In a bold bid to turn fragmented efforts into focused action, a high-level ministerial meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica has set the wheels in motion for a national framework to drive iTaukei empowerment in Fiji.

The meeting, held early this week in the spirit of talanoa, open and inclusive dialogue, brought together key ministries to reassess and realign their approaches to indigenous development. Despite a growing number of well-intentioned programs targeting iTaukei advancement, DPM Kamikamica acknowledged that their collective impact has been dulled by duplication, gaps in delivery, and a lack of cohesive strategy.

“To truly deliver, we must shift from scattered interventions to strategic execution,” Kamikamica said, noting that public skepticism around government promises remains high without visible, lasting outcomes.

One of the meeting’s major outcomes was the decision for all ministries to take stock of existing iTaukei-focused initiatives. The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs will serve as the secretariat for this cross-agency stocktake, tasked with coordinating inputs and compiling a comprehensive landscape of projects, policies, and programs. This consolidated information will feed into the development of a long-term national roadmap for iTaukei empowerment.

Financial inclusion emerged as a key theme. Discussions highlighted the roles of the Fiji Development Bank and Merchant Finance in offering tailored support for indigenous entrepreneurs.

However, challenges such as low financial literacy and a weak saving culture remain prevalent. To tackle these issues, the Ministry of Education will be approached to explore integrating relevant concepts into the curriculum.

Land, equity, and infrastructure also featured prominently in the deliberations. The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) announced plans to establish four specialised entities to manage land use, investment, and development more effectively. There was also consensus around the need to review outdated legislation to ensure a more enabling environment for indigenous-led growth.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to create an iTaukei Empowerment Framework, which will serve as a national blueprint for coordinating future initiatives.

This initiative could mark a significant shift in how Fiji harnesses the cultural, economic, and social capital of its indigenous communities, transforming legacy challenges into lasting progress.

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