Month: October 2026

The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), in partnership with Business Link Pacific (BLP), has officially launched the BLP Programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating at Unity Mall and City Hub in Port Moresby.

The launch, held at Unity Mall on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, marked an important step towards strengthening local businesses, particularly women-led enterprises, through improved access to business advisory services, financial literacy training and financial support opportunities.

The launch reinforced the shared commitment of CEFI, the New Zealand Government, BLP, Unity Mall and City Hub to strengthening Papua New Guinea’s MSME sector through accessible financial services, business development support and sustainable economic opportunities.

Through this partnership, CEFI aims to encourage greater participation by women entrepreneurs, improve business capabilities and support the growth of resilient enterprises that contribute to employment creation and economic development.

The event brought together representatives from the New Zealand High Commission, CEFI, Unity Mall, City Hub, BLP beneficiaries and members of the local business community.

CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, reaffirmed CEFI’s commitment to empowering MSMEs by improving access to financial services and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth.

Mr Samuel highlighted the importance of the BLP Programme in strengthening small businesses and supporting their transition into the formal financial sector.

He thanked the New Zealand High Commission for its continued support of the programme, acknowledging the New Zealand Government’s contribution through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Mr Samuel also expressed his appreciation to Mr Eric Haiara, Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, and Captain Clarke Piokole, Manager of City Hub, for their wisdom and vision in creating dedicated commercial spaces for women in business and female entrepreneurs.

He emphasised that the programme would connect entrepreneurs with professional business advisory services and opportunities to access grants, subsidies and concessional loans to strengthen and expand their operations.

Mr Samuel announced that CEFI would station two officers at Unity Mall three days a week to assist business owners in accessing available support services.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of these opportunities, noting that stronger businesses would contribute to employment creation, economic empowerment and greater financial inclusion across Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, stated that the New Zealand Government is committed to supporting MSME development and strengthening economic opportunities through its partnership with CEFI.

Mr Gillard highlighted the achievements of the BLP Programme, which has operated in Papua New Guinea for the past decade and supported more than 1,150 small businesses through business diagnostics, advisory services, concessional loans and grants.

He acknowledged the important contribution of MSMEs to the national economy, noting that more than 50,000 registered MSMEs accounted for approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the country’s economic activity.

Mr Gillard commended the determination of local entrepreneurs who invest their resources in establishing businesses, improving livelihoods and creating opportunities for their families and communities.

He welcomed the establishment of a BLP support desk at Unity Mall through the partnership with CEFI, describing the initiative as an important step towards bringing business development information, advisory services and financial opportunities closer to entrepreneurs.

Mr Gillard also recognised Unity Mall and City Hub as valuable platforms for connecting MSMEs with business networks and professional support services.

Mr Eric Haiara, Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, thanked CEFI and BLP for recognising Unity Mall as an important platform for supporting local businesses.

Mr Haiara explained that Unity Mall was established six years ago as a social enterprise to provide affordable business opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

He revealed that the mall currently accommodates approximately 120 MSMEs, with women representing 95 per cent of its entrepreneurs.

Mr Haiara emphasised that access to finance, financial literacy and professional business development support were essential to helping MSMEs strengthen their operations and achieve sustainable growth.

Drawing on his family’s positive experience with BLP assistance, he encouraged entrepreneurs to seek professional advice and participate in programmes that improve their financial management and business capabilities.

He reiterated Unity Mall’s commitment to working with CEFI and BLP to empower women entrepreneurs and strengthen local enterprises.

Captain Clarke Piokole, Manager of City Hub, described the partnership between CEFI and BLP, as an opportunity to bring financial literacy training, business advisory services and mentorship directly to entrepreneurs.

Captain Piokole encouraged MSMEs to utilise these services to strengthen their operations, improve business performance and develop sustainable enterprises capable of expansion.

He also acknowledged the New Zealand Government, CEFI and Unity Mall management for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed his commitment to building a thriving business environment that promotes entrepreneurship and employment creation.

The launch also featured a BLP Programme overview presented by CEFI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Coordinator, Ms Daisy Moses, who outlined the programme’s role in supporting MSMEs and connecting entrepreneurs with business development opportunities.

Two BLP beneficiaries also shared their experiences during the event. Ms Janet Yagur, Chief Executive Officer of CJ Valuers, and Ms Ruth Kiage, Owner of Ezer Food Supplies, delivered testimonies highlighting their experiences as entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of the BLP Programme.

Their participation provided an opportunity for fellow business owners to hear directly from entrepreneurs who have accessed support through the programme.

Representatives from Women’s Micro Bank (Mama Bank), MiBank, SME Corporation, the MSME Council and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) wree also present to witness the launch.

 

 

 

Ends.

 

For more information on the Business Link Pacific Program, for Port Moresby, contact;

 

Ms Daisy Moses – dmmoses@thecefi.org

Adelle Auhava –  aauhava@thecefi.org

 

 

Image Captions

Image 1 – Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, cuts the ribbon to officially launch the Business Link Pacific (BLP) Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs. Witnessing the occasion are CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel; City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole; and Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, Mr Eric Haiara.

Image 2 – Celebrating the Official Launch

His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, joins CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel; City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole; and Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, Mr Eric Haiara, in celebrating the official launch of the BLP Programme following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Image 3 – Group Photograph with Invited Guests

Invited guests join His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea; CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel; City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole; and Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, Mr Eric Haiara, for a group photograph following the official launch of the BLP Programme.

Image 4 – Deputy High Commissioner with BLP Recipients

His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, poses for a photograph with two BLP Programme recipients, Ms Janet Yagur, Chief Executive Officer of CJ Valuers (front left), and Ms Ruth Kiage, owner of Ezer Food Supplies, in front of the official launch banner.

Image 5 – BLP Recipient at Unity Mall

Ms Ruth Kiage, owner of Ezer Food Supplies and a recipient of the BLP Programme, stands in front of a food stall at Unity Mall in Port Moresby.

Image 6 – Official Programme Launch Banner

The official banner marking the launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs, held at Unity Mall in Port Moresby on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

Image 7 – CEFI Staff Group Photograph

CEFI staff pose for a group photograph with Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel (third from left), and City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole (second from right), following the official launch of the BLP Programme at Unity Mall.

Image 8 – CEFI and City Hub Representatives

From left: CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel; City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole; and CEFI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Coordinator, Ms Daisy Moses, pose for a photograph following the official launch of the BLP Programme.

Image 9 – CEFI and City Hub Leadership

CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, shares a light-hearted moment with City Hub Manager, Captain Clark Piokole, during the BLP Programme launch at Unity Mall in Port Moresby.

Image 10 – CEFI Acting Executive Director Delivers Opening Remarks

CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, delivers the official opening remarks at the launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs.

Image 11 – New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Delivers Keynote Address

His Excellency Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, delivers the keynote address during the official launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs.

Image 12 – Unity Mall Executive Chairman Addresses Guests

Mr Eric Haiara, Executive Chairman of Unity Mall and Supermarket, addresses invited guests during the official launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs.

Image 13 – City Hub Manager Addresses the Launch

Captain Clark Piokole, City Hub Manager, delivers his remarks during the official launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs.

Image 14 – Ezer Food Supplies Owner Shares Her Experience

Ms Ruth Kiage, owner of Ezer Food Supplies and a BLP Programme recipient, shares her business experience and testimonial during the official launch of the programme at Unity Mall.

Image 15 – CJ Valuers CEO Shares Her Testimonial

Ms Janet Yagur, Chief Executive Officer of CJ Valuers and a BLP Programme recipient, shares her business experience and testimonial during the official launch of the programme at Unity Mall.

Image 16 – BLP Recipient Addresses Invited Guests

Ms Janet Yagur, Chief Executive Officer of CJ Valuers, addresses invited guests while sharing her testimonial as a recipient of the Business Link Pacific Programme during the official launch at Unity Mall.

Image 17 – CEFI GESI Coordinator Presents Programme Overview

CEFI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Coordinator, Ms Daisy Moses, presents an overview of the Business Link Pacific Programme during its official launch for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs.

Image 18 – Stakeholders Attend Official Launch

Representatives from Women’s Micro Bank (Mama Bank), MiBank, SME Corporation, the MSME Council and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) attend the official launch of the Business Link Pacific Programme for Unity Mall and City Hub MSMEs at Unity Mall in Port Moresby.

 

 

 

About CEFI

CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24^th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and monitoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.

CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.

Visit our website – www.thecefi.org

Media Contact:

Mr. Leslie Omaro

Communication Officer

Phone: 79736883

Email: lomaro@thecefi.org

The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the East Sepik Provincial Administration (ESPA) have formalised a significant partnership aimed at strengthening financial inclusion, expanding access to financial services and building financial capability across East Sepik Province.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Wewak on Thursday, 1 October 2026, providing a framework for CEFI and ESPA to coordinate and implement financial inclusion initiatives throughout the province.

Speaking at the signing, CEFI Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, provided a brief background on the establishment of CEFI and the development of financial inclusion efforts in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Samuel said these efforts emerged from the need to address market failures on both the demand and supply sides of financial services, particularly for people at the grassroots level who had limited access to commercial banking products and services.

He said the Microfinance Expansion Project began in 2010 to address these challenges. Financial Literacy Training and Micro-Banks were introduced to strengthen the ability of people to understand and use financial services, while efforts were also made to address gaps in the availability of financial products suited to the needs of grassroots communities.

CEFI was subsequently established in 2013 to continue and coordinate financial inclusion efforts. Mr Samuel said there were about 8,000 bank accounts when these efforts began, compared with about five million today, demonstrating the significant progress made in bringing more Papua New Guineans into the formal financial system and providing greater access to financial products and services.

Mr. Samuel stated that CEFI is guided by the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in implementing its programmes, with partnerships between national and sub-national governments forming an important part of the strategy.

He added that provincial engagements were particularly important because they provided a mechanism for national financial inclusion priorities to be translated into practical programmes that could reach people at the provincial, district and community levels.

The signing of the MoU with ESPA reflects this approach and establishes a formal partnership through which both organisations can jointly advance financial inclusion across East Sepik Province.

Under the agreement, CEFI will provide technical support to establish a Provincial Financial Inclusion Steering Committee and develop a Financial Inclusion Work Plan. It will also support the expansion of financial access points and bank account openings, conduct the Young Mind Savings Campaign, and deliver Financial Literacy and Business Development Services training.

ESPA will establish the Provincial Financial Inclusion Steering Committee and a coordinating desk within its Commerce Division. It will also integrate financial inclusion activities into its annual planning and budgeting processes to support effective and sustainable implementation across the province.

The partnership directly supports the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027, particularly its objectives of improving access to banking services, promoting savings and budgeting, and supporting socio-economic development.

East Sepik Acting Provincial Administrator, Mr Alphonse Kami, welcomed the partnership and thanked CEFI and Mr Samuel for formalising the relationship with the Provincial Administration.

Mr Kami also acknowledged the East Sepik Provincial Administration’s Division of Commerce for taking the lead in progressing the MoU despite challenges encountered along the way.

He said developing a strong savings culture was particularly important for East Sepik, especially for farmers and rural communities where access to start-up capital and formal financial services remained a challenge.

“Thank you for the savings culture. I think that’s the way forward,” Mr Kami said, noting the Provincial Administration’s support for initiatives that would help communities improve the way they save and manage their money.

Mr Kami also acknowledged the important role of financial institutions and expressed the Provincial Administration’s desire to strengthen partnerships that could improve financial services and economic opportunities for communities.

He highlighted connectivity and reliable power as challenges affecting access to increasingly digital financial services, particularly in rural areas, while noting ongoing efforts to improve telecommunications, power and other infrastructure across the province.

Mr Kami said the MoU provided an important mechanism for CEFI and the Provincial Administration to combine their respective expertise, resources and responsibilities towards achieving shared financial inclusion objectives.

“The way to go now is through the MoU, and work will start,” Mr Kami said.

The MoU provides the foundation for sustained collaboration between CEFI and ESPA, embedding financial inclusion within provincial planning and implementation and creating pathways for more people across East Sepik Province to access financial knowledge, banking services and opportunities to participate in the formal economy.

 

Ends.

Image 1:

CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr Peter Samuel (left) and East Sepik Provincial Administration Acting Administrator Mr Alphonse Kami sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising the partnership between CEFI and the East Sepik Provincial Administration.

Image 2: CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr Peter Samuel (left) and East Sepik Provincial Administration Acting Administrator Mr Alphonse Kami shake hands following the signing of the MoU, marking the formalisation of the partnership between the two organisations.

Image 3: CEFI Senior Trainer Mr Sebastian Mugup (right) and East Sepik Provincial Administration Executive Manager for the Division of Commerce and Trade, Mr Noel Bapun, sign the MoU as official witnesses to the agreement.

About CEFI

CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24^th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and monitoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.

CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.

Visit our website – www.thecefi.org

Media Contact:

Mr. Leslie Omaro

Communication Officer

Phone: 79736883

Email: lomaro@thecefi.org