MAP Lesotho
In 2014, financial inclusion had already been included in Lesotho’s Financial Sector Development Strategy and National Strategic Development Plan. MAP Lesotho was initiated to complement and build on these initiatives, highlighting the policy imperatives which would provide the largest potential welfare gains to households in Lesotho and aligning stakeholders around an implementation roadmap.
The findings and recommendations of MAP Lesotho’s 2014 reports were derived from a demand, supply and regulatory analysis based on the methodology developed by Cenfri, FinMark Trust and UNCDF as part of the global MAP initiative. The demand-side analysis draws from quantitative data provided by the Lesotho FinScope Consumer Survey 2011 and primary qualitative research.
MAP Lesotho found that the adult population was already broadly served, meaning that the majority of adults with access to financial services use more than one type of financial service (e.g. credit and savings) from both formal and informal mechanisms. Thus, the focus in Lesotho would not be on extending the number of people who are financially included, but rather on increasing and improving the services offered with the view to alleviate poverty and support economic growth. Within this context, three broad priorities emerged:
- Improve household welfare through efficiency gains and risk mitigation.
- Target specific sub-sets of SMMEs and farmers.
- Increase financial sector intermediation to support investment and growth.
The findings of MAP Lesotho were presented to representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Lesotho, Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Development Planning and United Nations Development Programme in 2014.
Download the diagnostic report
Download the synthesis report
Download the qualitative report
