Sechaba Mokhethi
When the Russia-Ukraine war erupted on February 24, 2022, it seemed to be a conflict far removed from the mountains and quiet villages of Lesotho.
Yet, three years later, the echoes of that war have reached the Kingdom’s households in tangible and painful ways.
Rising food prices, surging fuel costs, and mounting economic uncertainty have made life increasingly difficult for ordinary Basotho, illustrating just how interconnected the world has become.
A war thousands of kilometres away, felt at home
The war in Ukraine has disrupted global supply chains in unprecedented ways. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat and sunflower oil, and the conflict has severely curtailed production and exportation. The knock-on effect has been a global rise in food prices, a surge felt acutely in African nations like Lesotho, which rely heavily on imported grains.
According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the war has driven up global food and energy prices, exacerbating inflation across the continent. In Lesotho, where wheat imports make up a significant portion of household staples, the impact has been severe. The Bureau of Statistics in Lesotho reported that the price of bread and maize meal rose by more than 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
“The prices of basic foods have gone through the roof,” says Ketsitseng Lekoro, a mother of three from Maseru. “A 12.5 kg pack of maize meal used to cost M100 but now it is M120. M250 used to afford both bread flour and maize meal but now I can only afford one,” she added.
Fuel prices and transportation costs
The disruption in global oil supplies due to the war, has also led to a sharp increase in fuel prices. Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers, and sanctions on Russian exports have tightened global supply. As a landlocked country dependent on South Africa for fuel imports, Lesotho has faced a double blow.
Fuel prices in Lesotho have seen significant fluctuations over the past three years. In April 2022, the government announced an increase in fuel prices, with the prices per litre set as follows: Petrol 93: M20.50, Petrol 95: M20.80, Diesel 50ppm: M22.95 and Illuminating Paraffin: M16.90. These figures were reported in the Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Energy Report.
By May 2024, the Petroleum Fund reported a decrease in fuel prices, with petrol prices reaching M20.15 per litre and diesel at M21.20 per litre, according to Petroleum Fund.
This apparent drop in fuel prices, despite ongoing global instability, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the temporary stabilization of global oil markets following increased production from non-Russian oil producers helped ease supply pressures, according to Oil & Gas Journal.
Secondly, a strong South African Rand against the US dollar in early 2024 played a role in moderating import costs for Lesotho, with the Rand strengthening to 18.3350 per USD in July 2024, according to Reuters.
However, while fuel prices have dipped compared to their peak in 2022, they remain high compared to pre-2022 levels, continuing to place economic pressure on transport and goods costs.
The impact on local transportation costs has been pronounced. In December 2021, Lesotho Times reported 4+1 taxi fares for a 0 to 10-kilometer distance increased from M9.00 to M12.00, reflecting a 33% hike. By December 2023, fares rose again by M1.00, bringing the cost to M13.00, according to Lesotho News Agency. This cumulative increase of approximately 44% over three years has strained commuters’ budgets.
“We’ve had to raise fares because fuel is just too expensive,” explains Lebohang Lebata, a taxi driver in Ha Thetsane. “But passengers are struggling, some can’t even afford their usual routes anymore. Most factory workers walk their way home.”
The rising costs of transport have also impacted businesses, particularly small-scale traders who depend on affordable logistics to source and sell their goods. The increase in operational costs is forcing some businesses to shut down, further straining an already fragile economy.
Strain on agriculture
Lesotho’s agricultural sector has not been spared from the aftershocks of the conflict. The rise in global fertilizer prices, driven by disruptions in supply chains and sanctions on Russian exports, has made it harder for local farmers to afford essential inputs.
“We used to buy fertilizer for M350 per bag; now it’s over M600,” says Rethabile Rangoajane, a farmer in Botha Bothe. “We’ve had to cut down on how much we plant because we just can’t afford the costs.”
The result has been lower crop yields and higher local food prices, creating a vicious cycle of scarcity and inflation. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of increasing food insecurity across southern Africa, with Lesotho among the vulnerable countries.
In addition to fertilizer costs, the price of maize meal, a staple food in Lesotho, has seen significant increases. In March 2024, Lesotho Flour Mills announced a 15% hike in all maize products, attributing the rise to a surge in South African white maize prices from M3,700 to M5,300 per metric ton between January and March 2024. This was followed by another 15% increase in May 2024, as maize prices continued to climb, also reported Lesotho News Agency. In June 2025, Lesotho Flour Mills announced yet another price increase, citing rising production and import costs Seahlolo News. Overall, maize meal prices rose by 9.3% year-on-year in December 2024, reported FAO GIEWS.
Crisis brewing
For a nation already grappling with high unemployment and widespread poverty, the economic fallout from the Ukraine war is pushing many Basotho to the brink.
The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) estimates that more than 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the rising cost of living is deepening this crisis.
Many households have had to make difficult choices — cutting down on meals, pulling children out of school, or foregoing healthcare expenses. “We eat once a day now,” says Selloane Molefe, her voice heavy with resignation. “We just can’t afford more than that.”
Policy measures
Despite the challenges, the government of Lesotho has made efforts to cushion citizens from the economic impact. Subsidies on essential goods, increased social grants, and efforts to stabilize the local currency have been part of the response strategy.
But many feel these measures fall short of addressing the root causes of the crisis. “We need more than temporary relief,” argues humanitarian analyst, Mahapela Tsita . “Lesotho must look at boosting local production and reducing dependency on imports. Investing in agriculture and renewable energy could help shield us from future global shocks.”
As the world watches the ongoing devastation in Ukraine, there is also a responsibility for global powers to address the collateral damage felt in far-flung nations like Lesotho. Humanitarian aid, fairer trade policies, and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are crucial steps toward stabilizing global economies.
For now, though, the Basotho people continue to bear the brunt of a war they did not start and cannot control. Their resilience is remarkable, but it should not be mistaken for invulnerability.
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