Equitable Lesotho

Why strengthening the national statistical system in Lesotho? 

Essential data gaps for sustainable development: In 2023, Lesotho’s population was around 2.1 million, growing at 1.1% annually. Reliable statistical data remain crucial to assess the impact of public policies in key sectors such as health, education, and poverty reduction, yet data availability and quality need strengthening to enable targeted interventions and informed decision-making.

Technical challenges in data management: Enhanced technical support is required to modernize national data collection and dissemination and align it with international standards.

Need for more inclusive and accurate data: Current data collection systems lack sufficient disaggregation by gender, age, region, and vulnerable groups - including women (over 50% of the population), youth (nearly 30% of the workforce), and persons with disabilities. Strengthening inclusivity in data will support policies better tailored to all citizens’ needs.

Coordination gaps among key stakeholders: Strengthening the national statistical system is essential to foster more effective coordination and ensure data is fully leveraged for national development.

How?

Strengthening the national statistical system initiative adopts a comprehensive approach, combining institutional reform, capacity development, and inclusive data practices to ensure evidence-based and equitable policymaking:

Strengthening the new institutional framework and coordination within the National Statistics System:

• Support communication and outreach around the adoption of the new Statistics Bill and its regulatory framework.
• Assist in the development of key operational documents under the new framework, including HR strategies, policies, and resource planning tools.
• Strengthen the coordination unit and support the creation or revitalisation of technical working groups.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning exchanges and conduct capacity assessments to support institutional development.

Enhancing national capacities to monitor National Strategic Development Plan implementation and the SDGs agenda:

• Provide technical assistance and structured training for Bureau of Statistics (BoS) and NSS staff, including mentoring to ensure sustainability.
• Deliver targeted training on data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination related to SDG and NSDP monitoring.
• Equip BoS and NSS institutions with essential IT tools and statistical software.
• Organise peer learning sessions focused on SDG reporting and data use.

Promoting inclusive and gender-sensitive data systems:

• Organise capacity-building workshops on inclusive data practices for NSS staff, with a focus on gender, disability, and marginalised groups.
• Develop and disseminate national guidelines for gender-sensitive and inclusive data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Support awareness-raising campaigns for decision-makers on the importance of inclusive and disaggregated data for effective and equitable policy-making.

The initiative is implemented by Expertise France, through a long-term technical assistance embedded within the Bureau of Statistics as the main beneficiary, supported by short-term and periodic expertise. Other beneficiaries include: Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in statistical development and data use in policy-making.

Background

The European Union (EU) is playing a pivotal role in strengthening Lesotho’s democratic institutions through the Equitable Lesotho initiative, which forms part of the EU’s broader support under its Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021–2027. The initiative contributes to Priority Area 2: Good Governance, Peaceful and Just Society.

It advances global and national development priorities, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Just and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). 

It also aligns with Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (2023/24–2027/28), which emphasises inclusive governance and institutional accountability. The EU support is a grant amount of €1,800,000 working on national coverage, over a period of 36 months spanning from 2025 to 2028.

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