MORE than 12,000 women-led businesses have accessed financing in the past three years, as women now make up 38% of Fiji’s registered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The milestone reflects growing momentum under the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Finance Initiative Code.
Led by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initiative has brought together financial institutions, regulators and policymakers to address long-standing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs across the country.
Since Fiji joined the pilot phase in 2024, participating institutions have worked to improve lending practices, promote digital financial services and strengthen women’s participation in the formal economy.
RBF Governor Ariff Ali says women entrepreneurs play a critical role in Fiji’s economic development, describing the Code as a catalyst for empowerment, digital inclusion and sustainable growth.
He notes improvements in women’s access to financial services, increased uptake of digital platforms and growing female representation in leadership roles within the financial sector.
Financial institutions have also begun introducing products and services tailored to women-led enterprises, reflecting a broader shift toward more inclusive banking practices.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and national champion for the initiative, Eseta Nadakuitavuki, says closer alignment between policy, regulation and frontline services is key to sustaining progress and creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs.
As Fiji moves beyond the pilot phase, signatories have committed to strengthening sex-disaggregated data, expanding outreach to women-owned businesses and developing financial products that better meet their needs.
Government approval of a national definition for women-owned MSMEs is expected to further improve consistency and accountability across the financial system.