ECA to Intensify Support for Lesotho’s Industrialisation and Trade Agenda in 2026

As Lesotho advances its national development priorities, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Subregional Office for Southern Africa will intensify its support in 2026. The intervention will focus on strengthening industrialisation, trade, and sustainability. This support aligns with the National Strategic Development Plan II, Agenda 2063, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Lesotho’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ambassador Nts’iuoa Sekete, welcomed the planned support. She said the intervention carries strong potential to deliver tangible change and long-term development for the Kingdom. According to the Ambassador, the timing of the support is both strategic and necessary.

Ambassador Sekete stressed that Lesotho places high value on ECA’s targeted approach. She noted that stronger industrial policy frameworks are critical for building a competitive and resilient economy. She also highlighted the need to develop regional value chains that allow local industries to scale and access broader markets.

A key focus of the support will be improving the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. These enterprises play a central role in job creation and income generation across Lesotho. Strengthening their capacity will help ensure that regional and continental integration delivers inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods for Basotho.

ECA’s intensified engagement is expected to support policy reform, capacity building, and regional cooperation. The aim is to help Lesotho move beyond market access toward real participation in value-added trade under AfCFTA. This approach supports economic diversification and reduces vulnerability to external shocks.

Through closer collaboration with ECA, Lesotho seeks to translate regional frameworks into practical outcomes. The planned support positions the country to advance industrial development, expand trade opportunities, and promote sustainability as core pillars of its long-term growth strategy.