World Bank mission reviews Lesotho transport and trade project

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A World Bank mission led by Wei Yan has completed a week-long review of the Lesotho Integrated Transport, Trade and Logistics Project, focusing on road works, border post upgrades, and improvements at Moshoeshoe I International Airport.

A team from the World Bank has wrapped up a week-long visit to Lesotho to review progress on a major project to improve the country’s roads, borders, and airport.

The project is called the Lesotho Integrated Transport, Trade and Logistics Project (LITTL). Its goal is to make it easier and faster for goods to move in and out of Lesotho, and to make transport safer and more reliable.

The World Bank mission was led by Wei Yan. During their stay, the team met with government officials and other key partners to assess progress, identify problems requiring attention, and ensure work stays on schedule.

Roads and procurement

According to Nosezolo Mpopo, Corporate Communications Manager at the Roads Directorate, the mission focused heavily on Component One of the project, which deals with road works and procurement. The World Bank team provided technical advice to help speed up these processes and resolve delays.

The team also reviewed the aviation component, working with the Roads Directorate and Airport Services to ensure all parties are coordinating smoothly on upgrades at Moshoeshoe I International Airport.

Smart border posts

For Component Two, the mission assessed progress on customs and trade facilitation. A central focus is the Smart One Stop Border Post initiative at the Maseru and Maputsoe border crossings. This system is designed to reduce waiting times by allowing travellers and trucks to clear customs once, rather than stopping twice on both sides of the border.

The idea is to make trade faster, cut costs for businesses, and help Lesotho compete better with other countries in the region.

Roads Directorate

Sites visited

During the visit, the World Bank team inspected several sites earmarked for upgrades, including Moshoeshoe I International Airport, planned for safety and security improvements; the A1 Road at Lekokoaneng, earmarked for spot improvements to address deteriorating sections; the Ha Nyenye intersection in Maputsoe, scheduled for upgrades to ease traffic problems; and the A8 intersection in Hlotse, also set for improvements.

The team wanted to assess conditions on the ground and confirm that plans match actual needs.

Ministerial briefing

The World Bank delegation also met with the Minister of Public Works and Transport. They gave updates on the project’s progress and discussed where additional support may be needed for Lesotho’s transport sector going forward.

Broader project goals

Mpopo explained that the LITTL Project has objectives that go beyond road repairs. These include improving climate-resilient connectivity along the Katse–Thaba-Tseka Road corridor so the road can withstand heavy rains and adverse weather; making logistics faster and cheaper for businesses moving goods; improving border processes at Maseru, Maputsoe, Caledonspoort, and Qacha’s Nek; making Moshoeshoe I International Airport safer and more functional; and helping Lesotho meet international aviation standards.

The Roads Directorate said the visit was valuable in keeping the project on track and ensuring all partners are working towards the same goal.

With these upgrades, the government hopes to make it easier for Basotho businesses to trade, lower the cost of goods, and create stronger links between Lesotho and the rest of Southern Africa.

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