On October 21, 2024, through the UNDP Lesotho office, Rwanda Cooperation welcomed a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho and exchanged knowledge on several transformational initiatives in Rwanda. Lesotho delegation believes some initiatives behind Rwanda’s transformation are customizable to accelerate Lesotho Government service delivery.

This delegation, led by the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng MAJARA, included other four (4) ministers: the Minister of Environment & Forestry, Public Works & Transport, Tourism, Sports, Arts & Culture, and Public Service, along with the UNDP Resident Representative in Lesotho. They are in Rwanda for a study visit from October 20th to 26th, 2024.

Lesotho’s study tour covers – Governance and Accountability, Performance Management, E-Governance, Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding, Environmental Governance, and Youth Empowerment.

Following the national elections in Lesotho in October 2022, a new government was formed with an achievable transformational agenda anchored on efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and delivering citizen-centred services.

According to the delegation, the new leadership led by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. NTSOKOANE Samuel MATEKANE has chosen Rwanda as one of the preferred choices for knowledge sharing in governance and accountability, performance management, e-governance, among other areas of mutual interests.

In June 2023, through the UNDP Lesotho Country Office, Rwanda Cooperation hosted a delegation of Lesotho’s cabinet ministers from June 21st to 25th, 2023. This delegation included four ministers and the UNDP Resident Representative. Thereafter, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 26, 2024, between the UNDP Lesotho Country Office and Rwanda Cooperation Initiative.

Rwanda Cooperation considers the MoU as a tool to operationalize the South-South and Triangular Cooperation for states and non-state actors in Global South and beyond.

Dr. Willy Mugenzi, the Chief Operations Officer of Rwanda Cooperation Initiative, warmly welcomed the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho and the entire delegation to Rwanda Cooperation.

He noted that Rwanda Cooperation was established in 2018 to promote and share innovative development initiatives through South-South and Triangular Cooperation. Since its inception, Rwanda Cooperation has hosted delegations from over 70 countries, including 76 delegates from Lesotho from 8 delegations. He noted how Rwanda-Lesotho cooperation is growing from strength to strengths as exemplified by the quality of reciprocal relations, number of high-level delegations and foreseeable undertakings between the two sister countries.

Dr. Mugenzi elaborated on Rwanda’s transformation journey post-1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, highlighting improvements in life expectancy, health insurance, poverty levels, financial inclusion, micro-financial systems, annual GDP growth and accountability mechanisms in place. He emphasized that countries come to Rwanda to benchmark on its home-grown initiatives and good practices, which are tailored to address specific country challenges and needs.

Referring to a recent visit to Lesotho by the RCI team, Dr. Mugenzi noted that Rwanda and Lesotho share many common challenges and opportunities. He believes that Rwanda’s good practices can be customized and implemented in Lesotho through mutual knowledge sharing and partnerships.

In her remarks, the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara, expressed her sincere gratitude for the warm welcome.

She acknowledged the challenges Lesotho has faced due to colonization but noted that they cannot compare to what Rwanda has endured. She emphasized Lesotho’s commitment to learning from Rwanda’s experiences to improve their country politically, socially, and economically. “Rwanda is a shinning beacon of hope for Lesotho and many other countries,” Justice Nthomeng Majara revealed.

Delegates asked various questions about Rwanda’s consistency in achieving results, reconciliation after genocide, managing external cultural influences, and the political landscape. Dr. Mugenzi responded by citing several initiatives that have transformed Rwanda, all anchored on visionary leadership and citizen ownership of processes and results.

He also highlighted to delegates Rwanda’s guiding strategic choices: Unity, Thinking Big, and Accountability, which have shaped the country’s success in very many aspects. He pointed examples confirming each of the foregoing choices.