Africa (Europe Brief News) – Lesotho declared a national disaster (July 2025–June 2027) over 50% youth unemployment. Trade issues with the US, droughts, and job losses may cost 40,000 jobs, says Minister Shelile.
As BBC News reported, Lesotho is dealing with a major employment crisis and has declared a national disaster. The country is facing high unemployment, especially among young people, and trade problems with the United States are making things worse. With a population of just over 2 million, Lesotho has nearly 50% youth unemployment and 30% general unemployment.
Deputy Prime Minister Ntboreng Maiara announced that the emergency status will be in place until June 30, 2027. This allows the government to quickly provide funds and take urgent actions to help the country recover. Some government departments have already started by removing business registration fees for small and medium-sized start-ups to encourage new businesses and create jobs.
What is driving Lesotho’s youth job crisis and trade struggles?
According to officials, the declaration follows Lesotho’s Disaster Management Act, which allows the government to take all necessary steps to reduce the social and economic effects of the crisis.
Lesotho’s economy is struggling after facing tough trade actions. In April 2025, the United States put a 50% tax on goods from Lesotho. This was the highest tax in any country.
Although the tax has been stopped for now, it affects Lesotho’s main export: clothes. Lesotho sent $240 million worth of goods to the US in 2024, but now those exports are in danger. Lesotho had used a trade program to grow its clothing industry and create jobs, especially for women and young people. But now, with uncertain trade rules and less help from the US, Lesotho is trying to protect its economy from more problems.
Lesotho is facing a tough time with many problems. Even though a big tax on its goods to the US was stopped, there’s still a 10% tax. A trade deal called AGOA might not continue, and US buyers are worried.
Lesotho’s Trade Minister says this is affecting businesses and could cost 40,000 jobs. The US has also stopped giving money for important programs. Officials mentioned that this is making things worse for Lesotho, which is already dealing with the effects of COVID-19, job losses, and climate change.
In July 2025, the government declared a new state of disaster to address rising unemployment among young people, which will last until June 2027. Political analyst Dr. Tlohang Letsie says that although US taxes make things harder, the main reason for this decision is the ongoing problem of young people not having jobs, even after they finish school.
Before this, Lesotho was also dealing with a food crisis for 8 months, with about 700,000 people facing extreme hunger because of droughts. Economic analyst Thabo Qesi noted that the combination of problems, such as unstable trade, agricultural failures due to climate change, and fewer jobs, has led to more crime, including break-ins and robberies.
