Economic impacts and job creation
A more reliable water supply has allowed businesses to operate consistently, supporting economic growth and employment.
The $430 million Metolong Dam water infrastructure program has supplied Lesotho's capital, preserved 48,000 jobs and created 6,000 new opportunities.
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Maseru, Lesotho
Lesotho has historically faced water shortages affecting textile industries and growing populations. Now with improved water delivery to both local users and regional textile operations, the capital city of Maseru and its surrounding communities are enjoying multi-pronged benefits, including improved public health, reduced infant and child mortality rates and increased productivity.
A more reliable water supply has allowed businesses to operate consistently, supporting economic growth and employment.
Access to clean water resulted in improved public health, reduced infant and child mortality rates and increased productivity.
Project teams kept communities abreast of developments and addressed potential problems with transparency.
The program ensured consistent water delivery to textile facilities, stabilizing this important industry and protecting jobs.
Beyond basic water access, the project delivered wide-ranging benefits. Additional social and environmental management initiatives included cultural resources management and development, land acquisition and resettlement and catchment management. For a landlocked nation with limited resources, this showed how water infrastructure investment generates ripple effects across health, industry and economic growth.
Learn how this project is delivering water for southern Africa's landlocked kingdom.