South Pacific Business Development

By Temalesi Vono At just 31, Rabino Taratai of Rabi Island has been named the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year, recognising her determination and 10 years of building a business that supports her family and serves communities. Based in Savusavu, Taratai received the award at the 16th SPBD Foundation Day and Businesswoman of the Year [...]

By Andrianah Kole The South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Network hosted its annual Businesswoman Awards 2026 in Honiara on Friday, recognising the achievements and resilience of women entrepreneurs across Solomon Islands. The awards celebrated the success of women-owned businesses and highlighted the contribution of women’s economic empowerment to family livelihoods, stronger communities and national economic [...]

The Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) and South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) have strengthened their partnership with the launch of a $5 million loan facility that aims to empower women entrepreneurs across Solomon Islands. The loan facility was officially launched at the DBSI office in Honiara today, with the formal handover of a $5 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) today launched the Fiji Financial Services Demand Side Survey (DSS) 2025 Report, the country’s most comprehensive assessment of how Fijians access, use and benefit from financial services. The survey, conducted by Tebbutt Research with funding support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), interviewed 1,114 households nationwide between September and November [...]

SPBD Microfinance (Tonga) Ltd, part of the South Pacific's leading microfinance network dedicated to empowering women microentrepreneurs, is proud to announce a landmark achievement in its mission to transform lives and strengthen communities. The organization has now disbursed more than TOP $300 million in loans since commencing operations in Tonga in 2009. This remarkable milestone comes just one year [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]