AN entrepreneur from Tonga is revolutionising the way Pacific Islanders connect with their culture and products through her innovative platform, Siuhuu (www.siuhuu.com).
Born and raised in Tonga, Siuhuu founder Akanesi Kaufusi said the online marketplace tailored specifically for Pacific Island communities.
The platform, a culmination of years of challenges in finding local Pacific Island goods and services while living in Australia and New Zealand, was officially launching in Suva on Thursday last week.
“We needed a solution that would empower local businesses without overwhelming them with costs such as high shipping costs and payment processing issues,” Ms Kaufusi said.
Siuhuu has decided to address these challenges by partnering with Vodafone to introduce local payment solutions like M-PAiSA and MyCash, allowing sellers to receive payments directly to their bank accounts.
This is expected to lower cost barriers for local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who often relied on overseas bank accounts or complicated payment methods in their trading.
The partnership makes Fiji the first Pacific island nation to offer the service.
More than a marketplace, Siuhuu also passes as a community hub for Pacific Islanders to preserve and promote cultural heritage by providing a space for traditional products that might not find a home on a larger, global platform like Amazon or Etsy.
“This is a safe space for our culture,” Ms Kaufusi said.
“We want to ensure that our artisans and businesses can showcase their unique offerings without fear of being lost in the noise of larger platforms.”
Ms Kaufusi is particularly passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs, noting that many women in the MSME sector face market access challenges.
“We aim to increase the percentage of women-led businesses on our platform because we are about creating opportunities for those who have been traditionally marginalised,” she said.
The Tongan native represented Siuhuu at various international forums, including the Young Pacific Leaders Program in Hawaii and the Commonwealth Business Forum, where she discussed the importance of digital transformation for Pacific MSMEs.
There are plans to expand to Vanuatu and Samoa, with hopes of establishing a regional network of Pacific Island businesses.
“By next year, we aim to launch a mobile app, making it even easier for people to buy and sell across the Pacific,” she said.
Ms Kaufusi envisions a future where products from across the pacific can be enjoyed by people worldwide, where tourists visiting the Pacific can discover local crafts, foods and later purchase them online after they leave.
“This is just the beginning. The Pacific has so much to offer, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us,” Ms Kaufusi said.
Founder of Siuhuu, Akanesi Kaufusi, in her speech during her platforms official launching in Fiji at Mana Cafe event center in Walu Bay, Last Thursday. Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA
Founder of Siuhuu, Akanesi Kaufusi presenting her platform to the public in it official launch last Thursday. Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA
