Tongan small and medium-sized businesses can access cheaper finance under a new NZ$1 million lending facility established through a partnership between MBf Bank Limited and New Zealand’s Business Link Pacific (BLP).
The facility combines NZ$500,000 from BLP with an equal contribution from MBf Bank. Eligible businesses can borrow between TOP 5,000 and TOP 50,000 through the bank’s WSME Term Loan and SME Business Loan products.
The annual interest rate has been reduced to 5.50%, from 10.50%, while the arrangement fee has been cut from 2.50% to 1.50%. Ongoing service and other fees will also be waived under the facility.
The financing is intended to support working capital, equipment purchases and business expansion, with women-led enterprises among those targeted.
“New Zealand is pleased to be supporting women’s access to finance,” said Esther Shaw, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa. “Women’s accessing finance empowers women, strengthens the Tongan economy and creates a more inclusive society.”
MBf Bank launched its Women-owned Small and Medium Enterprise (WSME) financing product in October 2025 for businesses in which women hold more than 51% ownership. The product was developed with the Asian Development Bank and supported by SAFER Pacific.
BLP said affordable finance remains a major constraint on business growth across the Pacific.
The programme is funded by the New Zealand Government and delivered by DT Global, supporting SMEs across 12 Pacific Island countries.
