Lesotho

On July 23, 2007 the MCC signed a five-year, $363 million compact with Lesotho.  The compact provides funding for urban and rural water system upgrades and expansion, a health sector project, and private sector development. 

MCA Status

Lesotho's compact with the MCC entered-into-force on September 17, 2008.  The compact projects focus on improving the provision of water supplies for industrial and domestic use, improving health outcomes, and removing barriers to foreign and local private sector investment.

Country Compact

Lesotho MCC compact

Lesotho's Monitoring and Evaluation plan

MCA-Lesotho website

Lesotho's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

Country Eligibility

In the FY2011 selection process, Lesotho scored above the median on all six Ruling Justly indicators, four of five Investing in People indicators, and four of six Economic Freedom indicators. Lesotho is a low income country.

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2011 selection indicators

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2010 selection indicators

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2009 selection indicators

Review Lesotho’s performance on the FY2008 selection indicators

Review Lesotho’s performance on the FY2007 selection indicators

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2006 selection indicators

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2005 selection indicators

Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2004 selection indicators

Learn more about the MCC's country selection process 

Country Facts

Data are for 2009 (or most recent year available)

Per capita income (GNI, current US$)	$980
Poverty rate ($2 a day)	62.3%
GDP growth (annual)	0.9%
Population, total	2,066,919
Rural population (% of total)	74%
Life expectancy	45 yrs
Literacy rate	90%

Source: World Development Indicators 2010

Lesotho Country Brief from the World Bank

Other U.S. Policies

USAID does not have a mission in Lesotho. However, USAID's Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) supports programs that benefit Lesotho.

Review the USAID strategy in RCSA

Other Donors

The top three donors to Lesotho in 2009 were:

Source: OECD/DAC Database
*ODA is Official Development Assistance

Other Resources

MCC Lesotho web page

Department of State country profile providing background on Lesotho's history and U.S.-Lesotho relations 

World Bank projects in Lesotho

U.S. Assistance