Program (LEAP) is designed to strengthen human and institutional capacity of the private businesses, mostly Basotho-owned MSMEs, as well as their representative organizations. This is done through provision of financial and technical assistance. The ultimate objective is to build international competitiveness in private businesses; build the capacity of private business and professional associations and of chambers to better serve their members; and support to institutionalize private-public dialogue. The assistance will be provided through a Matching Grant
Scheme (MGS) under the LEAP program as follows:

Direct assistance to individual private firms, through mentoring assistance and provision o f cost-sharing grants for the use o f specialized services. LEAP will cover 60% o f the cost of service fees and of invoiced travel costs on a reimbursement basis. The firm itself will cover the remaining 40% of the cost.

Cost-sharing grant assistance to representative business and professional associations and chambers to build their capacity to better serve their members. LEAP will cover 75% of the costs of service fees and associated travel costs for the use o f external services on a reimbursement basis.


LEAP HIV/AIDS grants will support expenditures by businesses for contracting outside specialists to conduct on-site HIV testing at the firm's premises.

All of the above activities are to be funded through grants, consultants' services, training and workshops (IDA and GOL) and operational costs (GOL).


How is the program’s impact measured?
Measurement of the impact of LEAP will be assessed by growth of sales. Sales are expected to grow because, LEAP, through its grant and mentoring facility will help business improve its performance all round by removing constraints and barriers.

Who is eligible for assistance?
All types of business organisations, sole-proprietorships, companies and partnerships will be considered as long as they are engaged in legitimate operations. For representative organisations, the program will consider request for assistance from all that are registered and have audited financial and membership records.

How do I join the program?
Members of the business community are advised to approach the LEAP manager at the offices of the Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Diversification Project to discuss their needs. They will be issued with application forms to complete.
Applicants will be assisted on a first come first served basis.

For more information please contact: info@psc.org.ls

[Fore more information, download the entire LEAP Operation Manual here    141 Kb ]