Tsotleho, Paki2026-06-182026-06-182024https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14155/2367As the Lesotho electricity generation landscape transitions from centralized modes of systems towards decentralized generation and distribution systems, there exists a potential challenge of elite capture in governance structures and frameworks that may overlook the social dimensions that guarantee the sustainability of such systems. This study interrogates the Lesotho decentralized mini-grid energy systems landscape for traces of the energy democracy agenda as a globally sought-after discourse due to its nature to either be a deterrent or a stepping stone for sustainable energy development using an abductive research method. This discourse is especially important for knowledge production that can potentially inform national policy associated with the transition from productive use of energy to sustainable use of energy. The report starts by scrutinizing the available written work on mini-grids as a whole, legal or otherwise, establishing the broad national perspective of the development of the mini-grids in Lesotho. This is then complemented by assessing existing case studies of Ha Makebe and Motete in rural Lesotho to primarily focus on the role that decentralization plays in elements of energy democracy in mini-grids developments. The research takes on a life-cycle approach as the main analytical framework, under which institutional processes and practices are matched across the four identified phases of the project life-cycle. This is further supported by evaluating the host communities on their status as energy citizens under the energy democracy agenda. The results of this research study demonstrate the status of the policy and legal framework to imply the energy democracy agenda rather than it is inferred. This observed state of policy and legal framework further spills into the formulation approaches on standard governance practices that focus on infrastructure optimization as opposed to project sustainability which speaks to the effectiveness of the institution to govern such developments. Lastly, the results of this study present the host beneficiaries as eager and willing citizens to exercise their collective role as energy citizens to institutionally hold other stakeholders accountable under the energy democracy agenda concerning the development of decentralized mini-grids in Lesotho as to achieve a just and equitable energy transition.en