Involves business processes and requirements for getting a construction permit and an occupation certificate/permit.
Electricity Connection
What this Covers and Why it Matters.
A new electricity connection allows your premises to be legally connected to the national grid operated by the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC). The Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA), which sets service standards and approves tariffs/charges regulates the process. LEC publishes a step‑by‑step New Connections Process with fees and turnaround times. This brief distills those investor‑critical steps and adds practical notes on compliance and timelines.
Legal and Institutional Framework
| Legal authority | Actors | What it means | Outcome |
| LEA Act / LEWA mandate; QoS & Supply Standards (see LEWA) | LEWA (regulator) | Sets time‑bound customer service standards for connections, approves tariffs/charges, and issues the Grid Code. | Enforceable timelines/standards for LEC’s connection services. |
| Distribution licence & LEC procedures (see LEC New Connection) | LEC (distribution/supply) | Runs the New Connection (or Reconnection) workflow: wiring test → survey → quotation → payment → service connection → commissioning → prepayment registration. | A live connection with a prepayment meter registered to your account. |
| Grid connection standards (see LEWA Grid Code) | LEWA (Grid Code) | Technical rules for planning, operation and connection to the grid (large loads, dedicated transformers, power quality, etc.). | Ensures safe, compliant connections for commercial/industrial loads. |
Process, Required Documents, Fees and Timelines.
| Step & process | Required documents (typical) | Fees (indicative) | Timeline (as published) | Where to apply / contacts |
| Step 1: Wiring test (before LEC survey) – licensed electrician submits forms and schedules inspection/test. | LEC Forms A & B; copy of passport/ID (customer). | No fee for wiring test (LEC stage). | Within 5 working days. | Through your electrician; see LEC New Connection. |
| Step 2: Apply for LEC survey – site visit to scope connection works (distance, service cable, transformer needs). | Wiring Test Certificate; passport/ID. | M100 (Domestic); M250 (Business). | Within 10 working days. | LEC Customer Service / Technical Services. |
| Step 3: Receive & sign quotation – costs reflect materials, distance and any dedicated equipment. | Application fee receipt (if any). | No fee | Quotation valid 60 days. | LEC counter/portal. |
| Step 4: Pay & schedule service connection – payment triggers construction/connection works. | Quote copy & receipt. | If quote = M2,000 → pay M500; if > M2,000 → pay 60% deposit (balance per terms). | Within 6 weeks of payment (deposit or full). | LEC (payment channels). |
| Step 5: Commissioning – LEC inspects and energizes the service; meter installed/programmed. | Advice Form (internal LEC), meter setup. | No fee. | Within 7 working days of step 4. | LEC Metering. |
| Step 6: Registration (prepayment account) – your account is created/updated for vending. | Completed Prepayment Advice Form. | No fee. | Within 24 hours. | LEC Prepayment. |
Electricity Commissioning Fees Snapshot (what typically applies)
- Survey fee: M100 (Domestic) / M250 (Business), payable to LEC at survey application.
- Connection payment terms: M500 if the quotation is M2,000; 60% deposit if > M2,000 (balance as specified in the quotation/terms).
- Energy tariffs: Ongoing consumption tariffs and certain charges are approved by LEWA (see the tariff summary below).
Electricity Tariffs Summary for 2025/26 – (effective 1 April 2025)
| Customer category | Energy charge (M/kWh) | Notes |
| Lifeline | 0.93 | Applies to qualifying low‑consumption domestic users (utility lifeline band). |
| Domestic (standard) | 2.08 | Typical prepayment domestic tariff. |
| General Purpose | 2.34 | Small business / general service. |
| Commercial & Industrial (LV) | 0.37 | Low‑voltage business/industry energy rate (demand charges apply separately). |
| Commercial & Industrial (HV/MV) | 0.34 | High/medium‑voltage large customers (plus maximum‑demand charges). |
| Street lighting | 1.22 | Public lighting services. |
| Maximum‑Demand charges (monthly): | ||
| LV: | M455.88/kVA | |
| HV: | M390.30/kVA |
Source: LEWA- Approved Electricity Tariffs & Charges
Practical Notes for Investors
- Use a licensed electrician to pass the wiring test promptly; incomplete Forms A/B or non‑compliant wiring will delay the survey.
- Distance drives cost and time. Quotes reflect proximity to the existing network and materials – early scoping with LEC reduces surprises.
- Plan for six weeks post‑payment for the service connection, then 7 working days for commissioning and 24 hours for prepayment registration.
- For industrial/multi‑tenant sites, consult LEC on capacity needs (three‑phase, dedicated transformer) and review the Grid Code requirements.
- LEWA’s Quality‑of‑Service standards cover time frames for quotations and supply; use them to track provider performance.
Helpful Links
- LEC – New Connection (official step‑by‑step, fees & timelines)
- LEC – Transmission & Distribution (notes on customer‑connection activities & regulator timelines)
- LEWA – Quality of Service & Supply Standards (overview)
- LEWA – Tariff Applications (approved charges)
- LEWA – Grid Code (planning/operation/connection standards)
Water Connection
What this Covers & Why it Matters
A new water connection links your premises to the urban network operated by the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO). The Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) regulates service standards and approves water and sewer tariffs. WASCO publishes an official step‑by‑step connection process, with set survey fees, distance‑based connection charges, a security deposit, and indicative timelines. See WASCO’s Water Connection Process
Legal and Institutional Framework
| Legal authority | Actors | What it means | Outcome |
| LEA Act (as amended) & LEWA mandate (see LEWA – Quality of Service & Supply Standards) | LEWA (regulator) | Sets minimum service standards and approves tariffs/charges for urban water & sewer services. | Time‑bound standards for quotations and supply; enforceable service levels. |
| WASCO Codes & procedures (see WASCO – Water Connection Process) | WASCO (utility) | Runs the new‑connection workflow: enquiry → survey → quotation → payment → connection → meter & account activation. | A live, metered supply registered to your account. |
| Tariff schedules (see WASCO – Tariffs) | LEWA (approval) / WASCO (publication) | Publishes volumetric tariffs per kilolitre, standing charges by customer type, and sewerage charges. | Transparent pricing and predictable monthly standing charges. |
Process, Required Documents, Fees and Timelines
| Step & process | Required documents (typical) | Fees (indicative) | Timeline (as published) | Where to apply / contacts |
| Step 1: Visit WASCO customer care & confirm reticulation – staff check if your area is served (e.g., do neighbours have connections?). | Customer ID (passport/ID). Location details for reticulation check. | No fee. | Same day enquiry. | WASCO Customer Care. See WASCO – Water Connection Process. |
| Step 2: Pay for survey & site assessment – establishes distance from the main and eligibility (<=150 m). | Customer ID; site directions/coordinates. | Survey fee: M50. | Quotation prepared immediately via GIS or within ~6 working days after survey. | WASCO Technical team (survey). |
| Step 3: Receive quotation – based on distance band to the main (1–150 m). | Survey receipt; ID. | Distance‑based connection fees * set hyperlink to fees below. | Quotation issued immediately or within the stated window; valid per WASCO terms. | WASCO Billing/Customer Service. |
| Step 4: Pay quotation & schedule works – payment triggers construction and meter installation. | Quote copy & receipt. | Pay full quoted amount (per WASCO schedule) + deposit if applicable. | Connection within ~10 working days where infrastructure is within 150 m. | WASCO Connections team. |
| Step 5: Commissioning & account activation – WASCO installs meter and activates your customer account. | Completed application; proof of payment. | No fee at commissioning step (connection fee already paid). | Typically within a few days of work completion. | WASCO Metering & Billing. |
Water Commissioning Fees Snapshot (distance bands & deposits)*
| Item | Basis / amount | Notes / link |
| Survey fee | M50 | Source: WASCO – FAQ & Process |
| Connection fee (1–25 m) | M1,500 | Source: WASCO – Water Connection |
| Connection fee (26–50 m) | M2,500 | Source: WASCO – Water Connection |
| Connection fee (51–100 m) | M3,500 | Source: WASCO – Water Connection |
| Connection fee (101–150 m) | M4,500 | Source: WASCO – Water Connection |
| Security deposit | M75 | Source: WASCO – Water Connection |
| Sewer connection fee (1–30 m / 31–90 m) | M3,000 / M4,560 | Source: WASCO – Sewer Connections |
Water Tariffs & Sewerage Charges Summary for 2025/26 (published August 2025)
| Customer category | Water volumetric (M/kl) | Standing charge (M/month) | Sewerage (if applicable) |
| Domestic – Band A (0–5 kl) | 6.11 | 0.00 | Water‑borne billed at 85% of water used @ 9.85 M/kl; non‑water‑borne @ 65% @ 9.85 M/kl |
| Domestic – Band B (>5–10 kl) | 10.39 | 49.82 | |
| Domestic – Band C (>10–15 kl) | 18.29 | 49.82 | |
| Domestic – Band D (>15 kl) | 25.24 | 49.82 | |
| Non‑Domestic – Industries/Business/Govt | 16.64 | 479.17 | If sewered: billed as above |
| Non‑Domestic – Schools/Churches | 16.49 | 331.73 / 239.64 | |
| Public standpipes | 8.29 | 0.00 | Sewer N/A |
Source: LEWA – Approved Water Tariffs & Sewerage Charges
Practical notes for investors
- Maximum draw distance is 150 metres from the main; beyond this, reinforcement may be needed and quoted separately.
- Keep proof of payment and survey results; they’re needed for scheduling and meter activation.
- If your facility also needs sewer connection, apply in parallel to save time; sewer is billed at 85% of water consumed (if water‑borne).
- LEWA’s Quality‑of‑Service standards set timelines for quotations and supply; reference them if you experience delays.
Helpful Links
- WASCO – Water Connection Process (official)
- WASCO – Tariffs (water, standing charges & sewer)
- WASCO – F.A.Q. (survey fee & distance bands)
- WASCO – Sewer Connections (fees & notes)
- LEWA – Quality of Service & Supply Standards
- e‑Regulations Lesotho – Pay water connection fees (procedure step)
Telecoms Connection
What this Covers & Why it Matters
A telecoms connection provides fixed broadband (fibre or fixed‑wireless), mobile voice/data lines and enterprise services to your premises. The sector is regulated by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), which licenses operators, manages numbering and spectrum, and enforces quality‑of‑service and consumer protection rules. Two unified operators – Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) – provide national services, with additional licensed network and service providers, and ISPs including Leo Lesotho, Starlink Lesotho, Comnet Lesotho, Jenny Lesotho, etc This brief explains how to get connected for business, with steps, documents, indicative fees/timelines and practical notes – based on the two main operators.
Institutional and Legal Framework
| Legal authority | Actors | What it means | Outcome |
| Communications Act, 2012 (see LesLII) | LCA (regulator) | Only licensed providers may offer communications services; LCA regulates licences, numbering, spectrum, QoS and consumer protection. | You contract with a licensed operator and receive regulated service standards. |
| LCA – list of licensed providers (see LCA – Telecommunications) | Vodacom Lesotho; Econet Telecom Lesotho; Network/Service licensees incl. LEC Communications, Starlink Lesotho, etc. | Confirms who is authorised to supply fixed/mobile/broadband services in Lesotho. | Choose a provider based on your needs and coverage, product and SLA. |
| SIM Card Registration Regulations, 2021 (see LCA – SIM regs (PDF)) | Operators; customers (KYC) | All SIMs must be registered to a verified identity (KYC) with data‑protection safeguards. | Your corporate mobile lines must be registered before activation. |
| Type approval requirements (see LCA Type Approval overview) | LCA; importers/vendors | Telecom/Electronic equipment connected to networks may require LCA type approval. | Use compliant devices/CPE to avoid delays at import/activation. |
Internet Connection Options for Business
| Option | What you get | Typical use cases | Notes / example links |
| Fibre to the Business (FTTB) | Fixed broadband via fibre with business‑grade speeds/SLA. | Offices, retail parks, hotels, medium‑large enterprises. | Example: Vodacom Fixed Solutions; |
| Fixed Wireless (LTE/5G) | Wireless broadband using LTE/5G CPE at premises. | SMEs where fibre not yet available; backup/rapid deploy. | Examples: Vodacom Fixed Wireless; |
| Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) | Symmetrical, uncontended bandwidth with SLA; may require fibre build. | Large offices, factories, data‑intensive operations. | Example: ETL Fixed (Business) |
| Mobile voice/data packages | Corporate post‑paid and bulk data for workforce devices. | Sales force, field teams, IoT/SIMs. | Example: ETL Mobile Data |