Vodacom Lesotho subsidiary and M-Pesa operator VCL Financial Services has launched Tsetela, a new mobile-based investment solution that extends M-Pesa beyond everyday transactions into everyday wealth-building.

The launch marked an important step in expanding access to regulated investment opportunities and strengthening M-Pesa’s role in Lesotho’s financial ecosystem.

Tsetela, which means to invest, was developed in partnership with STANLIB Lesotho to enable eligible individual M-Pesa customers and Mokhatlo Group Savings customers to invest directly from their wallets, earn daily interest, view their balances through USSD and request withdrawals, in line with applicable product terms, conditions and turnaround times.

By making investment access available through a platform already trusted across urban, periurban and rural communities, Tsetela helps remove barriers, such as distance, paperwork, perceived complexity and assumptions about high entry requirements, which keeps many Basotho outside formal financial markets, and brings regulated investing closer to customers who have traditionally relied on cash-based or community savings channels.

“Financial inclusion goes beyond access to services; it enables Basotho to participate more fully in the economy and plan more confidently for the future,” said Vodacom Lesotho CEO Mohale Ralebitso.

STANLIB Lesotho MD Mohlabinyane Mohapi added that Tsetela seeks to remove barriers and deepen financial inclusion, noting that traditional investment channels have excluded many Basotho through barriers such as bank account requirements and high minimum investment thresholds, in some cases starting at M5 000.

“Even a modest investment of M1 can build value when placed within a structured and regulated investment environment. Tsetela is being introduced at a level that is accessible and aligned with the means of our people,” Ralebitso pointed out.

“As the product matures, we intend to expand the range of available portfolios. Our objective is to continue innovating responsibly, provide credible alternatives to informal and unsafe schemes and support individual wealth creation and broader national prosperity.”

Speaking at the unveiling on behalf of Lesotho Finance and Development Planning Minister Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, Teboho Shelile said that product innovation is strongest when driven by the private sector, with government creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment.

“Tsetela is a commendable innovation that deserves support to ensure its stability, sustainability and long-term growth. Financial inclusion remains central to economic development and no country can achieve meaningful growth without widening access to investment opportunities. We therefore encourage Basotho to embrace this product and prioritise regulated financial solutions.”

STANLIB is licensed by the Central Bank of Lesotho and operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework. Investor funds are segregated from company funds, operations are subject to annual audit and compliance reporting is undertaken in line with applicable requirements.

An independent trustee also oversees performance and regulatory adherence.

“We maintain a structured risk management framework to identify, monitor and manage risk appropriately, making the product well suited to short-term investors, risk-averse Basotho and individuals who require liquidity,” said Mohapi.

As more customers take their first step into formal investing, Tsetela is expected to strengthen Lesotho’s savings culture by enabling people to start small, remain consistent and build value over time.

The product also advances Vodacom Lesotho’s broader financial inclusion agenda by moving digital finance beyond basic access towards meaningful usage, resilience and long-term economic participation.