Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
inAfrika 记者报道、
In a major boost to Lesotho’s development ambitions, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced a planned investment of $331 million under its 2025–2030 Country Strategy Paper, targeting key sectors to drive industrial competitiveness, infrastructure development, and economic transformation.
This strategic commitment was unveiled during the historic visit of AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina—his first to Lesotho—where he held high-level talks with His Majesty King Letsie III, affirming a renewed era of partnership and progress.
King Letsie III praised the Bank’s growing presence in Lesotho and reaffirmed the nation’s readiness to roll out enabling policies that attract private sector investments, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. Describing Dr. Adesina as a “man of action,” the King expressed confidence that the Bank’s leadership would deliver tangible outcomes for Basotho communities.
In response, Dr. Adesina emphasized the Bank’s alignment with Lesotho’s development goals, noting that the forthcoming investment will prioritize energy infrastructure, agricultural transformation, digital expansion, water and sanitation systems, climate resilience, public financial management, and improved trade competitiveness.
He remarked that every development challenge should be seen as an investor’s opportunity and stressed the need for Africa to engage more actively with the private sector, especially as donor funding continues to decline. “Capital, like water, will always find a receptive place to go,” he said.
Since Lesotho joined the Bank in 1973, the country has benefited from 87 projects valued at $429 million. Currently, eight projects worth $60 million are ongoing. The Bank’s new commitments are expected to significantly expand that impact.
One of the standout projects under AfDB’s support has been the Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. It has already rolled out extensive infrastructure, providing water access to tens of thousands of people in Maseru and Berea through expanded pipelines, storage tanks, and public water points.
In line with King Letsie’s request, the Bank also committed to enhancing primary healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Adesina further announced plans for an integrated development initiative. This would bring together components of energy, agro-value chains, digital infrastructure, trade facilitation, and a potential multi-partner $2.3 billion water transfer project linking Lesotho, South Africa, and Botswana. The project aims to support domestic, agricultural, and industrial water use while generating hydropower.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Retselisitsoe Matlanyane reinforced the country’s intent to build a substation for exporting surplus electricity to South Africa, noting that Lesotho’s energy capacity will exceed domestic demand by the end of 2026. She also highlighted the need for investments in primary healthcare and nutrition as part of Lesotho’s strategy to address extreme stunting in several regions.
Dr. Adesina also commended King Letsie III’s advocacy work as the African Union’s Nutrition Champion, applauding his long-standing leadership in promoting food security, maternal and child nutrition, and youth development across the continent.
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