SPBD Tonga 20
Lepolo weaves traditional mats from pandanus leaves. This provides her with an income, alongside her seasonal work in tourism. With a group loan from SPBD Tonga, she can continue her work, build up inventory, and work towards a more stable income.

The project
The rainy season in Tonga is slowly coming to an end. For Lepolo, this means she will soon be able to work again as a guide on boats. But how did she earn an income during this period?
From her home, she weaves traditional mats using pandanus leaves. The leaves are first washed in seawater and then left to dry for two weeks. In Tonga’s humid climate, this makes it difficult to consistently have enough material available.
Microfinance institution SPBD Tonga finances women like Lepolo. Through group loans, women borrow together and guarantee each other’s repayments. In addition, they receive training in financial skills, helping them build greater financial stability.
Want to learn more about how entrepreneurs in Tonga live and work? Sailor Lynn visited these entrepreneurs during her journey. Read her travel story here.
Your Investment
- Annual interest rate: 7.5%
- Maturity: 24 months, with repayments including interest every 6 months
- Currency: Euro
SPBD Tonga
Impact
Tonga's female entrepreneurs often struggle to access financing, business support, and opportunities for growth. SPBD Tonga directly addresses these challenges by providing microloans exclusively to women, enabling them to start and expand their businesses.
Since its founding, SPBD Tonga has disbursed thousands of loans, totaling millions in funding for female-led enterprises. Women meet weekly to make repayments, receive business training, and build their savings—helping them achieve long-term financial stability.
Related blog posts
- Read the introduction of SPBD Group as a new investment opportunity here.
- Want to learn more about how financial inclusion can thrive entrepreneurship? Read here.
- Check out this blog post to gain insight into poverty and the struggles faced by those unable to access essential resources for a basic standard of living.
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