26 women-entrepreneurs take lead in provincial financial inclusion

Twenty-six participants of the Mi Bank Financial & Literacy training with facilitator, Melly Tiria and sponsors, Pokapin Construction Limited and Ends Inn guest house (Image: Supplied)

The Mi Bank initiative recently brought an intensive two-day program to Manus last week.

By focusing on these often-unseen drivers of the local market, the training has empowered 26 women to transform their grassroots grit into sustainable financial success.

They are the quiet engine of the global economy, yet in many corners of Papua New Guinea, the true potential of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) mother remains an untapped resource.

President of Manus Chamber of Commerce, Sebastian Sapau said, the arrival of this program was a long-overdue milestone.

Addressing the participants, Sapau noted that while women are the backbone of the local economy, their contributions are frequently overlooked by formal institutions.

"To have this type of training sponsored and freely given is a miracle.

"The Chamber tries to run these sessions, but the costs are often prohibitive.

"We are realizing now that mothers can inject a unique vibrancy into the economy, because when they thrive, the whole community sees change," Sapau said.

The training was made possible through a strategic collaboration between Mi Bank, Pokapin Construction Limited, and Ends Inn Guest House, bridging the gap between corporate resources and community needs.

Facilitated by Mi Bank agent, Melly Tiria, the program is a key component of PNG financial Inclusion Vision 2050.

The national goal is ambitious: to eliminate poverty by ensuring every citizen regardless of location is financially literate.

While Mi Bank has rolled out similar modules across other provinces, this marks the first time the curriculum has been tailored specifically for the women of Manus.

The two-day course stripped away complex jargon, focusing instead on two vital pillars: Strategic Savings and Smart Budgeting.

For the participants, the impact was immediate and personal.

Tracey Tinge, one of the twenty-six graduates, reflected on how the training has already shifted her mindset toward financial independence.

"One important thing I learned is to save money for future use, Tinge shared.

"Now, if there is an emergency, I will have my own funds. I won't have to go knocking on people doors asking for help.

"Not saving is the biggest mistake we've been making, but that stops now." she said.