What do you hope will be the outcome of this conference?
It is my hope that this conference will increase the cooperation between Africa and the United States. The United States is more advanced in technology and by attending a meeting such as this and meeting with these technology companies Africa can adopt some of these technologies to help with its energy needs.

What percentage of the population in Lesotho has electricity?
About 3 percent have continuous supply of electricity. It takes about a thousand dollars to connect electricity to one home in a rural community.

How do you generate electricity?
From hydroelectric sources only.

In what ways can the United States help with Lesotho energy issues?
By United States energy companies’ wiliness to invest in Africa.

What are some of the energy issues in Lesotho?
We do not have available funds to produce hydroelectric power to the whole country. Another alternative on the large scale will be wind power because it is cheaper. More energy can be generated from wind power with the input of energy generated from wind than by thermal energy with the use of oil as input.

What plans does your government have concerning energy issues in Lesotho?
The government wants to use solar power and biomass to generate electricity to the whole country especially the rural areas.

What do you hope to achieve from this meeting?
To get to meet people, look at the technology available and to invite investors to invest in these energy fields.

Do you think Lesotho is stable enough to convince foreign investors to invest in your country?
Lesotho is very stable. Policies and declarations are a framework on which changes can be made. There has been a great change and improvement in the last few years in terms of accountability and stability.

interview by Mavis Donkor of iNet News