Accra:HE Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane, has emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between private sectors in developed and developing countries to support a balanced global economy. During his address at the 9th World Investment Forum 2026, he highlighted the critical transformations occurring in the global investment landscape due to technological advancements, climate challenges, and geopolitical uncertainties.
According to Qatar News Agency, Prime Minister Matekane discussed the vulnerabilities faced by developing nations, particularly the least developed countries, while noting the new investment opportunities in trade and business. He stressed the need for joint ventures and close business partnerships to provide funding for small, medium, and micro-enterprises, which are vital for economic development.
The Prime Minister called for the strengthening of local and regional supply chains and the creation of effective links between foreign investors and local exporters. He highlighted the necessity for investments to contribute to local economies through knowledge transfer, job creation, and enterprise empowerment, enabling participation in regional and global value chains.
Matekane also underscored the relationship between investment and human capital development, especially in light of digital transformation and evolving production systems. He emphasized the need for youth to acquire technical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills to seize emerging economic opportunities, and stressed the importance of investing in individuals alongside physical infrastructure.
He further advocated for development aid to complement and stimulate productive private investment, particularly where funding gaps and infrastructure deficits hamper investment flows. The forum's theme, "Investing in the Future," was a call to the international community to focus on building a better global economy for future generations.
Prime Minister Matekane envisioned a future where landlocked developing countries overcome geographic constraints, least developed countries surmount structural trade barriers, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises access global markets. He urged for investments that transform economies, strengthen partnerships, and expand trade, ensuring all countries benefit from global growth.
