- Provides nationwide 4G/LTE, fibre and ADSL connectivity
- Pioneers mobile money services for Lesotho’s unbanked population
Company Profile: Econet Telecom Lesotho
Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) was established following the merger of Telecom Lesotho and Econet Ezi-Cel in April 2008. The acquisition by Econet Wireless International—founded in 1993 by Strive Masiyiwa—brought majority ownership, while the Government of Lesotho retained a 30% stake. This paved the way for unified fixed and mobile services under a single licence overseen by the Lesotho Communications Authority.
Since then, ETL has developed into a full-service telecom provider offering high-speed internet via fibre, ADSL on fixed lines, and 4G/LTE nationwide. The company also supports mobile commerce through EcoCash, serving both unbanked and under-banked communities with affordable mobile money solutions. Fixed-line services cater to homes, SMEs and large enterprises across Lesotho.
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Econet Telecom Lesotho’s Service Evolution
As part of the Econet group, ETL benefits from experience and technology sharing across African markets. Its commitment to high-speed internet responds to growing demand for bandwidth in sectors such as online education, telemedicine and banking. However, it also faces challenges common across the continent: rugged geography complicates fibre deployment, while unreliable power and limited infrastructure pose ongoing hurdles.
Innovations like EcoCash have helped address financial inclusion. Inspired by mobile money success in neighbouring Zimbabwe, ETL’s platform integrates SMS and app-based transactions, reaching underserved rural communities. Industry-wise, operators across Africa are increasingly adopting mobile-first strategies to bypass gaps in traditional banking infrastructure.
