Finance · National
Lesotho has signed World Bank financing agreements totalling M900 million (approximately US$51.3 million), with the bulk earmarked for rural electrification and the remainder split between skills training and nutrition.
Lemohang Botsane
Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane signed financing agreements worth M900 million (approximately US$51.3 million) with World Bank Country Representative Dinara Djoldosheva, committing the funds across three projects covering energy access, skills development and nutrition.
| Project | Maloti | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerating Sustainable Energy Access Transformation | M820 million | US$50 million |
| Skills training | M16.4 million | US$1 million |
| Nutrition | M4.9 million | US$300,000 |
| Total | M900 million | US$51.3 million |
The largest share â M820 million (US$50 million) â goes to the Accelerating Sustainable Energy Access Transformation project, which is intended to connect more homes and businesses to electricity, with a focus on rural and highland communities that currently have limited or no supply.
M16.4 million (US$1 million) is allocated to skills training, aimed at equipping Basotho, particularly young people, with skills that match available employment. A further M4.9 million (US$300,000) will fund nutrition programmes targeting children and mothers.
The largest share â M820 million (US$50 million) â goes to electrification, with rural and highland communities identified as the primary beneficiaries.
Speaking after the signing, Dr. Matlanyane said the agreements reflect the government’s intention to invest in electricity, skills and nutrition as drivers of economic growth. Djoldosheva said the World Bank will continue to support Lesotho’s development plans and described the projects as steps toward a more inclusive economy.
