Lack of Finances for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has proven a burden on developing countries like Lesotho and for this reason, the government of Lesotho with the support from UNDP is implementing recommendations of the Lesotho Development Financing Assessment (DFA) through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) that called for Lesotho to undertake the SDG Investor Map.

This is according to the Lesotho Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investor Map 2023 Narrative Report that was launched by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane.

According to this report, SDGs are attainable when integrated into a country’s national development strategies and in this regard, Lesotho has made progress towards achievement of SDGs by aligning its National Strategic Plan (NSDP II) to the United Nations’ SDGs.

The report further mentioned that integration and implementation of the SDGs rely on partnerships and global collaboration and Lesotho recognizes the need for mobilizing private sector participation including Foreign Direct Investment for the realization of SDGs while also creating an enabling environment of domestic investment.

It also mentioned that there is also a need to engage and mobilize private sector participation and intensify the private sector’s awareness of the SDGs aimed at facilitating and fast-tracking adoption and mainstreaming into the sector’s operations and business models.

Moreover, the report indicated that the process of prioritizing mobilization of private investment in key economic sectors is an important issue as it can help Lesotho to improve productivity and create sustainable jobs.

The SDG investor Map is a market intelligence tool developed by the government of Lesotho through the ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Lesotho National Development Cooperation (LNDC) with the technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office and Africa Finance Hub.

It aims to assist the private sector to identify investment opportunities in emerging markets with significant potential for sustainable development.