MASERU – Passport production in Lesotho could grind to a halt within weeks after the government was warned that materials used to produce passports are close to running out.
A letter dated 27 February 2026 from Impala Communication Technologies Ltd, the company responsible for supplying passport production materials, warns the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police that remaining consumables are critically low.
According to the letter addressed to the Principal Secretary, the available materials are sufficient to produce a maximum of 27,500 passports.
At the current rate of production, the stock is expected to be completely depleted within 20 to 25 days, meaning passport printing could stop before the end of March 2026 if urgent action is not taken.
The supplier indicated that replenishing the materials requires a 50 percent advance payment to secure production. The company also warned that a final manufacturing slot has already been secured, and any delay in issuing the contract and Letter of Credit could cause significant delays in restocking.
Impala Communication Technologies urged the ministry to take immediate action, including authorising the contract and issuing the Letter of Credit without delay.
The company also suggested that authorities consider temporarily reducing daily passport issuance volumes to extend the remaining stock until new materials arrive.
The letter warns that failure to act quickly will result in a complete stoppage of passport production in Lesotho.
The document was signed by JC Smit, Operations Manager at Impala Communication Technologies, and received by the ministry on 2 March 2026.
