New Zealand, through its private sector programme, Business Link Pacific (BLP), has announced a new partnership with MBf Bank Limited to expand access to affordable finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tonga.
“New Zealand is pleased to be supporting women’s access to finance. Women’s accessing finance empowers women, strengthens the Tongan economy and creates a more inclusive society,” said Esther Shaw, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa.
This new finance partnership lowers borrowing costs and improves access to business loans for Tongan SMEs, including women-led enterprises.
The partnership brings together NZ$500,000 in capital from BLP with NZ$500,000 in matched capital from MBf Bank, creating a combined NZ$1 million facility to support business lending in Tonga. Through the partnership, eligible businesses can access MBf Bank’s WSME Term Loan and SME Business Loan products, with loan sizes ranging from TOP 5,000 to TOP 50,000.
The facility offers significantly reduced borrowing costs, with an annual interest rate of 5.50%, down from 10.50%, and an arrangement fee of 1.50%, down from 2.50%. Ongoing service and other fees will be waived, making the products more accessible for businesses seeking working capital, investment in equipment, or support for expansion.
BLP said the partnership reflects its commitment to strengthening private sector growth across the Pacific by improving access to finance and business advisory services for SMEs.
“Access to affordable finance remains one of the most important enablers of business growth in the Pacific,” said Paul Wendland from BLP. “By partnering with MBf Bank, BLP is helping to reduce the cost of finance for Tongan SMEs and create practical pathways for businesses to invest, grow, and build resilience.”
MBf Bank said the partnership builds on its work to support entrepreneurs and women-led businesses across Tonga. Its WSME loan product and financing scheme, launched in October 2025, is designed for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises where women hold more than 51% ownership. The WSME product was developed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and supported by SAFER Pacific, a BLP sister programme funded by the Asian Development Bank and delivered by DT Global.
“MBf Bank is pleased to work with Business Link Pacific to expand access to affordable finance for SMEs in Tonga,” said Anton Rajapakse, Regional General Manager, MBf Bank. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support entrepreneurs, including women-led businesses, with tailored lending solutions that respond to their needs and ambitions.”
Business Link Pacific is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Government and delivered by DT Global. BLP works across 12 Pacific Island nations to stimulate demand for business advisory services and improve access to financial services.
MBf Bank Limited is a fully commissioned commercial bank in Tonga, operating under the supervision of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and serving the people of Tonga since 1993.
