Aswin Singh, Analyst, Financial System Development Group, Reserve Bank of Fiji
In the bustling city of Suva, on a sunny February weekend, more than sixty coders, designers and entrepreneurs took part in the inaugural Fiji Innovation Hub Hackathon. The event marked a milestone in Fiji’s inclusion journey by bringing together a diverse set of “hackers” to devise inclusive and accessible solutions during a 36-hour sprint.
The Hackathon forms part of the Fiji Innovation Hub programme, which aims to encourage startups and developing talent in the MSME and FinTech space. Launched in July 2025 and housed at the Reserve Bank, it was made possible through a coalition between public-private-development partner champions.
108 participants registered for the Hackathon, of whom 60 were selected. Many traveled considerable distances to attend, including one who came all the way from Australia. Working on the themes of FinTech, Ease of Doing Business, and Sustainability, the innovators poured their hearts and minds into crafting bold, creative solutions.
While the event was competitive, a collective spirit to collaborate to drive progress shone through. The 13 participating teams were guided and supervised by 10 coaches. This created a live space for active interaction and learning.
What innovations emerged?
At the end of the 36-hour sprint, the teams produced prototype solutions with the potential to play an instrumental role in shaping Fiji’s inclusive journey. These included:
Financial Inclusion
- Investment opportunities through fractional investment solutions
- Connecting MSMEs with funding and structural financing challenges with vetted investors through a digital platform
- Income generation for rural and maritime communities through private anchorage solutions
Market Access
- Supply chain enhancement through digital coordination
- A platform to link local artisans to consumers
Digital Infrastructure
- Connecting stakeholders through a digitized farming ecosystem
Looking back, the success of the Hackathon demonstrates that innovation depends not only on technology, but on trust. Trusting that the young generation has ideas worth investing in. Trusting in creativity to break down barriers. Trusting in homegrown talent to develop innovative solutions that can elevate service delivery and accelerate sustainable growth in Fiji.
Looking ahead: time to accelerate!
So, what’s next in the innovation space for Fiji? The Fiji Innovation Hub Activator 2026 will run for nine weeks, focusing on founders looking to build market-ready solutions. They will be supported with weekly coaching, have access to strong industry mentors, and linked to Fiji’s FinTech and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
You can follow how inclusive innovation continues to evolve in Fiji
at www.fijiinnovationhub.com.
