UN ECA to Strengthen Lesotho’s Industrialisation, Trade and Sustainability in 2026

As Lesotho progresses with its development agenda, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) plans to intensify support in 2026 to boost industrialisation, trade, and sustainability. These efforts are anchored in Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Key priorities for Lesotho include support for the development and implementation of industrial and local content policies aligned with regional frameworks. Strengthening agro-industry and regional value chains will expand opportunities for Basotho producers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The ECA will provide technical assistance on modern Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial policy tools to attract quality investment. Additionally, it will accelerate AfCFTA implementation, offering targeted support to women- and youth-led MSMEs to enhance export readiness and competitiveness.

At the 2025 Accountability and Programme Performance Review Meeting, Member States highlighted the importance of climate resilience, food security, and green growth—priorities that align closely with Lesotho’s development path.

Lesotho’s Permanent Representative to the ECA, Ambassador Ntsiuoa Sekete, welcomed the planned support, noting its potential for tangible impact. She stated, “Lesotho views ECA’s targeted support as both timely and strategic. Strengthening industrial policy, regional value chains, and MSME competitiveness is essential to ensure that our integration into regional and continental markets translates into inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods for Basotho.”

These interventions are expected to reinforce Lesotho’s regional integration, advance green industrialisation, and position the Kingdom to benefit meaningfully from regional and continental value chains. By enhancing industrial capacity and supporting MSMEs, Lesotho aims to achieve sustainable economic growth while creating jobs and improving livelihoods for its citizens.

The ECA’s planned support represents a strategic step toward a resilient, inclusive, and competitive economy, aligning national priorities with broader regional and continental development goals.