The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Lesotho, launched the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) on 6 August, marking a significant step in advancing the country’s efforts to integrate technology and innovation into its human development agenda. The report, themed “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” builds on the global discussions initiated earlier in Brussels. It explores how the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is transforming societies, economies, and human interactions, while emphasizing the need to balance innovation with inclusivity and ethics.
During the launch, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Retselisitsoe Matlanyane highlighted Lesotho’s journey since the first Global Human Development Report in 1990. She noted that Lesotho has produced three national Human Development Reports focusing on areas such as human security, poverty reduction, food security, and youth empowerment. Dr. Matlanyane underscored that the 2025 HDR offers groundbreaking analysis of key development issues and serves as a powerful advocacy tool for inclusive national progress. She reaffirmed that Lesotho’s recent development review identified technology and innovation as essential pillars for sustainable growth.
Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Nthati Moorosi, praised the report for centering the human dimension of digital transformation. She stressed that in an increasingly AI-driven world, the ability to make choices remains fundamental to human development. Hon. Moorosi highlighted the report’s message that digital inclusion is critical, warning that the real divide of the future will depend on how effectively AI enhances human potential. The report also draws attention to persistent inequalities between rich and poor nations while encouraging countries to collaborate with AI, focusing on people-centered rather than technology-centered development.
UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Taye Amssalu commended the Government of Lesotho for its leadership in promoting digital transformation and innovation-friendly policies. He emphasized that digital transformation must reflect the needs and aspirations of the people, ensuring that no one is left behind. Mr. Amssalu called for digital inclusion that reaches even the most remote communities, reinforcing that technology should be a tool for empowerment and opportunity.
The 2025 Human Development Report provides a comprehensive roadmap for building human, institutional, and regulatory capacity to ensure that AI benefits everyone. It highlights the importance of balancing technological progress with inclusion, equity, and sustainability, positioning digital transformation as a force for shared prosperity. The launch also featured a panel discussion bringing together representatives from government, academia, the private sector, civil society, and youth organizations. Experts from institutions such as the Ministry of ICT, Computer Business Solutions, the National University of Lesotho, and Sky Alpha shared insights on how to advance inclusive digital growth. The event concluded with a shared commitment to fostering a people-centered digital future for Lesotho.
