30 October 2025: Kiribati is now benefitting from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s (PIFS) E-Biz Plus program, a regional initiative designed to strengthen e-commerce capabilities and empower small businesses in the Pacific to participate more actively in the digital economy.
The program takes a four-step approach: developing e-commerce business toolkits, delivering training workshops, providing tailored coaching, and offering grants to selected businesses. Together, these activities will help build private sector capacity in Kiribati, open new market opportunities, and contribute to the long-term growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“Small businesses are a valuable contribution to our Blue Pacific,” said Zarak Khan, Director of Programmes & Initiatives at PIFS. “The launch of E-Biz Plus in Kiribati means local MSMEs can now access the tools, training, coaching, and grants they need to embrace e-commerce, strengthen trade capacity, and advance the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MTCIC), PIFS convened a validation meeting with the Kiribati National E-commerce Sub-committee, and the National Trade Advisory Committee to approve the two sectors of focus for the PIFS E-commerce Business Toolkits: tourism and general merchandise. This marks the first key step in the program’s implementation in Kiribati.
Since its pilot in 2023, the program has advanced the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, supporting over 100 businesses across the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. With funding from the Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP), the program now expands to Kiribati. This program is aligned with the ambitions of the Resources and Economic Development thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.
“PDEP’s support to E-Biz Plus in Kiribati shows how regional partnerships can turn digital opportunities into real gains for Pacific businesses,” said Aneth Kasebele, Regional Technical Specialist – Policy and Regulation, PDEP. “The lessons from Kiribati will help shape a more inclusive digital economy across the region.”
PDEP a joint initiative of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) — with financial support from the European Union and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: media@forumsec.org
