Merchant Finance Ltd has introduced a new loan scheme designed specifically to support women entrepreneurs in Fiji. The initiative reflects a wider effort by the government and financial institutions to encourage female-led businesses and increase economic participation.
The new Women’s Business Loan offers reduced interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and fewer collateral requirements, making it easier for women to access funding for business expansion. The chief executive of Merchant Finance Ltd said that while many women in Fiji run successful businesses, lack of access to finance remains a barrier to growth.
Loans will range from FJD 5,000 to FJD 100,000, with applicants receiving additional support in financial literacy, budgeting, and business planning. Many of the businesses expected to benefit from this initiative operate in retail, agribusiness, handicrafts, and tourism.
One entrepreneur in Suva, who runs a handicraft business, said that the loan would allow her to expand her operations and hire more workers. The Reserve Bank of Fiji has been encouraging financial institutions to introduce lending schemes tailored to women entrepreneurs, recognising their role in job creation and economic development.
This new scheme is expected to increase opportunities for women-led enterprises, strengthening Fiji’s small business sector, and contributing to long-term economic resilience.
