News | South Pacific Business Development

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, [...]

SPBD Founder Gregory Casagrande with women entrepreneurs at the SPBD market day in Suva.

Women Entrepreneurs Shine at SPBD Market Day

WOMEN micro-entrepreneurs from across Fiji gathered in Suva last week to celebrate SPBD’s (South Pacific Business Development) annual Market Day. More than 50 women showcased their small businesses, including sewing, handicrafts, and food products. The event was a celebration of women’s hard work and achievements through SPBD’s support over the years. “This is just a […]

SPBD Fiji director and general manager Elrico Munoz (with garland) is flanked by staff during a special ceremony to celebrate SPBD Fiji’s milestone disbursement of $125m in micro loans.

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) [...]

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Solomon Islands Marks Milestone: SBD $200 Million in Loans Disbursed

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Solomon Islands proudly announces a major milestone: SBD $200 million in loans disbursed since the organization’s founding. This achievement reflects SPBD’s unwavering commitment to advancing financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods for families across underserved communities in the Solomon Islands. Elizabeth Lae is a member of the Mbaranamba 2 […]

SPBD Recognises Women Creating Wave of Change Across Fiji

The celebration of the 15th South Pacific Business Development Businesswoman of the Year awards and Foundation Day media launch is not just a celebration, it is a movement that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary power of women entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are making a macro impact not only in their businesses but in their […]

SPBD Vanuatu Reaches VT2 Billion Microloan Milestone

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Vanuatu celebrated a major milestone this week at Saralana Park, marking the disbursement of over VT2 billion in microfinance loans to women entrepreneurs across the country. The event reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering women through financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. Speaking at the event, SPBD Microfinance Network Founder and President, […]