The number of women-owned sole trader businesses in Fiji has surged dramatically over the last five years, with registrations increasing by over 2000 percent. According to Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran, the growth reflects a significant rise from just 464 women-registered sole traders in 2020 to more than 9,500 last year.
During the MSME Day celebrations hosted by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS) at their headquarters in Nasese, Ms. Kiran praised FRCS for its commitment to enhancing tax, customs awareness, and financial literacy training for women entrepreneurs. She expressed her enthusiasm for the remarkable increase in registrations, noting a consistent upward trend that points to growing confidence and entrepreneurial spirit among Fijian women.
The statistics revealed that as of early April 2025, 2,617 new women-operated sole trader businesses had already been registered. The breakdown of women in various entrepreneurial categories highlights the extensive involvement of women in the business sector: 28,570 women are registered as Micro Entrepreneurs with an annual turnover of up to $50,000, 3,110 fall under the Small Entrepreneur category with turnovers between $50,000 to $300,000, and 357 are classified as Medium Entrepreneurs, earning between $300,000 and $1.25 million annually.
Ms. Kiran further emphasized the resourcefulness of women in managing both their families and businesses, leveraging their skills to create innovative solutions during challenging times like the pandemic. She noted the importance of financial literacy training, which aims to empower women to better value their work and avoid common financial pitfalls.
This occasion also marked the graduation of 150 MSME operators, predominantly women, from various training programs focused on tax and customs compliance provided by FRCS, reinforcing the commitment to developing the skills required for sustainable business growth.
The significant rise in women entrepreneurs in Fiji is a positive indicator of their increasing impact on the economy, demonstrating resilience and innovation that contribute to the nation’s growth while promoting gender equality and inclusiveness in the business landscape.
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