Focus on inclusive politics, green energy, and governance reform
The European Union (EU) has reinforced its long-standing partnership with Lesotho by announcing a major investment of €16 million (approximately M337 million) in new cooperation programmes set to roll out this year.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference on Wednesday, attended by Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, EU Ambassador to Lesotho, Paola Amadei, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoane, among others.
Ambassador Amadei said the latest funding package underscores the EU’s nearly five-decade commitment to Lesotho and represents a concrete effort to promote inclusive governance, green energy, and sustainable development.
The newly launched Inclusive Lesotho programme will receive €4 million, approximately M84 million, with an additional USD 200,000 contribution from the UNDP.
This initiative aims to bolster participation and inclusion within Lesotho’s political system and strengthen the administration of elections.
According to the EU, key activities will include supporting the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in establishing an inclusive and accurate voter registry, leading nationwide civic and voter education campaigns, and ensuring inclusive, fair, and transparent election operations.
“The programme will also focus on integrating civic education into school curricula and conducting targeted outreach to underrepresented groups such as women, rural communities, LGBTIQ+ individuals, youth, and persons living with disabilities,” the EU stated.
Furthermore, the EU announced an additional €10 million, approximately M211 million for the existing Renewable Lesotho programme, bringing the total EU contribution to €25 million, approximately M527 million.
Ambassador Amadei said this programme, launched in 2023, is geared towards ensuring energy security in Lesotho, improving access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and promoting green growth.
“The additional funding will support a pipeline of energy sector infrastructure investments in generation and transmission, alongside ongoing support for public entities, the private sector, and education and vocational training actors in the renewable energy field. The programme also aims to establish a National Energy Fund to leverage further resources for a renewable energy future in Lesotho,” she said.
Ambassador Amadei reiterated the EU’s commitment to peace, partnership, and cooperation with Lesotho, emphasising shared values of democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and multilateralism.
She also highlighted the benefits of Lesotho’s access to the EU market through the “Everything But Arms” policy and the EU-SADC EPA, which has contributed to a continuous trade surplus for Lesotho in recent years.
An additional €2 million has been allocated to Support Measures, a cross-cutting programme designed to bolster the overall Lesotho-EU partnership.
This will provide technical assistance to key partners in government ministries and support communication efforts to enhance the visibility and accountability of EU cooperation.
Minister Mpotjoana lauded the new programmes, stating, “This programme embodies our shared hope for a future where national development is driven by sustainable progress and inclusive growth.
“By prioritising critical sectors such as good governance, renewable energy, and civil society empowerment, we are confident that these initiatives will serve as catalysts for transformative change,” he said.
He emphasised the alignment of these efforts with Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II, paving the way for long-term economic stability and enhanced public trust.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
