LESOTHO · BANKING
FNB Lesotho (First National Bank of Lesotho), part of South Africa’s FirstRand financial group, and Visa, the global payments company, ran a prize contest for customers who paid by card around the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bank says the aim was to move shoppers from cash to digital payments.
The contest terms published by the bank say it closed on 31 July 2026. Press reports say weekly prize draws started on 1 June 2026 and listed monthly prizes, including a three-month salary payout.
Key Facts
- Contest “Get In The Game with Effortless Payments”: FNB Lesotho Visa debit card users were entered automatically.
- Weekly prizes From 1 June 2026, press reports say: petrol, paraffin (kerosene) vouchers and cash.
- Monthly prizes Press reports list a three-month salary payout, grocery vouchers and cash.
- Closed 31 July 2026, according to the contest terms.
- Open We found no published entry numbers, winners or total prize value.
A South African-owned bank in Lesotho used football fever to push card payments.
How the Contest Worked
Customers who swiped, tapped or paid online with their FNB Lesotho Visa debit cards were entered automatically if eligible, according to the contest terms. Winners were drawn at random from customers who paid by card at least three times a week, the terms say.
Press reports listed the weekly prizes as petrol vouchers, paraffin vouchers and cash, starting on 1 June 2026, and the monthly prizes as a three-month salary payout, grocery vouchers and cash. The terms themselves name cash, petrol, grocery and paraffin prizes.
What the Bank Said
Delekazi Mokebe, chief executive of FNB Lesotho, said the contest was launched as excitement built for the World Cup. Nthabeleng Khoali, the bank’s head of retail, said the bank wanted to encourage “effortless and secure payments” while rewarding customers weekly and monthly.
FNB also urged local businesses to take up FNB Speed Points, its card payment terminals, so that they could accept card payments. A cashless shift needs shops that take cards as well as customers who carry them.
Why It Matters
The contest rewarded small everyday purchases, such as groceries or fuel, with a chance of a prize. Visa supplied the prizes, according to press reports.
For FNB, the contest builds card activity and more shops that accept cards. Our Lesotho explainer gives the wider economic background.
See also our report on Lesotho’s road rebuild.
What Is Not Known
The number of entries, the winners and the total prize value have not been published, as far as we found. Press reports gave end dates of 3 July and 31 July 2026, and the contest terms confirm 31 July.
The terms give a start of 1 March 2026, earlier than the 30 April in press reports, and they set no date for the weekly draws. We make no claim about how much cash is still used in Lesotho.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the FNB Lesotho and Visa contest?
It was a prize contest for customers who paid with FNB Lesotho Visa debit cards around the 2026 World Cup. Press reports list vouchers, cash and a three-month salary payout as prizes.
When did the contest run?
The contest terms say it closed on 31 July 2026. Press reports say weekly prize draws started on 1 June 2026.
Who is FNB Lesotho?
FNB Lesotho is First National Bank of Lesotho, the Lesotho bank of South Africa’s FirstRand group, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Sources: Contest terms and conditions of First National Bank of Lesotho Ltd (fnb.co.ls, 2026); statements by Delekazi Mokebe and Nthabeleng Khoali, 31 May to 17 June 2026.
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