ESO Lesotho Capacity Building Program
In many African countries, including Lesotho, innovation hubs and support organizations play a critical role in helping startups and entrepreneurs succeed. However, these hubs often face challenges such as limited resources, lack of trained staff, and a lack of access to the necessary tools to provide impactful services. The ESO Lesotho Capacity Building Program was developed to strengthen the nascent entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lesotho, which is critical for the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With funding from the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) Project and in partnership with the Lesotho Entrepreneurship Hub and Seed Financing Facility (LEHSFF), AfriLabs worked alongside Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct to implement a capacity building program for 14 Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) based in Lesotho. This project directly addressed these challenges by strengthening the capacity of the hubs, ensuring they are better equipped to serve their communities. By providing the necessary support to ESOs in Lesotho, the program helped ensure that local entrepreneurs have the right guidance, mentorship, and resources to succeed in their ventures. The program began by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of the innovation hubs in Lesotho to identify key areas for targeted capacity building. Following this, tailored support was provided to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lesotho, focusing on strengthening the ESOs’ ability to effectively support startups and entrepreneurs.
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