Lesotho strengthens partnership with UNECA to drive economic growth

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoana, met with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Secretary General, Claver Gatete on the sidelines of the recent Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
The meeting provided a platform for Lesotho to present its key national development priorities, including agriculture, renewable energy, water resources development, and tourism.
The sectors are seen as critical engines for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in the country.
Mpotjoane informed Gatete about the government’s decision to establish an inclusive growth fund, aimed at catalysing investment in high-impact development projects.
During the meeting, Lesotho requested UNECA’s technical assistance through its “Movers for Growth” initiative to identify and design bankable projects that can deliver tangible economic returns and promote structural transformation.
Mpotjoane also extended an invitation to UNECA to undertake a technical mission to Lesotho to assist in conducting a detailed analysis of the impact of tariffs imposed on Lesotho’s exports.
The study would inform a broader strategy to enhance Lesotho’s economic resilience and support efforts to diversify its economy, reducing vulnerability to external shocks.
The bilateral engagement reaffirmed the strong partnership between Lesotho and UNECA, with both parties expressing their commitment to continued collaboration in support of sustainable and inclusive growth in Lesotho.