Acting Chief Economic Planning Officer at the Ministry of Fisheries, Alumeci Rokobiau is calling on women across Fiji to pursue leadership with confidence and purpose as the nation works towards sustainable development and stronger community livelihoods.
Speaking on International Women’s Day, Rokobiau shared her journey from a student with ambitions in the medical field to becoming a key economic strategist in the fisheries sector.
She says her motivation has always been to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of ordinary Fijians and ensure that the country’s natural resources benefit local communities.
Rokobiau adds that to achieve this, she advocates for stronger training systems and mentorship within ministries.
She says information sharing and consistent training are vital so that every officer understands the reporting frameworks and strategic goals they are working towards.
Rokobiau also highlighted the importance of inclusive policies, particularly when working with communities in remote island areas, where land ownership issues and limited network access can create barriers.
She believes extension officers play a crucial role in bridging this gap by ensuring that fisherfolk receive accurate information and support.
Beyond policy work, Rokobiau is passionate about empowering women to take a more active role in Fiji’s economic growth.
She says her vision includes expanding financial literacy programmes, encouraging women to form cooperatives and helping them create value-added products that can access wider markets.
Rokobiau says women have enormous potential to drive sustainable growth in Fiji.
She adds that when women are equipped with the right knowledge and opportunities, they can transform their communities.
However, the leadership journey has not been without challenges.
Rokobiau stresses that technical officers often face difficulties navigating complex government processes such as procurement and financial procedures.
She is encouraging young women aspiring to leadership roles to remain confident, continue learning and seize opportunities that allow them to contribute to their communities and the nation.
She began her academic journey at the University of the South Pacific, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Management and Public Administration.
Determined to strengthen her expertise, she later earned a Master of Arts in International Public Policy from the University of Tsukuba in Japan.
Her career in public service started in 2009 as a project staff member at the Ministry of Agriculture, before she spent more than a decade developing her skills in administration, construction implementation and budget analysis at the Ministry of Finance.
In 2025, she joined the Ministry of Fisheries as Principal Economic Planning Officer and now serves as the Acting Chief Economic Planning Officer.
With more than 13 years of experience in government service, Rokobiau plays a critical role in ensuring that public funds and policies translate into meaningful benefits for Fiji’s fishing communities.
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