MASERU – The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has called on Basotho and development partners to actively participate in shaping the 2027/28 national budget, saying public input is essential to achieving inclusive economic growth and improving government accountability.

Speaking during the ministry's pre-budget consultation forum in Maseru on Tuesday, Budget Controller Ms Maleshoane Lekomola said the consultations are part of government's commitment to ensuring that the national budget reflects the priorities of citizens and key stakeholders.

She said the ministry conducted extensive consultations during May and June with citizens, local authorities, development partners, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and young people to gather proposals that will inform the 2027/28 budget strategy.

Ms Lekomola noted that Lesotho has made notable progress in the Open Budget Survey, with budget transparency improving from 35 percent in 2023 to 46 percent in 2025. She said that the public participation also increased from nine percent to 22 percent, demonstrating greater use of public consultation platforms.

Addressing the same forum, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ms Nthoateng Lebona, said the government remains committed to implementing measures that will grow the economy despite global and domestic shocks.

She said consultations should identify practical actions needed to unlock growth in priority sectors, including agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

Ms Lebona said the government wants agriculture to contribute more directly to economic growth while exploring ways to unlock the country's tourism potential and accelerate development in the sector.

She added that efforts are also underway to revitalise manufacturing by improving access to both local and international markets for products made in Lesotho.

Ms Lebona further urged stakeholders, including young people, to continue engaging government on national development issues, including the proposed Youth Council. She appealed to the media and other partners to monitor the implementation of commitments made during the consultations instead of waiting until the next budget cycle.

The pre-budget consultation forum brings together government ministries, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders to contribute to the formulation of the 2027/28 national budget.

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