Suva, Fiji – 19 December 2025 – The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has released the Pacific E-commerce Priorities report 2025, a new annual publication designed to help steer coordinated action and investment toward the most urgent needs in the region’s digital trade ecosystem.
The report consolidates the results of three online surveys conducted with members of the Pacific E-commerce Committee (PEC), and its two sub-committees representing private sector stakeholders (PEPSC) and development partners (PEDPC). Together, these groups provide a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder view on priority areas for implementation in the coming year for accelerating e-commerce development across the Pacific.
With a total of 54 individual measures in the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap (the Strategy), the survey focused specifically on those with the lowest levels of implementation (31 measures) as indicated in the Strategy’s M&E Report (2024). Respondents were invited to identify which of these should be prioritised for regional action in 2026.
Respondents highlighted the following key priorities for regional action in 2026:
- Trade facilitation and trade logistics: Strong support for developing regional freight assistance packages to address high shipping costs that continue to constrain Pacific businesses.
- Electronic payment solutions: Calls for improved interoperability between payment providers and partnerships with major financial institutions to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of digital financial services.
- Legal and regulatory frameworks: Continued emphasis on adopting UNCITRAL model laws and international e-commerce standards to strengthen trust and cross-border consistency.
- E-commerce skills development: Training and upskilling for businesses, women entrepreneurs, and policymakers to enable broader participation in the digital economy.
- Access to finance for E-commerce: Support for mechanisms such as credit guarantee schemes, innovation grants, and alternative financing options for Pacific MSMEs and start-ups.
The report also highlights ongoing projects addressing these priorities, such as updates to payment systems in Fiji and Vanuatu, the introduction of e-transaction laws, and digital skills programs and more. However, it points out that some critical areas, like regional freight assistance, have seen little progress.
By reflecting where government, private sector, and development partners agree, this annual report will serve as a vital tool for planning and investment. It aims to support informed decisions and ensure that regional efforts stay focused and responsive to the Pacific’s digital trade transformation goals.
The Pacific E-commerce Priorities report will be published every year in the fourth quarter to provide an updated overview of challenges and opportunities in the region’s digital trade to all the involved stakeholders. To learn more about the report and explore the full analysis, click here.
To contact the team, please send an email to [email protected].