The Ministry of Commerce and Business Development (Ministry), together with the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) and the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) announces that the commencement of the Access to Business Funding Act 2025 (the Act) from 1 December 2025. This marks a significant milestone in expanding financing options for businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises in Fiji.
This Act now modernises the legal framework that enables private companies and other businesses to access investor and lender funding through innovative mechanisms. The reforms are designed to reduce long‑standing barriers to finance for MSMEs and other enterprises by creating clear, regulated pathways for raising capital beyond traditional bank lending.
Beginning with the new Small Offers regime, private companies will now be allowed to raise up to FJ$2 million in any 12‑month period from a maximum of 48 investors, subject to investor caps and disclosure requirements. Small Offers simplifies compliance for businesses while maintaining robust investor protections, including limits for retail, sophisticated and wholesale investors and a requirement to lodge a Basic Information Package with RBF before any offer is made.
The Act and Regulations for Small Offers give MSMEs an additional, flexible avenue to raise equity capital from people and institutions that already know and support their business, complementing existing government grant and loan schemes. This is not a government grant or subsidy, but a regulated investment pathway that connects businesses with private investors and financial institutions, unlocking new sources of growth capital and supporting job creation. The Ministry will host an information session for businesses interested in learning more about the Act and the Small Offers regime.
While addressing Parliament during the November sitting, the Minister for Commerce and Business Development, Hon. Esrom Immanuel, highlighted that the Act represents a major step forward in tackling long‑standing challenges faced by MSMEs, including limited access to credit, collateral requirements and high borrowing costs. “The Access to Business Funding Act is a game changer for our MSMEs,” said Hon. Immanuel. “It creates clear, regulated pathways for entrepreneurs to attract investment, grow their businesses and drive new opportunities for employment and innovation across Fiji.”
RBF Governor Ariff Ali said “This reform opens alternative avenues to access finance, providing MSMEs with innovative financing options under a robust governance framework. It strikes the right balance between streamlined requirements, investor protection, and proportionate disclosure,” said Governor Ariff Ali. “This initiative reinforces our commitment to improving MSME access to finance and advancing financial inclusion.”
”PSDI is pleased to support the Government of Fiji and RBF in the implementation of this important new legislation expanding fundraising avenues for MSMEs through innovative financing mechanisms. As the first of its kind in the Pacific, it represents an important step forward for Fiji and for the region” said Jeremy Cleaver, Senior Finance Sector Specialist with PSDI.
An Implementation Taskforce, comprising the Ministry, the Registrar of Companies, the Office of the Solicitor – General, the RBF, the MSME Council and technical partners and sponsor PSDI, continue to oversee phased implementation of the new framework. This includes the work on equity and debt crowdfunding mechanisms that will build on the Small Offers regime, as well as targeted awareness and education programmes so that MSMEs and investors understand both the opportunities and obligations under the new law.
Furthermore, as part of the next phase in early 2026, the Implementation Taskforce will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and support a qualified respondent to establish Fiji’s first Peer‑to‑Peer (P2P) Lending Platform. The Taskforce intends to invite proposals from software developers, fintech companies, financial service providers and consortia to design, develop and deploy a secure, scalable and user‑friendly platform operating under the Act to expand financing options for MSMEs. An awareness workshop is scheduled for mid-January 2026 to discuss platform features and the RFP details.
For further information, businesses can contact the MSME Fiji Unit via the MSME Helpline on 163, Viber on 9986014, or email support@msme.mcttt.gov.fj, and will soon be able to access guidance materials on the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development’s website and MSME Fiji platforms.
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