MASERU – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unveiled the Top-9 finalists of the 2026 Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) Programme, marking a major boost for Lesotho’s private sector and signalling growing investor confidence in the country’s emerging enterprises.
The GSIV Programme is a flagship enterprise acceleration and investment readiness initiativedesigned to identify high-growth businesses in Lesotho with strong commercial potential and measurable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP GSIV Programme Signals Confidence in Lesotho’s Entrepreneurs
In a statement released this week, UNDP said the selection of the nine ventures demonstrates that Lesotho’s private sector is ready to scale, attract investment, and compete regionally and internationally, despite ongoing economic challenges.
The programme focuses on:
• Increasing business visibility and credibility
• Connecting enterprises with investors and partners
• Strengthening Lesotho’s investment pipeline
• Supporting sustainable and scalable business models
Importantly, GSIV does not function as a basic entrepreneurship training programme but instead focuses on positioning already-established growth-stage businesses for expansion and investment readiness.
Only 9 Ventures Selected from Competitive National Pool
UNDP received 15 nominations from impact funds, development organisations, and enterprise support institutions, but only nine met the programme’s strict selection criteria.
Key requirements included:
• Strong operational presence in Lesotho
• Innovative products, services, or technologies
• Demonstrated market traction and revenue growth
• Experienced and capable management teams
• Clear potential for regional or continental expansion
UNDP said the selected enterprises reflect Lesotho’s rising entrepreneurial capacity and innovation potential.
Finalists Span Key Economic Sectors Including Agriculture, Technology, and Manufacturing
According to UNDP, the nine finalists represent a diverse cross-section of Lesotho’s priority growth sectors, including:
• Agriculture and agro-processing
• Manufacturing
• Technology and innovation
• Renewable energy
• Hospitality and tourism
• Health services
• Creative industries
“Their innovations demonstrate the breadth of opportunities emerging in Lesotho’s evolving private sector landscape,” the statement said.
These sectors are widely viewed as critical for job creation, economic diversification, and reducing Lesotho’s high unemployment rate.
UNDP Training to Prepare Businesses for Global Investment
The finalists will now undergo specialised Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) training, aligned with the UNDP SDG Impact Standards.
This training will help participating businesses:
• Strengthen internal management systems
• Integrate sustainability into their core strategies
• Measure and communicate their social and environmental impact
• Improve readiness for international investors
UNDP said the initiative comes at a time when global investors are increasingly prioritising transparency, sustainability, and long-term value creation.
Programme Expected to Support Job Creation and Economic Growth
UNDP believes the GSIV Programme will play a critical role in:
• Supporting private sector-led economic growth
• Creating employment opportunities for Basotho
• Attracting foreign and local investment
• Strengthening Lesotho’s economic resilience
“As Lesotho works to strengthen economic resilience, create jobs and expand opportunities for youth and women, growth-stage businesses serve as essential drivers of inclusive development,” UNDP said.
Major Milestone for Lesotho’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
The GSIV cohort represents an important milestone in Lesotho’s transition toward a more innovation-driven and investment-ready economy.
UNDP said the nine enterprises demonstrate that Basotho entrepreneurs are ready to drive sustainable economic transformation, positioning Lesotho as an emerging hub for impact-driven business in Southern Africa.
As these ventures scale, they are expected to deliver financial returns, social benefits, and environmental sustainability, contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous economy.
