A vision of financial inclusion for the South Pacific
In January 2000, Samoa became our initial and flagship microfinance institution of the SPBD Network. Today, SPBD Samoa is often used to launch new products and pilot initiatives. Our teams work in nearly every village in Samoa and have been financially sustainable since 2007. SPBD currently serves almost 20,000 families in Samoa, almost 60% of households.
Why Samoa?
Poverty in Samoa remains a challenge. According to the UN, 25% of all Samoan families live below the poverty line of US$2 per day. A substantial portion of the population continues to grapple with limited access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Additionally, issues such as limited infrastructure development in rural areas exacerbates the problem. Samoa has also been affected by external shocks such as the global economic downturn and, more recently, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPBD Samoa by the numbers
US $103M
Value of loans disbursed
since inception
118,400
Number of loans made
to hard-working women
18,500
Number of
Savings accounts
6,400
Number of
loans outstanding
“I am not weak anymore because of SPBD. I am strong.”
Felauai, SME Member (Sausage Maker, Produce, Taxi), Samoa
About Samoa
Samoa is considered the cultural heart of Polynesia. However, underdevelopment of the financial markets has been identified as a binding constraint to private sector development. There are four commercial banks (ANZ Bank, BSP Bank, National Bank of Samoa, and Samoa Commercial Bank) and other non-bank financial providers (such as the Development Bank of Samoa, the National Provident Fund, and SPBD Samoa) the country still ranked 98th out of 190 economies for ease of doing business (ranking from the best to the worst) in Doing Business 2019 (www.doingbusiness.org).
Latest News
SPBD Expands Services to Malaita
SOUTH Pacific Business Development (SPBD) officially opened its Auki branch on Thursday, expanding its microfinance services to women and small business operators in Malaita Province. The official opening was attended by women leaders, representatives from business houses, Malaita Provincial Government officials and Malaita Province Deputy Premier Randol Sifoni, who was the guest of honour. SPBD [...]
From $1,000 to $50,000: Tauala’s Journey Marks SPBD Samoa’s 125,000th Loan
When Tauala Apineru Pulou received her first South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) loan in 2013, it was WST$ 1,000 and enough to start a small baking business. She made donuts and pancakes and sold them in her community. Thirteen years later, the 59-year-old mother of five from Matatufu has become the recipient of SPBD Samoa’s [...]
New SPBD Korovou Branch to Boost Financial and Business Support for Women
Women in Korovou and the greater Tailevu North areas will now be able to get better support through South Pacific Business Development Microfinance after the opening of its new branch in Korovou. Speaking during the opening of the new branch, Korovou District Officer Salanieta Baleigau says women continue to face barriers in areas including education, [...]
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