Maseru, September 25 — Lesotho has officially introduced a new USD$10 Million Dollars project that will use business ideas and innovation to help the country adapt to climate change.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry Acting Principal Secretary,Mr. Sebothama Moshoeshoe, said climate resilience could no longer be treated solely as an environmental issue, but had become a national development priority requiring participation across the economy and society.
Mr. Moshoeshoe was speaking at the inception and stakeholder engagement workshop for the Promoting Climate Adaptation and Resilience through Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Clean Jobs (PARS) project in Maseru on Friday.
He said entrepreneurs, innovators, financial institutions, researchers and communities all had a role to play in identifying and delivering climate solutions, while partnerships between government, the private sector, academia and development partners would be essential.
He said the project’s focus on youth participation, entrepreneurship, knowledge development and locally driven solutions could help harness the creativity and innovation within Basotho institutions and communities.
Director, Montreal Protocol and Climate Innovation Division, UNIDO representative Mr. Alois Mhlanga said the project was also seeking to change the traditional perception that climate adaptation was primarily a government responsibility.
He said young graduates, entrepreneurs and innovators could become part of emerging green industries if provided with appropriate business development and investment support.
Mr. Mhlanga said the project had emerged from national consultations that identified climate change and youth unemployment as challenges that could be addressed together.
He said climate-related shocks such as drought and water stress could also threaten private investments, particularly in agriculture, making climate resilience important to both communities and businesses.
Meanwhile, Ms. Qongqong Hoohlo said the project had first been presented to stakeholders in Lesotho in May 2025, when UNIDO consulted stakeholders on the initial project concept and sought their input before submitting it for funding.
She said stakeholders were now being brought together again following the securing of funding through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), allowing UNIDO to present the project in its current form after the design and approval processes.
Ms. Hoohlo said the GEF provides grant financing through implementing agencies such as UNIDO to support countries in addressing global environmental challenges, including climate change.
She said UNIDO would provide technical expertise and oversight, while Lesotho Meteorological Services under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry would serve as the project’s executive agency, helping link the initiative to national priorities and coordinate among national institutions.
The initiative forms part of a wider US$47 million GEF-funded programme covering six countries — Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi and Somalia — with US$10 million, approximately R162,873 ,300.00 allocated to Lesotho.
The five-year project seeks to promote climate adaptation and resilience through innovation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on locally driven solutions, stronger enterprises and opportunities for clean jobs.
Ends/TS/tl
