AGP Executive Report

Agriculture: Samoan practitioners joined a Pacific learning exchange at a Fijian organic farm, sharing ways to make nature-based farming and conservation more community-led and lasting. Climate Readiness: Samoa’s meteorology division is warning of worsening El Niño-driven dry conditions, urging households, businesses and agencies to conserve water and protect crops and livestock as drought could strain agriculture, water supplies and energy. Export Development: Samoa Export Authority chief executive Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo will step down on 31 December to focus on his health; he says he has established the authority and its five-year roadmap. Digital Payments: The Samoa Automated Transfer System is expected to enable faster, real-time interbank payments and widen access to financial services, supporting businesses and everyday commerce. Economic Oversight: The Prime Minister has asked Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with updated economic indicators after a disputed GDP report was withdrawn. Regional Investment: ADB’s five-year Pacific strategy, which includes Samoa, prioritises resilient infrastructure, essential services, jobs and more flexible project delivery.

Climate Readiness: Strengthening El Niño conditions are raising drought and cyclone concerns in Samoa, with authorities urging households and businesses to conserve water and protect crops and livestock as dry weather threatens agriculture, energy and water supplies. Export Development: Samoa Export Authority chief executive Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo will resign on 31 December to focus on his health. He says he leaves after establishing the Authority and its five-year roadmap. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new automated transfer system is expected to enable real-time interbank payments and widen access to financial services, supporting commerce in a country where about half the population lacks a bank account or formal financial services. Regional Investment: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 Pacific strategy includes Samoa, prioritising resilient infrastructure, essential services, jobs and more flexible project delivery. Economic Oversight: The Prime Minister has asked the Central Bank and Finance Ministry to provide Parliament with updated economic indicators after a GDP report was withdrawn over discrepancies.

Economic Update: Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has directed the Finance Ministry and Central Bank to provide Parliament with the latest economic indicators, after a GDP report citing a 200-million-tala contraction was withdrawn for quality checks. Pacific Investment: ADB’s 2026–2030 strategy includes Samoa and aims to strengthen jobs, essential services and climate-resilient infrastructure, with more flexible project delivery for island economies. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new automated transfer system is expected to speed up domestic payments and widen access to financial services, while regional discussions stress the need for secure, trusted tools that help families save and manage financial shocks. Agriculture: Samoa and Israel discussed specialist training, internships and sharing agricultural expertise, with a proposal to open opportunities to rural communities through village and district networks.

Economic Outlook: Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has directed Treasury and the Central Bank to provide Parliament with updated economic indicators, after a withdrawn GDP report raised questions about a reported 200 million tala contraction. Pacific Development: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 strategy puts institutional capacity, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure at the centre of support for Samoa and 11 other island economies, with more flexible project delivery. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new automated transfer system is expected to speed up domestic payments and widen access to financial services, including for people without bank accounts. Regional officials say digital finance must also earn users’ trust and help families save and manage financial shocks. Agriculture: Samoa’s planned Jerusalem embassy was reaffirmed during talks that also explored Israeli agricultural expertise, training and internships, with the Prime Minister proposing village-based selection to extend opportunities to rural communities.

Economic Outlook: Samoa’s Prime Minister has asked Treasury and the Central Bank for updated economic indicators after a GDP report showing a 200 million tala contraction was withdrawn over data-quality concerns. Pacific Investment: ADB’s five-year strategy for Samoa and 11 other island economies prioritises jobs, essential services, resilient infrastructure and more locally tailored projects. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new real-time payments system aims to speed up transfers and widen access to financial services; regional experts say trust, privacy and tools such as savings and insurance are also vital. Agriculture: Samoa reaffirmed plans for an embassy in Jerusalem, with talks also covering Israeli agricultural technology and training opportunities for rural communities. Community Services: India has awarded 2.8 million tala for a SENESE complex offering disability support, therapy, early learning and vocational training. Creative Industries: LEAO made history as the first act to win the APRA Silver Scroll with a song written entirely in Gagana Sāmoa.

Regional Partnerships: Israel has joined the Pacific Islands Forum as a sector partner, offering expertise in water management, agriculture and climate adaptation — areas relevant to Samoa’s development priorities. Digital Finance: Samoa’s new automated transfer system is set to enable real-time interbank payments, making transfers faster and supporting wider access to financial services. Regulation: Cabinet appointed Su’a Aulaga Faumuinā as Regulator for three years; he has experience in electricity, telecommunications and spectrum management. Inclusive Services: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant for a SENESE complex offering specialist facilities and support for people with disabilities. Resilience and Investment: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures, while a yearlong national assessment will help agencies plan for disaster risks, including severe weather linked to El Niño.

Health Services: Samoa is among Pacific countries with fewer than 14 hospital beds per 10,000 people, highlighting the strain on regional health capacity. Digital Finance: The new Samoa Automated Transfer System will enable real-time domestic bank transfers and could widen access to financial services for the roughly half of Samoans who are unbanked or outside formal finance. Regulation: Cabinet appointed Su’a Aulaga Faumuinā as Regulator for a three-year term; he brings technical experience in electricity and telecommunications. Disaster Readiness: Samoa has begun a yearlong, village-level risk assessment covering sectors including agriculture, water and health, as El Niño risks grow. Findings are intended to support planning during the current season. Development Funding: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant for a SENESE community complex, with therapy, early learning and vocational training facilities.

Digital Finance: Samoa’s new Samoa Automated Transfer System will enable real-time interbank payments, cut delays in domestic transfers and help bring more people into formal financial services. About half the population currently lacks a bank account or uses such services. Regulation: Cabinet appointed Su’a Aulaga Faumuinā as Regulator for a three-year term. His experience spans SamoaTel and the regulator’s electricity and spectrum management work. Inclusive Development: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, with therapy, early learning and vocational training facilities. Resilience: Samoa has launched a mobile makespace to strengthen disaster preparedness and begun a yearlong, village-level risk assessment as El Niño threatens severe weather. The government has also sought ADB support for a response plan addressing climate risks and drought.

Digital Finance: Samoa’s new Samoa Automated Transfer System will enable real-time interbank payments, cut delays and support new financial services. The Central Bank says it could help bring more people into formal finance, as about half of Samoans lack a bank account or use formal services. Regulation: Cabinet has appointed Su’a Aulaga Faumuinā as Regulator for three years. His experience spans telecommunications, spectrum management and electricity regulation. Inclusive Services: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, with facilities for disability support, therapy, early learning and vocational training. Disaster Readiness: Samoa has begun a yearlong, village-level assessment of disaster risks as a strong El Niño looms, while a newly launched Mobile Makespace aims to strengthen preparedness. The government is also seeking Asian Development Bank support for a response to climate, drought and health pressures.

Regulation: Cabinet appointed Su’a Aulaga Faumuinā as Samoa’s regulator for a three-year term. He brings telecommunications engineering experience and has served in the regulator’s office since 2014. Regional Ties: A Samoan parliamentary delegation visited Australia to strengthen ties and discuss parliamentary processes with Australian leaders. Inclusive Services: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, with facilities for disability support, therapy, early learning and vocational training. Disaster Readiness: Samoa launched a mobile engineering workshop equipped to make replacement parts and repair essential services after disasters. The government has also asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate risks, drought and health pressures, while a yearlong assessment will map disaster risks down to village level. Housing: The government allocated SAT$2 million to build homes for vulnerable families, working with ADRA Samoa and district councils to identify beneficiaries.

Inclusive Services: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE complex with therapy, hearing-screening, early-learning and vocational training facilities. Disaster Readiness: Samoa has begun a yearlong, village-level risk assessment as a strong El Niño threatens, while a new mobile engineering workshop will help local teams make parts and repair essential services after disasters. Economic Response: Samoa asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures; state-owned enterprise reform remains a key area of engagement. Digital Services: Samoa has invited suppliers ahead of a national Digital ID tender. Housing: The government allocated SAT$2 million to build homes for vulnerable families with ADRA Samoa.

Inclusive Development: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant for the SENESE Community Service Complex, with therapy, early-learning and vocational training facilities for people with disabilities. Disaster Readiness: Samoa launched a mobile engineering workshop equipped to make replacement parts and repair essential services after disasters. A yearlong, village-level risk assessment is also under way as a strong El Niño threatens the region. Digital Services: Samoa has invited suppliers to take part in a national digital ID tender. Economic Resilience: The government has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures; state-owned enterprise reform remains a key area of engagement.

Inclusive Development: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, with specialist facilities for people with learning and physical disabilities. Disaster Preparedness: Samoa has begun a yearlong, village-level risk assessment as a strong El Niño threatens the region; a new mobile engineering workshop will also help local teams make parts and repair essential services after disasters. Digital Services: The Samoa Bureau of Statistics expects to issue a November tender for a national digital ID system, inviting local ICT firms to explore supplier partnerships. Housing: Government has allocated SAT$2 million to build homes for vulnerable families with ADRA Samoa. Economic Resilience: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures, while state-owned enterprise reform remains a key area of engagement.

Inclusive Infrastructure: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, including therapy, early-learning and TVET facilities for people with disabilities. Disaster Readiness: A new mobile engineering workshop, equipped with 3D printers and tools, will help technicians make parts and repair essential services after disasters. A yearlong national risk assessment is also under way as a strong El Niño threatens water, agriculture and other sectors. Digital Services: Samoa is preparing a November tender for its national digital ID system and has invited local ICT firms to explore partnerships. Development Funding: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures, while a SAT$2 million housing project will build homes for vulnerable families.

Inclusive Services: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for the SENESE Community Service Complex, which will provide therapy, early learning and vocational training facilities for people with disabilities. Disaster Readiness: Samoa launched a mobile engineering workshop equipped with 3D printers and repair tools to help restore essential services after disasters. A separate yearlong assessment will map risks down to village level as a strong El Niño threatens water, agriculture and other sectors. Development Finance: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures, while continuing work on state-owned enterprise reform. Digital Services: The Samoa Bureau of Statistics is preparing a November tender for a national digital ID system and has invited technology suppliers to a briefing. Housing: Government has allocated SAT$2 million to build homes for vulnerable families, working with ADRA Samoa and district councils to identify recipients.

Inclusive Development: Samoa and India signed a SAT$2.8 million grant agreement for a SENESE community complex, with facilities for disability support, therapy, early learning and vocational training. Disaster Preparedness: Samoa has begun a yearlong, village-level risk assessment as a potentially severe El Niño raises concerns across sectors including agriculture, water and health. A new mobile engineering workshop will also help technicians make parts and repair essential services after disasters. Finance and Reform: Samoa has asked the Asian Development Bank to support its response to climate, drought and health pressures; state-owned enterprise reform remains a key area of engagement. Digital Services: The Samoa Bureau of Statistics is preparing a November tender for a national digital ID system and has invited suppliers, including local ICT firms, to engage. Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific through 2027, with implications for Samoa and other island economies. Housing: Cabinet has allocated SAT$2 million for homes for vulnerable families, to be built with ADRA Samoa.