Maseru: This National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP), which will be implemented from the fiscal year 2012/13 to 2016/17, succeeds the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the Interim National Development Framework (INDF). Like the PRSP and the INDF, it will also serve as an implementation strategy for the National Vision 2020 for the next five years.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning prepared the NSDP with the invaluable assistance of Technical Working Groups (TWGs), composed of technical staff, mainly from line Ministries and with participation by resident UN offices and other cooperating partners.
The contribution of the private sector, civil society, academia and other stakeholders was solicited mainly through nine Cluster Groups that were configured around the NSDP key strategic areas. The Clusters reviewed the work done by the TWGs. The NSDP secretariat consolidated the inputs of the Clusters and other stakeholders to produce an advanced draft of the NSDP, which was considered by Cabinet.
Thereafter, district consultation meetings were held, which had wide representation of stakeholders. This Growth and Development Strategic Framework is based on all of these inputs.
- The NSDP is organized into eight chapters.
Chapter 1 covers the background, providing a brief development review based on National vision 2020 targets and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Plan objectives.
Chapter 2 provides the context within which the plan was developed, mainly highlighting key population dynamics, natural setting, economic performance, international outlook and major challenges and opportunities facing Lesotho.
Chapter 3 defines the growth strategy, including the growth diagnostics, growth strategy, sources of growth and economic growth scenarios.
Chapter 4 presents the macroeconomic framework and compares simulations of the three growth scenarios and key economic projections up to 2020, which is the last year of implementation for National Vision 2020.
Chapter 5 shifts to the strategic framework which outlines the main sector or thematic area objectives and strategic actions under the six NSDP strategic goals.
Chapter 6 brings out key cross-cutting issues.
Chapter 7 sets out the implementation strategy.
- Readers can access the National Strategic Development Plan (202 pages, dated March 2012), here.
- Related Kingdom of Lesotho: Staff Report for the 2012 Article IV Consultation.
