SPECIAL FEATURE
The OPEC Fund & Lesotho
Maphakamile Xingwana
Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Represents her country at international organizations such as, for example, the Green Environment Facility and the Southern African Development Community. Holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Change Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture.
To date, the OPEC Fund has approved 19 loans in the public sector for US$127.7 million in Lesotho. The OPEC Fund has also provided US$1.8 million in four national grants supporting solar energy, child care and emergency food aid. Example Dating back to 1988, the Oxbow- Mokhotlong Road Project is one of the OPEC Fund’s oldest engagements in the country and was renewed with a second stage in the 1990s. In total a contribution of US$3 million co-financed the upgrading of 109 km road to bitumen standards and the reconstruction of 72 km of gavel road from Oxbow to Mokhotlong in the North-East of the country.
so it’s clear that we’re suffering the consequences of other countries’ actions. That extends to food insecurity because climate change is directly impacting our agriculture and livestock sectors. At the very least we need to acquire seed varieties that are more resistant to the impacts of climate change, including higher temperatures and less water. OFQ : What was your verdict on the UN Climate Change Conference COP28? What are your hopes for the Loss and Damage Fund? MX: COP28 was the first UN Climate Change Conference attended by Lesotho. We had to work hard, but it was highly beneficial because it gave us the chance to meet a lot of people from many different organizations. It helped us to broaden our horizons and we quickly understood that there are opportunities to be seized from collaborations and partnerships. COP28 allowed us to explain our situation to the international community, helping us to gather information and devise new strategies. With regards to the Loss and Damage Fund our hopes are high. It took a long time to negotiate, but we
were extremely happy to see it agreed. I understand that there is going to be a board that governs the Fund, ensuring proper implementation, and I understand that the board will include one country from the south of Africa. I have volunteered my country for that. I also understand that the terms and conditions for accessing the Fund will not exclude developing countries like Lesotho. OFQ : How important are partnerships in our Regeneration of Landscape and Livelihood Project (ROLL)? MX: The relationships that I’ve seen within ROLL provide a conducive environment for a project to run. It is giving us strength day in, day out. Meanwhile, the people in the catchment areas have been made fully aware of their roles and responsibilities by the relevant ministries. That is the point of departure to improve livelihoods because people now understand the importance of conserving their natural resource base. The project is helping us to make our communities much more sustainable. Ultimately, we aim to seek a second phase that would eventually cover the entire country.
Regeneration of Landscape and Livelihood Project The ROLL project aims to improve livelihoods and promote resource-use practices, reducing environmental degradation in well over 2,000 villages inhabited by around half a million people. Of these, 40 percent will be women and 20 percent will be young people who will benefit from the creation of new income generating activities. Project components include a “Regeneration Coalition Facility”, gathering various stakeholders to identify promising measures, as well as a “Regeneration Opportunities Fund” to catalyze investments in land regeneration projects. Technical assistance is also being provided to rural SMEs wanting to shift to more sustainable practices, while seed funding is supporting research and development. The OPEC Fund is co-financing the program with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Global Environment Facility, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the government of Lesotho and others.
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