techniques, areas where Lesotho is lagging behind. In many countries, recycled plastics, synthetic aggregates, and cold-mix asphalt are already being deployed to extend the lifespan of roads and reduce environmental impact.
Lesotho, by contrast, continues to rely on manual, labour-intensive methods that are no longer fit for purpose, especially in the face of climate change and increasing urbanisation.
The Roads Directorate says the Expo will help close this innovation gap by showcasing live demonstrations of new products and processes. A second-day showcase will offer space for manufacturers and suppliers to present their materials in action, something that has not been done before in Lesotho.
Beyond construction, officials stress that Lesotho’s road infrastructure challenge is also a social and economic issue. Poor roads isolate rural communities, disrupt education and healthcare access, and undermine trade and investment.
“This isn’t just about concrete and bitumen. It’s about mobility, opportunity, and dignity for Basotho,” said Moteane.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
