Global Index Score
22.80
Lesotho's index score lands +1.0 against the Africa average (21.8) and -4.2 against Lower middle income peers (27.0). It scores ahead of 31% of the 135 countries and jurisdictions assessed this edition. The profile rests on 15 documented evidence items spanning policy frameworks, government initiatives and civil society activity.
GIRAI evaluates countries across five core dimensions that capture the social, ethical, and institutional impacts of artificial intelligence.
AI Policy
9.94
Avrg. Score
13.69
Enabling Conditions
55.52
Avrg. Score
42.48
Civil Society Engagement
1.75
Avrg. Score
9.31
28.24
Index Score
16.68
Avrg. Dimension score
Lesotho runs +11.6 against the regional average (16.7) on Inclusion and Diversity. Strongest indicators: Children's Rights (39.4), Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (10.6). Weakest: Gender Equality (0.0). This dimension ranks 68th globally — ahead of the country's overall position (94th). 2 evidence items on file, including "Child Online Protection Guidelines (Lesotho)".
30.02
Index Score
23.38
Avrg. Dimension score
Lesotho runs +6.6 against the regional average (23.4) on Ethics and Sustainability. Strongest indicators: Fairness and Non-discrimination (22.7), Transparency and Explainability (12.1). Weakest: Environmental Impact (10.6), Human Oversight and Determination (11.4). This dimension ranks 75th globally — ahead of the country's overall position (94th). 5 evidence items on file, including "Community Digital Inclusion".
15.80
Index Score
23.30
Avrg. Dimension score
Lesotho runs -7.5 against the regional average (23.3) on Labour and Skills. Strongest indicators: Reskilling/Upskilling Initiatives (12.1), AI Literacy (6.4). Weakest: Labour Protections (0.0). This dimension ranks 113th globally — behind the country's overall position (94th). 2 evidence items on file, including documented frameworks and initiatives.
22.33
Index Score
26.36
Avrg. Dimension score
Lesotho runs -4.0 against the regional average (26.4) on Trust and Safety. Strongest indicators: Safety and Security (12.5), Impact Assessments (12.1). Weakest: AI-facilitated Misinformation and Violence (0.0), Access to Redress and Remedy (9.8). This dimension ranks 105th globally — behind the country's overall position (94th). 3 evidence items on file, including documented frameworks and initiatives.
17.60
Index Score
19.73
Avrg. Dimension score
Lesotho runs -2.1 against the regional average (19.7) on AI Use in Public Service. Strongest indicators: Public Sector Skills Development (12.1), Public Disclosure of Government Algorithmic Systems (0.0). Weakest: Public Procurement (0.0). This dimension ranks 102nd globally — behind the country's overall position (94th). 3 evidence items on file, including documented frameworks and initiatives.
Explore how country performance, scores, and governance indicators have changed between GIRAI editions.
14 indicators
| Indicator | 2024 Edition | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Gender Equality | No Framework | No Framework |
| Children's Rights | No Framework | Non-Binding Framework |
| Cultural and Linguistic Diversity | No Framework | Draft |
| Fairness and Non-discrimination | No Framework | Draft |
| Transparency and Explainability | No Framework | Draft |
| Human Oversight and Determination | No Framework | Draft |
| Labour Protections | No Framework | No Framework |
| Reskilling/Upskilling Initiatives | No Framework | Draft |
| Safety and Security | No Framework | Draft |
| Access to Redress and Remedy | No Framework | Draft |
| Impact Assessments | No Framework | Draft |
| Public Sector Skills Development | No Framework | Draft |
| Public Procurement | No Framework | No Framework |
| Government Mechanisms for CSO Inclusion in AI Policy and Governance | No Framework | Draft |
Indicator definitions changed between editions; this table compares evidence presence and status, not directly comparable scores. A — indicates the item is not applicable or was not assessed for that edition.
Explore how countries and regions perform across GIRAI's governance dimensions, scores, and structural indicators.
| Indicator | Lesotho | Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusion and Diversity7 | ||
APGender Equality | 0.0 | 8.6 |
APChildren's Rights | 39.4 | 8.5 |
APCultural and Linguistic Diversity | 10.6 | 12.6 |
CSOCivil Society Engagement in Inclusion and Diversity | 0.0 | 7.7 |
ECEgalitarian Democracy | 57.3 | 28.7 |
ECDevice Affordability | 25.2 | 23.5 |
ECGender Gap in Mobile Internet | 100.0 | 47.2 |
| Ethics and Sustainability7 | ||
APFairness and Non-discrimination | 22.7 | 21.5 |
APTransparency and Explainability | 12.1 | 18.1 |
APHuman Oversight and Determination | 11.4 | 24.2 |
APEnvironmental Impact | 10.6 | 7.1 |
CSOCivil Society Engagement in Ethics and Sustainability | 0.0 | 9.9 |
ECLow-Carbon Energy Share | 100.0 | 44.3 |
ECRule of Law | 43.3 | 34.1 |
| Labour and Skills6 | ||
APLabour Protections | 0.0 | 2.8 |
APReskilling/Upskilling Initiatives | 12.1 | 25.4 |
APAI Literacy | 6.4 | 27.8 |
CSOCivil Society Engagement in Labour and Skills | 0.0 | 10.3 |
ECLabour Rights & Compliance | 35.8 | 32.4 |
ECSkills & Literacy | 44.8 | 41.4 |
| Trust and Safety10 | ||
APSafety and Security | 12.5 | 14.2 |
APAccess to Redress and Remedy | 9.8 | 20.7 |
APImpact Assessments | 12.1 | 12.2 |
APAI-facilitated Misinformation and Violence | 0.0 | 6.6 |
CSOCivil Society Engagement in Trust and Safety | 0.0 | 5.2 |
ECData Protection and Privacy | 41.8 | 56.5 |
ECData Sharing and Access | 87.5 | 46.8 |
ECConsumer Protection | 75.8 | 76.1 |
ECCybersecurity | 27.1 | 64.8 |
ECGlobal Peace | 53.7 | 52.2 |
| AI Use in Public Service7 | ||
APPublic Sector Skills Development | 12.1 | 19.7 |
APPublic Disclosure of Government Algorithmic Systems | 0.0 | 0.0 |
APPublic Procurement | 0.0 | 6.5 |
CSOGovernment Mechanisms for CSO Inclusion in AI Policy and Governance | 8.8 | 13.6 |
ECCivil Society Accountability | 75.8 | 57.2 |
ECPublic Service Delivery | 31.2 | 55.7 |
ECAccess to Public Information | 36.1 | 18.6 |
| Score adjustment | ||
URAIUnacceptable Risk AI Systems | No penalty | ×1.00Regional average |
A breakdown of the structural factors shaping this country's score.
National AI strategies, laws, and oversight mechanisms that establish formal governance structures.
Contribution to overall score
26%
Participation of academia, advocacy groups, and non-state actors in shaping governance and ensuring accountability.
Contribution to overall score
1%
Institutional capacity, rule of law, digital readiness, and labour protections that enable effective governance.
Contribution to overall score
73%