Rethabile Pitso
THE European Union (EU) in Lesotho has injected approximately M34.2 million into a project aimed at assisting the Bureau of Statistics (BOS) to upgrade its data management systems and enhance the production of accurate and reliable information.
The project, dubbed the Equitable Lesotho Project, was launched in Maseru this week and will run for three years, from September 2025 to September 2028. It is being implemented in partnership with French organisations, Expertise France and Insee.
BOS, a department under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, is responsible for collecting and producing data used to inform government policies. However, the institution has faced persistent challenges that have hindered the effective execution of its mandate, resulting in weak data management systems.
Speaking at the launch, BOS Director ’Malehloa Melato, cited uncoordinated efforts among ministries, a shortage of skilled personnel, and outdated systems as major setbacks.
“For a long time, ministries have been operating without proper communication and coordination, partly because planning units are headed by directors who are not easily persuaded,” Ms Melato said.
She added that this had contributed to the problem of disaggregated data, which is critical for properly grouping and analysing information.
“We urgently need this data so that we can adequately provide statistics on women, children and other specialised groups.”
She revealed that an assessment conducted in 2019 with the assistance of the EU showed that 47 percent of data was missing, undermining the country’s ability to effectively track development agendas, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Currently, Lesotho is able to produce measurable statistics for 63 percent of the indicators used to track the National Strategic Development Plan II, while only 66 percent of the indicators for monitoring the SDGs are covered. Ms Melato further noted a critical lack of disaggregated data on gender, disability and other vulnerabilities.
Equitable Lesotho Team Leader, Maxime Bonkoungou, also underscored the importance of accurate and reliable data in shaping effective public policies.
“Equitable Lesotho aims to promote the use of gender-sensitive and inclusive data for policymaking. We ensure that youth, children and women are taken into account in efforts to reduce multidimensional poverty in Lesotho. To do that, we need the right data,” Mr Bonkoungou said
He also said BOS had informed the project team of the need to recapture and properly analyse existing data stored in PDF format. With the support of representatives from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the project would equip institutions with tools to improve data analysis.
“If policymakers have relevant data for policy design, the ultimate outcome will be better decisions that improve the lives of the population.”
He added that the project would also address outdated legislation governing BOS.
“We need to strengthen the statistical system through modern laws. We have suggested that the current Statistics Act be transformed, as it is outdated. We had hoped the legal office would have progressed with the legislation even before the launch, given its urgency,” he said.
Mr Bonkoungou further noted that the project aims to capacitate BOS and MDA staff with modern tools and develop guidelines for inclusive data collection to ensure that no one — including vulnerable and often invisible groups — is left behind in national planning.
EU Ambassador, Mette Sunnergren, highlighted the importance of reliable statistical data, describing it as the backbone of effective governance.
“For the EU, supporting statistical systems is vital for fostering transparency, accountability and informed decision-making. Reliable data enables policymakers to develop strategies that truly respond to community needs,” Ms Sunnergren said.
She said the programme would provide technical assistance to BOS and ministerial statistical offices, with a focus on legal and strategic support, human resource development, and improved information and communication technology infrastructure.
“We aim to develop an actionable IT masterplan and establish a robust data security programme.”
She emphasised the urgency of enacting updated statistical legislation.
“The approval of the Statistics Act is a pivotal component of our programme. Many of our activities depend on its ratification. The Act will provide a strong legal framework to empower statistical institutions and improve data governance and management.
“Advancing this legislation will significantly enhance the effectiveness of our initiatives and ensure Lesotho is equipped with actionable data insights to meet its development needs,” she said.
