A major marketplace in the Pacific, Siuhuu, has officially launched in Fiji on Thursday 31 October, providing a new platform for local vendors to reach and expand markets nationally, regionally and globally. The online platform, which supports businesses across the Pacific and beyond, is now available to Fijian entrepreneurs seeking to tap into the growing digital commerce landscape.
Tongan Founder and Director, Akanesi Kaufusi, expressed that Siuhuu’s launch in Fiji marks a pivotal moment in the platform’s expansion, aiming to bring greater visibility and popularity to Pacific businesses. She noted, “Through Siuhuu, we are helping local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to reach new audiences both locally and internationally, and bringing Fiji’s unique offerings to the global market’.
The launch has been met with enthusiasm from the Fijian community, with many recognising the platform’s potential to empower local entrepreneurs. “Siuhuu is not just a platform, it helps our community, our nation, and our region,” said Watesoni Nata Jr., Chairperson of the MSME Council.
Shailendra Prasad, of Vodafone Fiji, emphasized the collaborative effort to expand opportunities for local MSMEs, “Siuhuu is coming to Fiji at the perfect time. Just two weeks ago, Vodafone M-PAiSA was integrated with the national payment system, allowing seamless transfers of mobile money from any bank to M-PAiSA. This means people in Fiji can easily transfer money from their bank account to M-PAiSA, enabling them to purchase products online on Siuhuu,” he said.
With M-Paisa already operational in several Pacific countries, Siuhuu is well-positioned to facilitate seamless transactions. This integration ensures a robust and functional payment system as Siuhuu continues to expand, driving greater e-commerce growth across the region.
Supporting regional e-commerce development
Fiji joins a growing network of over 200 Pacific suppliers from the Cook Islands, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Siuhuu’s expansion into Fiji—and its continued regional rollout—plays a vital role in supporting the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, launched in 2021, and implements Measure 3.4.1. The strategy aims to achieve three key goals: increasing the number of online consumers, boosting the number of online businesses, and connecting businesses and consumers through faster, more inclusive networks.
