MASERU -- To further explore opportunities for Lesotho in the international
community, the Ambassador of Lesotho in Brussels, Mrs. ‘Mantoetsi
Mohatonyane held a high-level bilateral dialogue with BIO-Belgian
Development Finance Institution.

Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations
shows that the engagement meeting hosted at BIO’s headquarters in Brussels
these days saw the discussion being centred on strategic investment
opportunities in Lesotho. Areas of focus as articulated by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs are said to have focused on a strong focus on renewable

energy development, private-sector growth, and sustainable economic
progress.

This in recognition of Lesotho’s significant potential for clean and sustainable
power generation beyond enhancing power generation capacity in order to
diversify Lesotho’s energy portfolio, reduce reliance on electricity imports,
enhance access to reliable energy, create jobs and foster growth for local
Small Medium Enterprise (SME’s) contributing to inclusive economic
development.

Although BIO currently has no investments in Lesotho, the country is reported
to fall within BIO’s eligible investment scope hence the institution is interested
in facilitating stronger links between BIO and prospective private-sector
projects in the country.
To this, Ambassador Mohatonyane reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to
promoting Lesotho as an attractive destination for sustainable investment and
to facilitating engagement between Belgian and European development-
finance institutions and relevant stakeholders in Lesotho.

BIO is Belgium’s Development Finance Institution, wholly owned by the
Belgium State. It supports private-sector growth in developing and emerging
economies by providing financing and technical assistance to businesses and
projects that promote sustainable economic development. BIO provides
financing on sectors including renewable energy, agribusiness, financial
inclusion and climate finance.

This meeting coincided with the launch of a hydropower station in
Semonkong aimed at improving access to reliable electricity for the
community by Prime Minister, Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane over the weekend.