Lesotho
Capital: Maseru
Population
About 2.36 million (2025 estimate)
Area
Approximately 30,355 km²
Bordering Countries
1
Overview
Southern Africa, landlocked; completely surrounded by South Africa
Lesotho, the "Kingdom in the Sky", is a mountainous landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. It relies heavily on its neighbor for trade, transport, and employment, with apparel manufacturing and remittances as key economic sectors.
Bordering Countries: South Africa
Economic Profile
Primary Exports
Garments, diamonds, water, textiles
Key Industries
Agriculture, livestock, manufacturing (apparel), mining, remittances
Main Trade Partners
US, South Africa
Economic Challenges
High unemployment, poverty, heavy reliance on imports for food and fuel, climate vulnerability
Trade & Transit Infrastructure
Main Transit Corridors
Fully dependent on South African road and rail networks
Key Border Crossing Points
Several crossings with South Africa
Port Access
South African ports (Durban, etc.)
Transport Infrastructure Quality
Road networks challenged by mountainous terrain; ongoing investments
Trade & Transit Challenges
Complete dependence on South Africa, mountainous terrain, high transport costs
Key Statistics & Indicators
National Trade & Development Strategies
Focus on economic diversification, strengthening manufacturing, improving agricultural productivity
Ongoing and Planned Projects
Apparel sector support, water resource management (Lesotho Highlands Water Project), road upgrades, health programs