the challenges facing landlocked developing countries: a case study ...

LESOTHO
Surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho is completely dependent
on its only neighbor’s well-developed transport system for its
external trade, which is primarily directed towards North
America. Such unilateral dependence negates many of the
advantages associated with Lesotho’s proximity to the port of
Durban (575km) and the good condition of its surrounding
infrastructure. Lesotho’s transport challenges are further
complicated by the highly mountainous, rugged terrain of the
eastern highlands, which prevent the direct eastward transport
of freight from the capital, Maseru, to the port of Durban.
Reflecting the severe effects of Lesotho’s dependence and its
geographical constraints, Limao and Venables (1999) reported
that the cost of shipping a 40’ container from Baltimore
(USA) via Durban to Maseru (Lesotho) is US$10,000,
compared to only US$5,000 to Lusaka (Zambia) which is
1,300km and several border crossings further.
BASIC INFORMATION
HDI Rank: 132
GDP per capita
2000 (PPP$): $2,031
Exports per capita
2000 (current USD): $126
Distance to port:
575km
Transport cost ratio
(2000): 0.12
Neighbors:
South Africa
Primary transit countries:
South Africa
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Road
Lesotho’s main roads, many of which provide links to the
well-developed South African corridor roads, are generally
good. A 1995 survey reported that 84% of Lesotho’s paved
roads are in “good” condition, while only 5% are considered
“poor.” Lesotho, however, continues to face the challenge of
providing all-weather access to the highlands. To deal with
this problem, the government initiated a US$40 million Road
Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project in 1996. The
construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Development
Project has led to the further improvement of many such
interior roads.
Main trading partners (2001):
Imports: SACU (83%)
Exports: North America (63%)
-EIU
Primary Exports:
Textiles, Footware
Domestic Roads: good
Transit Country Roads: good
Domestic Rails: n/a
Transit Country Rails: good
Transit Country Ports: good
Neighboring Civil Conflict:
low
Relations w/ Neighbors:
good
Rail
The only rail in Lesotho is a 2.6 km segment of the South African railway system that
extends from the South African border to Maseru. The railway is both owned and operated
by South Africa. The South African rail system to which Lesotho connects is of very good
quality.
Ports
All of Lesotho’s import and export traffic is routed through South African ports, in particular
Durban. These ports are considered to be the most efficient in the region.
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