Press Release No. : 26/2026
Date : 10 September 2026
Press Release No 26 – RBF and HFC Bank Partner to Advance Fiji’s Innovation Hub Program
From left to right: Caroline Waqabaca, Chief Manager, Financial System Development (RBF); Ariff Ali, Governor (RBF); Rakesh Ram, Chief Executive Officer (HFC Bank); and Admond Chandra, Chief Operating Officer (HFC Bank).
The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) and Home Finance Company Pte Limited (HFC Bank) have renewed their partnership and sponsorship of the Fiji Innovation Hub’s Year Two Programme, reaffirming their shared commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
As Fiji’s only local commercial bank, HFC Bank recognises the importance of investing in local talent and creating opportunities for Fijian entrepreneurs to develop solutions that address the needs of their communities.
HFC Bank’s sponsorship of $50,000 will support key initiatives of the Fiji Innovation Hub, including the delivery of the Certificate of Applied Innovation, Uni Hackathon, Activator Cohort Two, Startup World Cup and the Fiji Fintech Festival. The assistance will also be used to enhance mentoring, networking and startup support programmes designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage ventures across Fiji.
RBF Governor, Ariff Ali, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a thriving innovation ecosystem. “HFC Bank was the first commercial bank and organisation from the private sector that supported the RBF in this initiative, and we acknowledge their recommitment as we embark on Year Two. The Fiji Innovation Hub continues to grow; partnerships such as this are essential in ensuring innovators have access to the networks, skills and support needed to turn promising ideas into impactful businesses. HFC Bank’s commitment reflects confidence in the potential of Fiji’s entrepreneurs and innovators to contribute to greater financial inclusion, economic resilience and sustainable growth. We are particularly encouraged to see Fiji’s only local commercial bank championing local innovation and investing in programs that can create the foundation of the startup ecosystem.”
HFC Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Ram, said “The partnership aligns with the Bank’s commitment to supporting innovation-led growth and empowering local entrepreneurs. As Fiji’s only local commercial bank, we believe we have a unique responsibility to support the ideas, talent and enterprises that will shape our country’s future. Local innovation is critical to solving local challenges and the best solutions often come from people who understand those challenges firsthand.”
Mr Ram added that “The partnership also reflects HFC Bank’s broader commitment to digital innovation, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. Through its support of the Fiji Innovation Hub, the Bank aims to help foster an environment where innovative ideas can be transformed into sustainable businesses that deliver economic and social impact.”
Established as a collaborative platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, the Fiji Innovation Hub supports founders, startups and innovators in developing inclusive, locally relevant solutions to economic, social and financial challenges. Through training programmes, accelerator initiatives, mentorship and ecosystem partnerships, the Hub seeks to strengthen Fiji’s innovation landscape and support the growth of future-focused enterprises.
Together, RBF and HFC Bank reaffirm their commitment to creating opportunities for innovation-led growth and ensuring that Fiji’s next generation of entrepreneurs has the support needed to turn ideas into viable and scalable ventures.
HFC Bank is part of a growing network of partners supporting the Fiji Innovation Hub, including the UNCDF and UNDP Pacific Digital Economy Programme sponsored by the European Union, the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, the Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Business Development and Public Enterprises, the Ministry of Policing and Communications, Fiji Development Bank, Mastercard, Fiji Airways and implementing partner Creative HQ.
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