Press Release No. : 12/2025
Date : 25 August 2025
Press Release No 12 – WE-FI Code
THREE MORE INSTITUTIONS JOIN THE WE-FI CODE TO CHAMPION GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN
Joining the ranks of earlier signatories, Kontiki Finance Ltd, Home Finance Company (HFC) Pte Ltd, and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund have officially signed the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WE-Fi) Code. The signing ceremony, held on 21 August 2025 and hosted by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), marked a significant milestone in Fiji’s journey toward inclusive economic development.
The WE-Fi Code represents a collective commitment by financial ecosystem stakeholders to expand access to finance for women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (WMSMEs). By doing so, it aims to unlock the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow their businesses and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader economy.
Signatories to the Code pledge to promote leadership through the appointment of gender champions, implement targeted policy actions to support WMSMEs and report annually on a core set of gender-disaggregated indicators.
Under the leadership of Fiji’s national Gender Champion, Ms Eseta Nadakuitavuki, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, the RBF has been at the forefront of efforts to foster greater inclusivity in access to capital, education, and entrepreneurial networks for women.
As one of 24 pilot countries globally selected to work with WE-Fi implementing partners, Fiji is a regional pioneer. The country stands to benefit from peer learning, capacity-building programs, enhanced policy frameworks, and stronger advocacy and dialogue, all of which ultimately leads to more effective implementation of its financial inclusion strategies.
In support of the Code, Permanent Secretary Nadakuitavuki stated “The WE-Fi Code is not just a framework; it is a catalyst for systemic change. By aligning leadership, data, and action, it empowers financial institutions, regulators, and development partners to close the gender finance gap and unlock up to $6 trillion economic potential of women-led enterprises in developing countries.”
Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Ariff Ali, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “The WE-Fi Code is a transformative commitment that will empower Fiji and potentially other Pacific Island nations to dismantle cultural and systemic barriers, enabling women entrepreneurs to access finance, grow their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic development.”
With the latest signatories, a total of 11 institutions have now pledged their support for the WE-Fi Code including the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, Fiji Development Bank, Merchant Finance Limited, Westpac Banking Corporation, South Pacific Business Development, South Pacific Stock Exchange, Kontiki Finance Ltd, HFC Bank and Sugar Cane Growers Fund.
RESERVE BANK OF FIJI
For further details, please contact:-
Communications Office
Telephone: (679) 3223 381 Email: info@rbf.gov.fj
Mr Mervin Singh – Manager Corporate Communications
Telephone: (679) 3223 229 Email: mervin@rbf.gov.fj