Two young business graduates, Fai’ana Fukofuka and Arthur Cocker, have each won USD 5,000 seed grants, for their ventures as “Greenpreneurs” in Tonga.

Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) hosted a graduation event, 23 February 2023 at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Nuku’alofa, and presented the awards for the Business planning competition.

Hon. Dr Viliami Lātu, Minister of Trade and Economic Development, presented the awards, alongside Roshika Ranjini Gaunder from GGGI.

"The government is very pleased to be partnering with GGGI on this project", said Dr Lātu.

Mr Gaunder said the greenpreneurs' journey was challenging and competitive.

Fai’ana Fe'aomoeata, is the owner of Pearls of Vava’u.

"Being a Green Entrepreneur helps economic development by eliminating unemployment rates, poverty and not only that it's also environmental friendly" said Fai'ana.

Arthur Cocker is the founder and owner of  Defiant Robotics, looking into making "dedicated cleaning robots", built using 3D printing technology, and used to maintain Tonga's solar farms.

Arthur said that 15% of Tonga's electricity is powered by solar energy. “If the solar farms aren't maintained well and cleaned that could cause a decrease of energy output to almost 20%".

About the Program

The Incubator program is part of the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network, a three year regional program funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by GGGI.

The Network aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) to develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in six different Pacific Island countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.