Energy & Investment: Lesotho has signed a $6.2bn Project Kobong deal with Convalt Energy for a 1,200MW hydropower plant plus an AI data centre, aiming to shift the country from importing electricity to exporting it. Digital Economy: The Central Bank of Lesotho is pushing financial literacy in Quthing, highlighting the upgraded Lesotho Switch (LesSwitch) and the CBL Investment Portal to boost safer payments and investing. Digital Skills & Jobs: Lesotho’s MICSTI has started a digital studio at Makoanyane Square in Maseru, part of e-Government Phase II to train young people in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. Governance & Accountability: Government will hold a National Leadership Retreat (June 21–23) and an Accountability Summit (July 1–3) to improve service delivery and transparency. Financial Inclusion: A Lesotho delegation studied Uganda’s Emyooga microfinance model, focusing on SACCOs, savings, affordable credit and income generation for women and farmers. Policy & Elections: The IEC accepted a court ruling ordering reinstatement of four political parties, after deregistration disputes. Labour & Migration Risk (Region): South Africa’s proposed Employment Services Amendment Bill could fine employers up to R100,000 per undocumented foreign domestic worker, raising compliance pressure for households and businesses. Crime & Security (Region): Gunmen killed 12 people in an informal settlement near Johannesburg, with suspicions of links to illegal mining. Women & Food Security: Southern Africa’s Rural Women’s Assembly urged governments to put women smallholder farmers at the centre of food and climate policy to tackle hunger and shocks. Tech Rollout (Region): Google is expanding Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, including Lesotho in the supported locales list. Business Leadership (Region): Coca-Cola Beverages Africa appointed a new GM for Namibia, signalling continued investment in the bottler’s growth plans.