On January 10, 2025, a landmark meeting took place between Her Royal Princess Lebogang Zulu, the National Chairperson of BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa, and His Majesty, King Tefo Lekitlane of the Kham Royal Kingdom. This high-level discussion centred on advancing the LETS (Local Enterprise Task Scheme) Funding initiative into the expanded BRICS community, while aligning with the cross-border cultural and people-to-people pillar of the BRICS Framework of Cooperation.
Founded in 1986 under the visionary leadership of King Meshack Tefo Lekitlane, LETS Funding has transformed countless lives by fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing community engagement, and supporting small businesses with grants, loans, and access to essential resources. With a mission to eliminate economic barriers and empower entrepreneurs, LETS aims to leverage the collective power of the BRICS network to expand market access, introduce cutting-edge technologies, and facilitate inclusive financing mechanisms.
Bridging Economies and Cultures Through BRICS Collaboration: The meeting also explored the synergies between LETS Funding’s objectives and the BRICS Framework of Cooperation’s focus on cultural exchange, people-to-people connections, and economic inclusivity. By integrating LETS into the BRICS ecosystem, the initiative seeks to strengthen ties among member nations, enhance cultural understanding, and create opportunities for collaboration in trade, technology transfer, and innovation.
His Majesty King Lekitlane also reaffirmed his commitment to participating in the upcoming 2025 BRICS+ Agriculture Investment and Trade Summit, scheduled for March 27–29 at the Durban ICC in South Africa. The summit will provide a dynamic platform to address critical issues such as sustainable agriculture, food security, and economic cooperation while presenting new avenues for small businesses to access global markets, advanced technologies, and tailored financing solutions.
LETS FUND – Empowering Entrepreneurs Across Borders: This strategic partnership is designed to broaden the scope of LETS Fund across the BRICS nations, facilitating access to crucial resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs. Aligned with the BRICS Framework, this initiative is set to boost resilience and prosperity through sustainable, innovative, and community-focused cross-border collaborations. Building upon the momentum created by the 2024 BRICS Women StartUp Contest during Russia’s Presidency, LETS Fund aims to enrich its legacy of fostering community well-being and innovation, providing structured support through funding, mentorship, and an expanded network.
Integrating LETS Fund within the ongoing BRICS framework enhances its impact, establishing a supportive ecosystem that underscores sustainability and innovation. This strategic approach aligns with the broader objectives of BRICS for fostering inclusive economic growth and development, benefiting not only individual entrepreneurs but also enhancing the economic vitality of entire communities. As LETS Fund and BRICS progress, they are committed to empowering economic innovators and transforming communities, making economic opportunities more accessible throughout the BRICS nations and beyond.
The 2025 BRICS+ Agriculture Investment and Trade Summit will also serve as a gateway to introduce LETS-supported enterprises to a broader audience of investors, policymakers, and global partners. With a focus on inclusive growth and economic empowerment, the event will highlight the transformative power of integrating small businesses into global value chains, supported by robust market access, innovative technologies, and equitable financing.
Pioneering a Shared Vision for Inclusive Development: This meeting between Princess Lebogang Zulu and King Tefo Lekitlane represents a critical step forward in realizing the BRICS vision of win-win cooperation and development. By harnessing the strengths of LETS Funding and the BRICS Women Business Alliance’s vision of establishing the BRICS Women Advancement Fund within the New Development Bank, this collaboration aims to create a unified platform for economic empowerment, cultural exchange, and sustainable growth across member nations



