LESOTHO STRENGTHENS DIASPORA INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary in the Ministry Finance, Ms. Maseeiso Lekholoane said the workshop comes at the right time, as the Basotho diaspora represents an important national resource and a key partner in investment and sustainable development.

She said the initiative seeks to ensure that Lesotho has a practical framework that connects diaspora resources and remittances with national development and economic growth.

The workshop aims to strengthen the regulatory, institutional and financial framework for diaspora engagement and investment, link diaspora resources and remittances to national development priorities, identify investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, renewable energy and other productive sectors, and strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating diaspora contributions to development. It also seeks to explore the establishment of a National Diaspora Forum to improve coordination and engagement.

Ms. Lekholoane emphasised the need to review and strengthen the final report to ensure that the proposed framework is practical and capable of being implemented.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the migration-development Nexus in Africa and unlock the full development potential of the Basotho diaspora for sustainable national development.