Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) is deeply intertwined with a country’s development as well as its pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. In Samoa as well as the rest of the world, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) often act as the pathway to economic livelihoods for the bulk of the population. While robust data does not exist for Samoa, it is estimated that over 4000 MSMEs exist in Samoa, likely including half the country’s workforce. As the coronavirus gripped the rest of the world, Samoa felt economic devastation from the ripple effects which stopped tourism, interrupted trade, and dampened economic activity across Asia and the Pacific. MSMEs suffered tremendously, and women-led MSMEs suffered disproportionally. Now, as some countries are opening, and as the Samoan economy may see better days on the horizon, it is useful to propose remedies for MSMEs and women-led MSMEs in particular to facilitate a bright future for this essential part of the Samoan economy and Samoan communities.

This report proposes an array of practical ideas in carving a path forward for MSME recovery, specifically targeted towards the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL) of the Government of Samoa. Samoa’s MSME Policy is the first dedicated MSME Policy in the Pacific. MCIL, as the lead implementer of this Policy is similarly well-placed in a leadership role to spearhead the recovery and long-term development process

This report proposes an array of practical ideas in carving a path forward for MSME recovery, specifically targeted towards the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL) of the Government of Samoa. Samoa’s MSME Policy is the first dedicated MSME Policy in the Pacific. MCIL, as the lead implementer of this Policy is similarly well-placed in a leadership role to spearhead the recovery and long-term development process.