Lesotho

Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a small country that sits high above sea level. It is entirely surrounded by South Africa, separated from the larger country by mountain ranges. Most of Lesotho’s population lives on lower land to the west. 

Secretariat support for Lesotho 

Anti-corruption 

The Secretariat is helping the Lesotho government fight corruption. One strategy is to publicise bids and contracts when it buys goods and services. 

With Commonwealth's help, Lesotho has made progress in implementing anti-corruption plans. It has a relatively good score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. 

Tackling corruption

Education 

Lesotho has used the Commonwealth Education Policy Framework to help it improve governance and capacity in its education system. 

The Secretariat is working with Lesotho to address problems in boys’ education. 

Education work

Gender equality 

The Secretariat helped Lesotho collect data to measure the economic cost of violence against women and girls (VAWG). It developed a tool to measure this cost, with Lesotho as the second case study. 

Gender equality work

Trade 

In December 2019, the Secretariat experts worked with Lesotho to review its trade policy. They also helped the country explore new products and new markets for export. 

Trade work

Natural resources 

The Secretariat advised Lesotho on engaging with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) more successfully. It helped the country learn about its legal responsibilities, ISA regulations and the ISA payment system. 

Natural resources work

Find out more 

Learn more about the Secretariat's work

Total population

Key Facts

Population
2.14 million (2022)
Area
30,350 square kilometres
Capital city
Maseru
Joined the Commonwealth
1966, following independence from Britain