Maseru – Today marked a milestone in Lesotho’s technology landscape as young Basotho developers and tech enthusiasts gathered for the country’s first-ever Development Festival, widely known as DevFest. The event brought together local and international developers to strengthen collaboration, inspire innovation, and build a thriving tech community.
Organised by the Google Developer Group (GDG) Lesotho, the festival served as a platform for learning, networking, and showcasing emerging talent. It featured expert speakers from various Google technology fields, giving participants exposure to global best practices and new opportunities within the digital economy.
Speaking at the event, Mafusi Ntsau, President of the GDG Lesotho Chapter, said the festival celebrates both developers and everyday consumers of Google products. She noted that DevFest is held annually between September and December across the world—making Lesotho’s inaugural participation a significant step toward global alignment.
Ntsau emphasised that the event unites experts from different spaces within the Google ecosystem, enabling the local community to explore tools and innovations essential for advancing technology-driven solutions.
She further highlighted the increased impact of ongoing capacity-building workshops from GDG and partner organisations—particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, digital skills, and women’s participation in tech. According to Ntsau, more women are now stepping into technical fields, a shift essential for inclusive development.
GDGs are local tech communities supported by Google. They provide a space where developers, students, tech enthusiasts, start-ups can meet to learn about Google developer tools, share ideas, and build projects.
GDG Lesotho began operating around 2020 and is currently based in Maseru. Ntsau encouraged other districts to adopt GDG activities to nurture talent nationwide, drive innovation, and broaden participation in the digital economy.
However, she also noted persistent challenges, especially limited digital literacy, which fuels negative perceptions about emerging technologies. Ntsau urged young people to move beyond passive internet use and instead leverage digital tools to create solutions, access opportunities, and uplift communities.
She stressed that Lesotho must transition from being primarily a consumer of global technologies to becoming an active contributor—building local solutions and benefiting from the value created.
