A request for Proposal (RfP) for the design and development of Fiji’s first peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is now out. Issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) and the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), the RfP invites qualified fintech companies, software developers, credit providers, and other relevant players, including consortia, to submit proposals for the design of a secure, scalable, and user-friendly P2P lending platform.
“The Government now calls for all eligible and interested firms, fintech innovators, financial institutions and consortia to obtain the RfP document and submit their proposals,” Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel said at last week’s launch.
“We seek partners who share our vision of a resilient, inclusive and innovative financial ecosystem that delivers tangible benefits for MSMEs and strengthens Fiji’s economy.”
RBF Governor Ariff Ali said the successful respondent will establish and operate the platform as an independent, fully commercial financial intermediary licensed by the RBF under the Access to Business Funding Act 2025.
“We are inviting interested market participants who are capable of establishing Fiji’s first licensed peer-to-peer lending platform to respond,” Mr Ali said.
“This is an opportunity to help shape Fiji’s finance sector and expand financing options for MSMEs.”
PSDI’s Financing Growth specialist Jeremy Cleaver said many small businesses across the Pacific struggle to access finance, which placed limitations of innovation and growth.
“Peer-to-peer lending can help bridge this gap by connecting businesses with a wider pool of investors, using a digital platform to lower costs and improve reach.
“PSDI is proud to support an initiative which will expand financing options for MSMEs and promote financial inclusion in Fiji.”
To de-risk the establishment of the platform and ensure the successful applicant has resources to build a sustainable business, a startup support package will be made available through the Fiji Innovation Hub.
This, according to the parties, will include financial support, technical assistance, and participation in the Fiji Innovation Hub’s Accelerator Program.
The P2P lending platform is a second project under the Access to Business Funding Act 2025, a new legislation passed last year to enable three new avenues for MSMEs to access finance – Small Offers regime, P2P and crowdfunding.
