Maseru — The 2026/2027 Fiscal Year Budget places strong emphasis on building national resilience through fiscal discipline and inclusive growth driven by opportunity, digital advancement and institutional transformation.
The budget strategy is aimed at steering Lesotho towards self-reliance by prioritising resilience over vulnerability, productivity over dependence and opportunity over stagnation. It places enterprise at the centre of economic growth, while investing in infrastructure that expands opportunities and strengthening institutions that support long-term development.
Speaking in an interview with the Lesotho News Agency, economist Dr. Ratjomose Machema said the resilience approach has been a defining feature of the current government over the past two years.
He noted that the focus has shifted towards achieving sustainable, long-term results rather than short-term gains.
“Building economic resilience requires greater private sector involvement to enhance investment facilitation and create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth,” he said.
Dr. Machema added that the resilience-focused budgeting approach calls for patience and a clear understanding from stakeholders, as its outcomes are designed to materialise over time rather than immediately.
Meanwhile, the Agency has established that M9.7 billion has been proposed for the public sector and institutional strengthening. During the budget presentation, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning underscored the importance of accelerating the implementation of reforms to ensure the success of the proposed allocations.
The 2026/2027 budget comes at a time when the government remains guided by the short- and medium-term policy framework anchored in the extended National Strategic Development Plan II. Key priority sectors include agriculture, tourism and technology, among others.
ENDS/AM/BM