In his address to participants at the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, Japan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica disclosed Fiji’s ongoing digital transformation plan that positions the country as a rising ICT hub in the Pacific.
The DPM made a compelling case for Fiji’s emergence as a regional digital leader. Speaking on the theme of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure and Accessibility, DPM Kamikamica emphasised the country’s strategic efforts to overcome its geographical isolation through cutting-edge technology and targeted investment.
“We do not just build infrastructure,” the DPM stated, “We build sustainable lifelines that connect communities.”
Central to Fiji’s digital push is its newly launched National Digital Strategy 2025–2030, described as a national compass toward inclusive and resilient digital transformation. Among its cornerstone projects is the Google subsea cable investment, which will strengthen internet capacity across the Pacific.
Expected to generate over 3,600 jobs and contribute an estimated US$250 million to the national GDP by 2030, the initiative reflects growing global confidence in Fiji’s potential as a digital hub. The project is more than an economic booster, it’s a regional game changer, promising broader connectivity for island nations long underserved by global infrastructure.
DPM Kamikamica also highlighted the arrival of Starlink in Fiji, calling it a “significant milestone” for bridging the last-mile digital divide. The satellite service, powered by a low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation, has already proven its worth in disaster contexts, such as reconnecting Tonga after its 2022 volcanic eruption.
In Fiji’s case, Starlink now empowers remote communities with reliable internet and, through projects like the Smart Islands Programme, is transforming lives. A notable example is the Smart Classroom initiative on the island of Rotuma, which gives 171 students access to cutting-edge educational tools and community Wi-Fi, highlighting the inclusive spirit driving Fiji’s digital development.
Fiber connectivity remains a critical foundation of this transformation. Adding to this the DPM mentioned that the launch of the new fibre optic link on Vanua Levu. The project directly connects the Northern Division’s two main economic centre via domestic submarine cables, setting the stage for the impending rollout of 5G. DPM Kamikamica was deliberate in assuring that this upgrade would be “technically sound, economically rational, and socially inclusive,” aligning with the national goal of building a robust, future-proof digital ecosystem.
Importantly, Fiji is not treating digital access as a purely infrastructural matter. Cybersecurity is being integrated as a core pillar of sustainability, with new assessments guiding a National Cybersecurity Strategy and operationalisation of a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Recent international commitments, including accession to the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention and the UN Cybercrime Treaty, reflect Fiji’s intent to secure its digital transformation from threats and misuse.
The DPM Kamikamica also called for continued collaboration, stressing that a connected Pacific must also be an inclusive one, where digital tools uplift every community, no matter how remote.
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