Dubai–Lesotho trade talks: Dubai Chambers meets Lesotho prime minister in Johannesburg
Dubai Chambers meets Lesotho PM Sam Matekane to boost Dubai‑Lesotho trade and investment, targeting logistics, infrastructure and the new digital economy.
High-level meeting in Johannesburg
Dubai Chambers held high-level talks with a Lesotho delegation led by Prime Minister Sam Matekane in Johannesburg, focusing on strengthening Dubai‑Lesotho trade and investment ties. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a Dubai Chambers trade mission to South Africa and brought together senior officials, including the deputy CEO for international relations at Dubai Chambers, Salem Al Shamsi, and the UAE’s ambassador to South Africa and non‑resident envoy to Lesotho, Saeed Al Hamli. Participants discussed practical steps to widen commercial engagement, attract investment and open new channels for business collaboration. The gathering signalled renewed interest from both sides in turning diplomatic goodwill into concrete economic partnerships.
Prime Minister Matekane calls for a Dubai‑Lesotho business forum
Prime Minister Matekane urged the establishment of a Dubai‑Lesotho Business Forum to showcase investment opportunities and foster direct links between business communities. He highlighted Dubai’s expertise in logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy as models Lesotho can study and adapt to support national development. The prime minister’s proposals emphasised a platform that would allow private and public sector representatives to map joint ventures, investment pipelines and partnership frameworks. Officials said the forum would serve as a focal point to promote projects, share best practices and expedite deals.
Dubai Chambers pledges to expand investment and trade cooperation
Salem Al Shamsi, deputy CEO for international relations at Dubai Chambers, underlined the organisation’s commitment to deepening commercial ties with Lesotho. He said Dubai Chambers would work to broaden the scope of trade and investment exchanges and to facilitate greater private‑sector contact between the two economies. The chamber intends to help companies identify partner firms, investment-ready projects and sectoral niches where Dubai expertise can add value. Al Shamsi framed the cooperation as a mutually beneficial effort designed to create new opportunities for businesses and investors on both sides.
Priority sectors identified: logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy
Delegates agreed that logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy are priority areas where Dubai’s experience can directly support Lesotho’s development goals. Dubai’s role as a global logistics hub and its investments in transport and supply‑chain infrastructure were cited as blueprints for improving connectivity and trade facilitation. At the same time, officials pointed to digital platforms and e‑services as catalysts to expand market access and increase efficiency across sectors. The meeting explored how targeted projects — from freight links to digital payment systems — could be structured to attract private capital and technical partnerships.
Meeting linked to Dubai trade mission to South Africa
The discussions were held during a Dubai Chambers trade mission to South Africa, part of a broader push to support Dubai‑based firms seeking growth in the region. The mission aims to help Emirati companies explore market entry, establish local partnerships and identify investment prospects across the Southern African market. Organisers said engagements like the Lesotho meeting are intended to complement the mission’s bilateral agenda by opening additional channels for cooperation with neighbouring countries. The approach aims to create a network effect: using Dubai as both an investment origin and a convening platform for regional business initiatives.
Officials outline next steps and coordination mechanisms
Following the meeting, officials agreed to pursue concrete follow‑ups, including planning arrangements for the proposed Dubai‑Lesotho business forum and preparing sectoral briefings for potential investors. Dubai Chambers will reportedly work with Lesotho counterparts to map priority projects and compile lists of private‑sector contacts for matchmaking. Participants signalled intent to explore technical cooperation, capacity‑building programmes and regulatory dialogues to smooth cross‑border investment. While no formal timeline was announced, both sides committed to keep channels open and advance discussions through working groups and delegations.
The Johannesburg talks mark a tangible effort to translate diplomatic engagement into business outcomes and to broaden Dubai’s commercial links across Southern Africa. By prioritising logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy, the two sides aim to create investable opportunities that can deliver jobs, improve connectivity and support sustainable growth. Continued coordination between Dubai Chambers and Lesotho authorities will determine how swiftly the proposed forum and follow‑up projects move from concept to execution.