Alfred Tora

The future of innovation in Fiji and the Pacific won’t be decided by talent; we already have that. It will be decided by whether we build the right environment for it to thrive.

Across the region, we’re already seeing what’s possible. From high-tech platforms like TicketMax Fiji to environmental innovators and practical, low-tech solutions like Trashboom Pacific, Pacific entrepreneurs are solving real problems in creative ways. Even initiatives like the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s first hackathon show that momentum is building.

But momentum alone isn’t enough.

I’ve been particularly interest in innovation and how to spark it. Phillipe Aghion’s Economics of Creative Destruction stipulates that new innovations can displace old technologies but it requires the right policies in place to support new entrants.

Right now, that’s where we’re falling short.

We’re currently in a sweet spot in the Pacific to innovate for resilient and adaptive solutions because we’re on the frontline of environmental changes but we need our governments to provide policies that support and encourage innovation. But too many government-backed monopolies still dominate the landscape—limiting competition, slowing innovation, and crowding out emerging businesses!

We need to build our private sector actors into self sustaining and competitive markets. Imagine a world where we’re able to launch global competitors in the environmental tech sector? Imagine if we could build MSME focused products and systems that could be used all over the world?

We can definitely do it, if we have the right environment that encourages iterative learning and growth. This is where national policies come in. We can only do so much accelerators and hackathons before startups and ideas stall for lack of capital and support from local communities.

So what do we do next?

We build better systems. We strengthen networks. And we listen—especially to small business owners navigating these challenges every day.

If you’re an MSME in Fiji or the Pacific:
Where have policies held you back?
How has relationality helped you succeed?
What would you change to unlock more growth?

Let’s build longer tables—and make sure more people have a seat.