Barriers to digital finance leave vulnerable Fijians struggling

Barriers to digital finance leave vulnerable Fijians struggling

By Monishka Pratap
Wednesday 13/11/2024

Vulnerable groups across Fiji—including elderly villagers, low-income families and rural communities face significant obstacles in accessing digital financial services.

For these Fijians, digital finance holds potential as a critical tool for managing funds and daily expenses, yet remains challenging to access.

This issue was highlighted in the Consumer Council of Fiji’s report titled Voices from the Margins: Perceptions and Recommendations on Digital Financial Services in Fiji, launched today.

While speaking at the launch, Consumer Council of Fiji CEO Seema Shandil says for those on the margins such as elderly villagers, low-income families and rural communities, digital finance is not just a modern convenience — it is a potential lifeline, offering crucial access to funds, banking and daily management of expenses. Shandil says while digital finance has advanced in Fiji, obstacles remain for many who struggle with economic constraints, device affordability and reliable network access—particularly in rural and maritime regions.

She says the report aims to equip policymakers, financial service providers and stakeholders with insights to address these barriers, empowering Fijians from all backgrounds.

She adds this could create a financial ecosystem that leaves no one behind.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection, Eseta Nadakuitavuki says mobile money wallets and other fintech innovations have made strides in offering convenience to under-served populations.

She says vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly and people with disabilities still face significant barriers.

She says for some, digital age has presented more barriers than gateways.

The Permanent Secretary says Voices from the Margins is a roadmap toward a more inclusive digital future and called for greater accessibility, affordability and relevance in digital financial services.

She praised the the Consumer Council of Fiji’s report for its critical role in informing strategies that integrate these groups into national development, adding that her ministry looks forward to using these insights to empower vulnerable populations toward economic stability and independence.

FEATURE NEWS
Two alleged drunk men dead after they were hit by a bus while fighting on the road in Naitasiri
Two men aged 21 and 45 years are dead after they were hit by a bus while fighting on the road in Waitolu, Naitasiri. Director of Traffic, Senior Su...
55 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
No detention centre in Fiji, Immigration Ministry must really look into – PM
A shocking revelation has been made by Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration Sitiveni Rabuka, as the number of illegal immigrants into Fiji has ...
6 minutes ago

Housing crisis: 200,000 Fijians face overcrowding and poor living conditions
Approximately 200,000 Fijians, roughly 50 percent of the population live in informal settlements and are facing overcrowding and poor living ...
21 minutes ago

Lautoka launches new recycling hub to combat ocean plastic pollution
The people of Lautoka today celebrated the opening of a new recycling hub, a significant milestone in the effort to combat ocean plastic ...
30 minutes ago

Fijians can now make easier, cheaper and faster payments with new real-time tax system
Taxpayers in Fiji can now enjoy faster, more efficient tax payments with the launch of a real-time e-payment system through a partnership between the ...
1 hour ago

Violence against women is a violation of human rights : Sharma
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission says violence against women remains one of the most severe human rights violations, calling ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Dubai 7s 2024
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s team ended a 9-year drought by winning the HSBC Dubai 7s title, defeating Spain 19-5 in the final. This marks ...
6 hours ago

Walesi Government Digitalization program
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica says it is clear the FijiFirst Government wanted to also control the ...
2 days ago

Prof. Biman Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad will appear on fijivillage Straight With Vijay Narayan.The show focused on the ...
4 days ago

TOP