Shelile Highlights Market Challenges Despite China’s 0% Tariff on Lesotho’s Goods
Written by Mohale FM on October 2, 2025
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development Honourable Mokhethi Shelile, says that although China has decided to impose zero tariffs on Lesotho’s exports, the real challenge lies in market access.
Responding to a question about Lesotho’s trading opportunity with China, he explained that while agricultural products and wool are among the goods Lesotho can export to China, the country remains largely dependent on China for imported goods.
He also pointed out that Lesotho is one of the African countries that has greatly benefited from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) — a U.S. law that allows selected African countries to export goods to the American market without paying tariffs.
Shelile warned that if AGOA is not renewed — as it has expired on September 30, over 12,000 jobs and 11 factories in Lesotho could be directly affected.
