Maseru — May 27, 2026 — The World Bank Group has approved a $50 million credit under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Lesotho (ASCENT–Lesotho) project to expand reliable, affordable electricity to nearly 147,000 residents and businesses. The initiative aims to reduce energy poverty, strengthen household incomes, and boost private sector growth through integrated electrification efforts across peri‑urban, rural, and highland communities.
ASCENT–Lesotho forms part of the regional ASCENT program, aligned with Mission 300, a joint World Bank–African Development Bank initiative to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Despite progress—household electricity access rose from 7% in 2004 to 59% in 2024—Lesotho still faces sharp disparities between urban and rural areas. Only 43% of rural households have electricity, compared to 84% in urban centers.
The project will expand grid connections and pilot off‑grid solar systems for remote communities, ensuring no household is left behind. It also includes technical assistance to support utility reform, strengthen national electrification planning, and promote clean cooking solutions.
According to Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, expanding sustainable electricity access is vital for reducing energy poverty and supporting small business growth. Dinara Djoldosheva, World Bank Country Representative for Lesotho, added that harnessing the nation’s abundant solar, wind, and hydropower resources will drive job creation and gender equity in energy access.
Beyond infrastructure, ASCENT–Lesotho will help build institutional capacity, improve energy security, and lay the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive energy sector. The project marks a major step toward Lesotho’s goal of universal access and economic empowerment through clean energy.
