A national State of disaster has been declared in Lesotho over the country’s “high rates of youth unemployment and job losses” as uncertainty over US tariffs strikes the nation.
When they were announced by US President Donald Trump in April, the South African nation was hit by higher tariffs than any other country, 50%.
Lesotho’s State of disaster would be in force until the end of June, 2027, Nthomeng Majara, Deputy Prime Minister said.
Official figures reveal that, unemployment in Lesotho has risen above 25% but the rate is virtually 50% for the young ones.
In line with the country’s Disaster Management Act, the declaration would make way for the state to “take all necessary measures to… minimise the effects of disasters” among others.
Lesotho emerged one of the biggest beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States (US).
AGOA gives favourable trade access to some countries to promote the growth of their economies.
Lesotho and the US traded goods worth $240m (£187m) in 2024, mostly exports from Lesotho to the US, in particular textiles and clothing.
However, that stopped when President Trump imposed a 10% tax on Lesotho, alongside other nations, earlier this year. The additional 50% was suspended.
