Lesotho Digital Economy Diagnostic
Lesotho is a landlocked country with a population of about 2.0 million people. Lesotho’s private sector makes limited use of digital technologies. In the private sector, digital technology can change the way economies of scale are achieved, particu...
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| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/196401591179805910/Lesotho-Digital-Economy-Diagnostic http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33881 |
| Summary: | Lesotho is a landlocked country with a
population of about 2.0 million people. Lesotho’s private
sector makes limited use of digital technologies. In the
private sector, digital technology can change the way
economies of scale are achieved, particularly through
e-commerce and digital payments. The digital economy may
provide the better matching of buyers and sellers in a
competitive marketplace. The digital economy offers
potential for enhanced service delivery in the public
sector, but the Lesotho government’s efforts in this field
appear fragmented and slow moving. Improved digital
infrastructure can only achieve the desired transformational
impact if combined with a capable public sector, investments
in digital skills and literacy, increased access to digital
financial services, and ramped up support for digital
start-ups and existing businesses. A holistic view to
developing the digital economy is required. This report will
provide a diagnostic and offer recommendations on the five
foundations of the digital economy in Lesotho. The report
will examine, in turn, challenges concerning the policy and
legal environment, digital infrastructure, public digital
platforms, private digital platforms, digital financial
services, digital entrepreneurship, and digital skills. This
report reviews how the digital divide affects the
foundations of the digital economy and provides policy
options for bridging the digital divide. |
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