Key Achievements and Outcomes
■ Comprehensive Needs Assessment: A detailed needs assessment was conducted to understand the specific challenges faced by innovation hubs in Lesotho. This assessment was crucial in identifying the most critical areas requiring capacity building to enable hubs to function more effectively and support their local entrepreneurs and startups. ■ Capacity Building for 14 Lesotho ESOs: A total of 14 ESOs in Lesotho were trained and mentored. The focus was on equipping these organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to provide impactful entrepreneurship support. The mentorship and training focused on enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality programs and services to entrepreneurs in their communities. ■ Improved Hub Effectiveness: The feedback gathered from the participating ESOs revealed that a significant percentage of them considered the capacity building sessions effective, leading to improved operations and a stronger ability to support local businesses. This had a direct impact on the quality of services provided to startups, fostering growth in Lesotho’s entrepreneurship sector. The impact of this initiative goes beyond just the hubs—it also directly contributes to the economic development of Lesotho by nurturing a more dynamic and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem. As the hubs improve, they can better support startups across various sectors, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and driving long-term economic growth. Impact Stories from the Field The ESO Lesotho Capacity Building Program has helped build a foundation for future success in Lesotho’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. One such example is a local innovation hub that, after receiving capacity building support, was able to refine its mentorship programs, providing more structured support to startups. This resulted in improved outcomes for young entrepreneurs, who now have access to the tools, guidance, and network they need to succeed. “The ESO Lesotho Program has taught us that it is essential for programs and activities to be structured and tailored to cater specifically to the needs and interests of entrepreneurs, ensuring that they are the focal point of these initiatives which has informed and strengthened the design of our initiative” - Snake Nation AfriLabs, in partnership with Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, has been key to helping Lesotho’s ESOs grow stronger, ensuring that the country’s entrepreneurs have the capacity they need to thrive. By supporting the innovation hubs, the program has helped catalyze a more robust entrepreneurship ecosystem that will continue to provide value to Lesotho’s economy for years to come.
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