Regional Water-Energy Push: Botswana and Lesotho pledged to deepen strategic cooperation through a new binational commission, prioritising water and energy, trade and investment, agriculture and natural resource management, with plans for a Lesotho dam and Botswana hydropower plus a 5MW link and vaccine support. Industrial Policy & Jobs: Lesotho’s LNDC launched its “Letsema” 2026-2031 plan, targeting 50,000 net new jobs and 100 homegrown industrialists while aiming to break import dependence and “cut, make, trim” stagnation. Public Finance Accountability: The Auditor-General flagged CAFI as effectively stalled, with only 41% of its revised budget spent by March 2024, despite its mandate to boost private-sector competitiveness and financial inclusion. Energy & Transport Costs: The Petroleum Fund moved to clarify it does not supply petrol, but oversees pricing structures and monitors the supply chain as fuel costs keep pushing up transport fares and basic goods prices. Dairy Sector Governance: Lesotho’s National Dairy Board CEO suspension is headed to court, with questions now centring on hiring, recruitment process and pay. Infrastructure Rights: The Ombudsman criticised LHDA over displacement in Polihali, citing poor consultation, opaque compensation and failures to restore living standards. Youth Digital Skills: A new AI Skills Development Programme was launched to train youth enterprises in e-commerce and AI tools, building on the Sebabatso youth empowerment initiative.