Lesana advocates for smarter borrowing

STAFF REPORTER

As Basotho grapple with the rising cost of living, stagnant incomes, and unpredictable emergencies, one financial institution is shifting the narrative on how borrowing should work.

Lesana Financial Services, a Central Bank of Lesotho  regulated lender now in its 11th year, is repositioning short-term loans as not just survival tools, but strategic instruments of personal and financial discipline.

Speaking to Public Eye, Sales Executive Khoabane Chapi explains why short-term borrowing, though often underestimated, may be the smarter route for many income earners in Lesotho.

“Most people tell me the money is too little,” Chapi admits.

“And I agree. M5,000 or M20,000 won’t build you an empire. But that’s not the point. The point is: it can protect what you’re building.”

Chapi is part of the team driving Lesana’s nationwide sales and marketing push for products like the Emergency Loan and Debit Order Loan, offerings often dismissed due to their lower limits and shorter repayment terms.

But in a volatile economy, he argues, short-term credit can serve as a safety net rather than a burden, especially when emergencies threaten to derail long-term goals.

“If you’re saving for a house or a business and you dip into that every time there’s a crisis, you’ll never reach your goal,” he says. “Short-term loans offer breathing room without destroying your future.”

Short-term credit has traditionally been seen as costly and restrictive.

However, Lesana is advocating for a mindset shift. Encouraging borrowers to match the purpose of their loan to the structure of their loan.

“You don’t borrow M550,000 repayable over 84 months to test a side hustle,” Chapi warns.

“That’s risky. If it fails, you’re stuck in debt for seven years. But with a short-term loan, you can test an idea, learn, and recover quickly if it doesn’t work.”

This cautious approach to entrepreneurial finance is catching on. Lesana has observed a growing number of young professionals and middle-income earners using short-term loans to fund microbusinesses, invest in essential tools, or stabilize cash flow in between salary cycles.

“It’s not about how much you borrow, it’s how strategically you use it,” says Chapi. “Some of the most successful people I know started with M10,000 and a plan.”

Avoiding the Savings Drain

Lesana also sees short-term loans as a tool to protect long-term savings, a counterintuitive but increasingly relevant strategy in financially stressed households.

“Savings are for building,” Chapi notes. “Emergencies are part of life. If you always dip into your savings, you lose momentum. That’s where short-term credit becomes essential. It preserves your future plans.”

He emphasizes, however, that this is not a license to over-borrow.

“You can’t run to loans every time something happens,” he says. “It’s about balance. Short-term loans work best as part of a broader financial discipline.”

Lesana’s message is clear: it’s not just a lender, it’s a partner in financial growth. The company’s approach emphasizes responsible borrowing, tailored advice, and continuous education.

“We’re not here to give you the biggest loan,” Chapi explains.

“We’re here to give you the right one, at the right time, for the right reason.”

With its expanding national presence and seasoned advisors, Lesana is cementing its place as a responsive, client-focused financial institution that understands the evolving needs of Basotho.

“We don’t believe in debt for debt’s sake,” Chapi concludes.

“We believe in smart credit, financial literacy, and protecting dreams. That’s the edge we offer.”