News | South Pacific Business Development

SPBD Fiji launches 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Awards

SPBD Fiji has officially launched its 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Awards. The Awards will be held under the theme, “Empowering Women, Strengthening Teams, Shaping Sustainable Futures.” Launching the Awards, SPBD Fiji Managing Director Lorraine Seeto said the event celebrated more than business success. “They celebrate courage over fear, determination over adversity, and hope over [...]

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SPBD Fiji Surpasses $150 Million in Loans to Women Entrepreneurs

More women across Fiji are starting businesses, supporting their families and improving their lives with the help of microfinance loans, according to South Pacific Business Development Fiji. The organisation has now disbursed more than $150 million in loans to women entrepreneurs around the country since it began operations in Fiji in 2010. SPBD Fiji Managing [...]

SPBD Fiji Relocates Nausori Branch Office, Expands Support for Women Entrepreneurs

SOUTH Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Fiji has officially relocated its Nausori Branch office to 14 Ross Street, marking another milestone in a 15-year journey of empowering women entrepreneurs in Fiji. The new office, blessed and opened by Reverend Savenaca Nakeke, Divisional Superintendent of the Nausori Methodist Division, was described as “a lighthouse that people can [...]

SPBD Solomon Islands Celebrates Milestone of USD $6 Million Crowdfunded through Kiva Partnership

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Solomon Islands, in partnership with Kiva, is proud to announce a major milestone: USD $6 million has now been crowdfunded by Kiva lenders to support micro-entrepreneurs across the Solomon Islands. This achievement highlights the shared commitment of SPBD and Kiva to advancing economic empowerment for women and underserved communities throughout […]

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 [...]