16 PNG Green Entrepreneurs graduate from Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator Program

Graduates of the PGEN Incubator Program with GGGI & Emstrat Representatives. Photo: Emstrat Space

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA – 10 FEBRUARY 2023: Sixteen green entrepreneurs half of whom were women graduated today in Port Moresby under the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) Incubator Program run by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).  The graduates who undertook a four-month program of business training and mentorship were awarded Certificate of Excellence and Completion. 

PGEN, a three-year regional program is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by the GGGI in partnership with the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) and  Emstret Space (E-Space). The program aims to support Small Medium Enterprise (SME) entrants from GGGI member countries in the Pacific including Papua New Guinea (PNG) develop or grow their green business ideas and start-up ventures in line with their respective governments’ SME, green growth and climate change policies and goals. 

The PGEN incubator training for the sixteen graduates started in October 2022 and was conducted online lasting four months.  It involved 12 modules that centred around a social lean canvas and covered every key aspect of business planning and management including in-country mentorship and group coaching.  The training included a business plan competition from which five were selected as winners and were awarded USD $5000 or approximately K17,680 in seed grant funding to start or grow their businesses.

USD5000 seed grant winners with GGGI and Emstrat representatives. Photo: Roshika Gaundar

Present at the occasion were representatives from CCDA, SME Corporation, GGGI, E-Space, graduates, family and friends.

GGGI (PNG) Country representative Mr Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia, in his opening remarks, congratulated the graduates and expressed the graduation as a significant milestone.  He also acknowledged and thanked the Government of Qatar and QFFD for funding the PGEN program and supporting SME development across the Pacific including PNG.

“Today is an exciting event. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our PNG green entrepreneurs and in particular the commitment and dedication they have shown to complete this business incubator training.  Getting into business takes courage and carries a lot of risks but their success will enable them to fulfil their dreams and their rewards will be enhanced wealth and a better and secure life,” said Mr Tuisolia.

“The graduates represent 16 SMEs and their success will significantly benefit PNG as well.  PNG with its USD 25 billion economy is heavily reliant on extractive industries such as mining, oil and gas which generate minimal direct benefits for the majority of PNG’s 9 million population.  Hence the growth of SMEs through the efforts and sacrifice of our 16 talented graduates with help the country diversify its economy, generate new investments and create green jobs,” added Mr Tuisolia.

CCDA’s Acting Managing Director Mr William Lakain also highlighted the significance of innovation in the SME sector and its relevance for concrete actions to address environmental issues and climate change.

“In PNG, the SME sector contributes significantly towards inclusive economic growth as well as employment creation, innovation and growth. The role and actions of small green enterprises are enormous in building a sustainable nation.

“At CCDA, we support programs that build the capacity of different stakeholders and empower local private sector enterprises to take concrete actions to address environmental issues and climate change and one is this,” said Mr Lakain.

He said that the Government is supportive of GGGI and QFFD’s PGEN focus on supporting green job creation and their contributions to addressing the barriers to green enterprise growth and building PNG’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He further congratulated GGGI and QFFD for this impactful and successful program and assured that CCDA stands ready to support and welcome upcoming Pacific Greenpreneurs incubator and accelerator programs.

Mr Tony Darlie, the Acting Managing Director for the SME Corporation, also addressed the graduates lending his support for the high-quality PGEN green entrepreneurship incubator program which has enabled the training of 16 PNG SME owners. 

“The PGEN program is consistent with the mandate of the SME Corporation and is directly enhancing the policy of the Government to grow the SME sector and business in PNG,” said Mr Darlie.