The leading provider of microfinance in Tonga
Following the success of SPBD Samoa, we successfully launched our first replication in the Kingdom of Tonga in 2009. SPBD Tonga reached financial sustainability within 18 months of inception and has disbursed more than US $87,000,000 in loans to hard-working women. SPBD operates on the four major islands/islands groups of Tonga.
Why Tonga?
Only 30% of Tongan women are employed and 40% of them are underemployed being engaged in subsistence farming, fishing, and handicrafts. 23% of the population lives below the poverty line. Opportunities for salaried employment are scarce.
SPBD Tonga by the numbers
US $87.3M
Value of loans disbursed
since inception
75,700
Number of loans made to
hard-working women since inception
10,400
Number of
savings accounts
4,800
Number of
loans outstanding
“I am very thrilled that SPBD has recognized my hard work and commitment to my business. I am very proud to be one of the many who has succeeded in using these loans to further my business.”
Pasiano, Weaver, Tonga
About Tonga
Tonga went through a period of violent civil unrest in 2006 but has since then enjoyed political stability. GDP per capita is about USD 3,700. Remittances form 24% of GDP and 82% of households benefit from them. Four private commercial banks are active in the country: BSP (Bank of South Pacific), ANZ, Malaysian Banking Finance (MBf Bank) and the Tonga Development Bank (TDB).
Latest News
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 […]
FDB and SPBD Fiji Sign Additional $1.5 Million Loan to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) and South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Fiji had officially signed an additional $1.5 million loan facility, reinforcing their ongoing partnership to support women entrepreneurs and microfinance initiatives across Fiji. This renewed commitment builds on the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions, which share a vision of fostering inclusive economic growth, [...]
Help us build their better future
Talk to us today about ways you can provide funding, get involved, or share their stories with the world.