A vision of financial inclusion for the South Pacific

In January 2000, Samoa became our initial and flagship microfinance institution of the SPBD Network. Today, SPBD Samoa is often used to launch new products and pilot initiatives. Our teams work in nearly every village in Samoa and have been financially sustainable since 2007. SPBD currently serves almost 20,000 families in Samoa, almost 60% of households.

Why Samoa?

Poverty in Samoa remains a challenge. According to the UN, 25% of all Samoan families live below the poverty line of US$2 per day. A substantial portion of the population continues to grapple with limited access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Additionally, issues such as limited infrastructure development in rural areas exacerbates the problem. Samoa has also been affected by external shocks such as the global economic downturn and, more recently, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPBD Samoa by the numbers

US $103M

Value of loans disbursed
since inception

118,400

Number of loans made
to hard-working women

18,500

Number of
Savings accounts

6,400

Number of
loans outstanding

“I am not weak anymore because of SPBD. I am strong.”

Felauai, SME Member (Sausage Maker, Produce, Taxi), Samoa

Watch Felauai tell her SPBD story

About Samoa

Samoa is considered the cultural heart of Polynesia. However, underdevelopment of the financial markets has been identified as a binding constraint to private sector development. There are four commercial banks (ANZ Bank, BSP Bank, National Bank of Samoa, and Samoa Commercial Bank) and other non-bank financial providers (such as the Development Bank of Samoa, the National Provident Fund, and SPBD Samoa) the country still ranked 98th out of 190 economies for ease of doing business (ranking from the best to the worst) in Doing Business 2019 (www.doingbusiness.org).

Latest News

Three-day workshop for women entrepreneurs

In a stride towards their shared goal of uplifting woman entrepreneurs, South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) and the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs and Communications organised a business training workshop in Taveuni. The Improve Your Business training workshop was attended by 16 women members of SPBD. The women attained Certificates of Completion after three days […]

SPBD businesswomen lauded at annual awards

The Vodafone Arena in Suva last week was full-packed with radiant businesswomen celebrating their efforts at the 12th annual South Pacific Business Development awards. SPBD Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Casagrande, commended the women for their extraordinary determination and courage, stating: “Those qualities have helped each of you to endure and to pull through to […]

SPBD Solomon Islands celebrates the launch of its “White Goods Financing” product

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Microfinance Solomon Islands Ltd is proud to announce the official launch of its newest loan product, “White Goods Financing,” in collaboration with Discount Electricals and Home Leisure (DEHL), one of the largest white goods distributors in the Solomon Islands. The “White Goods Financing” product will allow SPBD clients to access […]

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