2025 - PRESENT

LESOTHO

Lesotho’s rural economy has long relied on wool and mohair, yet much of this production continues to be exported in raw form. We are taking steps to support greater value addition within the country, working with smallholders, artisans, and rural enterprises to strengthen fibre processing, design, and production capacity.

By building skills across the value chain, the new project aims to expand economic opportunities for rural households and contribute to more resilient, inclusive sector growth. We are working to promote climate-smart and environmentally responsible practices, helping communities adapt to increasingly challenging market and environmental conditions.

The intervention forms part of the Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project (WaMCoP), a partnership between the Government of Lesotho, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Since the 1800s, Lesotho’s sheep and Angora goats have provided wool and mohair – fibers valued for their quality and sheen. Raised mostly in small herds by rural farmers, these animals reflect traditional practices that still play a key role in the nation’s economy.

Wool and mohair accounts for 60% of agricultural exports and support more than 25% of the rural population. For roughly 45,000 households across the country, these natural materials provide income, jobs, and stability.

EFI’s intervention will include:

SMEs support to coordinate production, quality, and exports. Those will drive sector growth.
Training artisans and youth in design, artisanal production, business skills, ESG practices, and digital marketing;
Partnering with universities to align training with market needs;
Rebranding wool and mohair to highlight Lesotho’s heritage and sustainability;
Promoting products internationally through EFI’s network of fashion brands, events, and buyers.

The result will be a new generation of skilled artisans and creative entrepreneurs, empowered to participate in global value chains and contribute to Lesotho’s economic transformation. With climate-smart practices, ESG standards, and a focus on youth and women, EFI’s intervention will ensure that growth in the wool and mohair sector is inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented.