$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
SPBD Disburses a Record $125m in Micro Loans
Microfinance network South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Fiji has disbursed a record $125million in loans to women-owned and managed businesses in its 14 years of operation in the country. This comes only a year after reaching $100m in cumulative loan disbursements to more than 7000 empowered women entrepreneurs who are managing thriving businesses and transforming […]
SPBD Tonga Celebrates Women’s Microenterprise Success Over 15 Years of Service
South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Tonga marked a significant milestone—15 years of dedicated service in the Kingdom of Tonga—with a grand celebration recognizing the remarkable achievements of female entrepreneurs at its Annual Business Women of the Year Awards, held on 20 June 2025, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall in Nukuʻalofa. The prestigious awards ceremony honored [...]
Historic First: SPBD Solomon Islands Businesswomen Awards
SPBD Solomon Islands honors women entrepreneurs at its first Businesswomen of the Year Awards in Honiara. A groundbreaking milestone was achieved on the morning of Friday 27th June 2025, as SPBD Solomon Islands successfully hosted its first-ever Businesswomen of the Year Awards at St. Barnabas Cathedral Hall in Honiara. Organized by South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) [...]
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