$14M in loans and growing
SPBD Microfinance (Vanuatu) Ltd. began operation in April 2017. It is the fifth entity in our network of microfinance institutions in the region following the success of SPBD Samoa (2000), SPBD Tonga (2009), SPBD Fiji (2010) and SPBD Solomon Islands (2012). SPBD has disbursed 24,000 loans worth almost $14M USD in Vanuatu.
Why Vanuatu?
The Republic of Vanuatu is ranked 140 out of 190 countries in the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI). With a $2,800 USD GDP per capita, it is listed as one of the United Nations Least Developed Nations. Similarly, 65% of the population does not have access to electricity.
SPBD Vanuatu by the numbers
US $13.7M
Value of loans disbursed
since inception
24,000
Number of loans made to hard-working women since inception
9,400
Number of
savings accounts
4,300
Number of
loans outstanding
When disaster strikes, SPBD’s ability to access and mobilize to remote areas makes our team an effective relief organization. In March 2023, Vanuatu was hit by twin cyclones. Nearly 80% of the country was impacted. Thanks to a grant from MicroDreams ($550,000 NZD/ $350,000 USD), we distributed 2,272 relief kits to our clients containing food staples and a cash component of $130 NZD (to purchase necessities like diapers or medicine).
About Vanuatu
Vanuatu has perhaps the lowest formal-sector employment in the region at 15%. In the rural economy, where about 70% of the population find their livelihoods, only about 10% of the workforce is in formal employment. Most of the ni-Vanuatu living in rural areas are engaged in subsistence agriculture. There are three banks in Vanuatu: Australia New Zealand (ANZ), Bank South Pacific (BSP) and the National Bank of Vanuatu. ANZ is headquartered in Australia while BSP is headquartered in Papua New Guinea. Port Vila serves as the Vanuatu headquarters for all three banks.
Latest News
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SPBD Microfinance to Celebrate 25th Anniversary
South Pacific Business Development (SPBD), the South Pacific’s leading microfinance network, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in Apia this week. The celebration recognizes a quarter-century of empowering women and families through financial inclusion. SPBD’s mission is to improve the quality of life of underprivileged families by providing them meaningful economic opportunities to help lift them […]
Digicel Fiji and SPBD Connect Rural Women Entrepreneurs to MyCash
Digicel Fiji and SPBD Microfinance Fiji, a microfinance institution focused on rural village women, announced on Monday they will collaborate to deliver SPBD’s services to customers through Digicel’s MyCash mobile money platform. Under the agreement, SPBD members will be able to receive their microloans directly to their MyCash wallet, eliminating the inconvenience of needing to […]
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