Maseru, May. 07 — The Senate Legislation Committee has urged the House to adopt the Report on the Business Licensing and Registration (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, saying the move will ease the burden on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and help tackle youth unemployment.
Presenting the report under Standing Order 52 (3), Committee Chairperson Senator Seabata Motsamai said the Regulations seek to waive licensing and registration fees prescribed under Schedule 15 for MSMEs. He noted that the waiver is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, particularly among young people.
Senator Motsamai said the initiative supports government youth empowerment programmes by making it easier for MSMEs to establish businesses without the challenge of regulatory costs.
He added that the removal of such fees will simplify the business registration process and create greater opportunities for young Basotho to participate meaningfully in the country’s economy.
The Committee commended the Ministry for introducing the measure, noting that the waiver is expected to encourage more young people to register businesses and reduce dependence on government and private sector employment.
It further highlighted that funds which would have been spent on licensing fees can instead be used as business capital, thereby boosting economic activity and contributing to efforts to curb youth unemployment.
Supporting the report, Senator Dr. Thabiso Lebese said the Regulations have already begun yielding positive results, with many businesses having been registered and becoming operational since the implementation of the waiver.
He said the government’s objective is to ensure that youth-owned businesses thrive, especially as many young Basotho are making strong efforts to establish enterprises that also create employment opportunities for others.
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