Minister of Finance Tables $1.24bn Talā Peoples Budget

Apia, Samoa – 07 October 2025 – Parliaments Finance Committee is now screening the $1.24billion talā budget tabled by the Minister of Finance., Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo yesterday morning.

The Budget covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 and presented at the start of the 18th Parliamentary Term, following national elections in August 2025.

The Minister said the Budget reflects Government’s broader strategy of empowering communities, building resilience, and inspiring growth under the theme: “Together we rise, guided by the past, to strengthen the present, and secure the future through this People’s Budget.”

The Budget strategy is framed around five policy areas aimed at sustaining economic momentum and strengthen social and economic resilience in line with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021/22 – 2025/26.

These are:

1. Empowering People and Communities

The anchor of the strategy for inclusive growth, is the District Development Program allocation will be scaled up to $91.8 million talā in this financial year. Funding has increased from $1 million to $1.8 million talā per district, fulfilling Government’s commitment of $5 million talā per constituency under the existing PDS.

“These resources will continue to empower districts to set and implement their own priorities, promoting local ownership and reflecting Government’s trust in local solutions for local challenges. The Government is reviewing the District Development Program Policy Framework and the Program Operating Manual to enhance quality implementation.”

As promised during its campaign, the budget includes delivery of response to the needs of the most vulnerable population, in particular the elderly and persons with disabilities.

From November 2025, monthly pension payments and disability benefits will increase to $300 talā, benefitting 15,099 people. These measures not only provide financial relief to counter the rising cost of living but also reaffirms the Government’s commitment to dignity, care, and opportunities for our most vulnerable. Preparations are underway to further increase the pension for citizens aged 70 and above, in the following fiscal year.

Support for NGOs will rise from $2.6 million to $8.97 million talā, with increased grants for organisations delivering critical social services. Annual assistance for Mapuifagalele and Mapuipulotu Aged Care Homes has also been raised to $100,000 talā each, recognising their vital role in caring for our elderly.

Government has doubled The Shelter Financing provision from $500,000 talā to $1 million talā, enabling the construction of basic shelters for vulnerable families. To date, 306 families across 141 villages have benefitted from this initiative implemented by ADRA Samoa.

$6 million talā has also been allocated to the Samoa Housing Corporation for concessional home loans, particularly for first-time homeowners and growing families.

Assistance to private sector organisations will increase significantly from $7.1 million to $23.85 million talā, acknowledging the central role of businesses as the engine of growth in driving development, job creation, and inclusive prosperity.

2. Building Human Capital for the Future

A total of $10 million talā has been allocated for Government scholarships, creating new opportunities in early childhood education, hospitality, and vocational trades. Additional awards for undergraduate studies in New Zealand and Fiji will complement existing scholarships from our Development Partners.

The One Government Grant will be increased from $18 million talā to $18.5 million talā, supporting improved access and quality across all education providers, expanding to those delivering inclusive education services. This ensures that institutions are better equipped to meet evolving curriculum standards and technological change.

The Government has reviewed the apprenticeship scheme that will make workplace-based learning far more affordable and accessible, especially for young people seeking formal qualifications in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.

There is increased investment in sports, not just as recreation, but as a platform for youth development and healthy lifestyle promotion. Funding for sports development will triple from $2.5 million to $6 million talā, in recognition of the growing ambitions of our athletes and sports associations.

3. Enhancing Access to Essential Services

Access to essential services and resilient infrastructure is the foundation of inclusive development.

The allocation for overseas medical referrals will double to $12 million talā, ensuring that citizens with conditions not treatable locally can access urgent care abroad.

Access to safe water and reliable electricity is equally critical. The Budget provides $5 million talā each for Community Service Obligations delivered by the Samoa Water Authority and the Electric Power Corporation for new settlements, particularly for rural areas that remain unconnected.

The Government is providing $880,000 talā through the Ministry of Education and Culture’s budget, to ensure IT access for Government schools.

$2 million talā has been earmarked under the Land Transport Authority’s operational grant, for the construction of community access roads that are vital for connecting families to schools, health facilities, markets, and one another.

“By improving connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, Government is ensuring that the benefits of development extend to all communities.”

4. Driving Economic Growth and Trade Competitiveness

Sustaining economic growth and building resilience remain central to our national efforts. This Budget continues to place strong emphasis on access to finance as a key enabler for inclusive and sustainable development.

The Savalalo Market to be completed in December 2025 will increase opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises development and trade.

Government is also investing in agricultural value chains to scale up production, raise quality standards, and open opportunities for international trade.

This includes completion of the Atele Packhouse by December 2025 and new agricultural machinery and equipment for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, provided under the China Samoa Agriculture Mechanization Project.

In addition, two stock trucks and another mobile slaughter unit have been procured to support agricultural development. These measures will not only help farmers but also strengthen Samoa’s trade competitiveness and advance rural economic transformation through the District Development Program.

A total of $16 million talā has therefore been earmarked to expand concessional lending for businesses.

Of this, $10 million talā will be provided through the Development Bank of Samoa to support private sector growth, particularly in manufacturing, commercial agriculture, and tourism.

A further $6 million talā will be shared between the Samoa Business Hub and the Development Bank of Samoa to strengthen targeted support for MSMEs, ensuring grassroot entrepreneurs can access concessional financing to grow their ventures.

“Expanding access to finance and markets will unlock the creativity and productivity of our people.”

5. Reforming Institutions and Public Service Delivery

Strengthening governance is vital to sustaining long-term growth. This Budget provides for the establishment of two new institutions. The Ministry of Customs and Revenue will now operate separately as the Ministry for Revenue, focusing on domestic revenue collections and the Ministry of Customs with a stronger focus on border security for trade facilitation.

The Samoa Export Authority will now be officially operational as a Public Beneficial Body, focusing on driving trade promotion and export development.

Two state owned enterprises will be integrated under relevant Ministries. The Samoa Land Corporation will now be merged into the Ministry for Lands and Survey, while the Samoa Sports Facilities Authority will transition into the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

These reforms are designed to streamline service delivery, enhance transparency, and align institutions with policy goals.

“We are also strengthening digital systems to improve data efficiency and transparency across government, ensuring that every talā spent can be traced to impact,” said the Minister.

“Strong institutions are central to sustainable growth. Our culture, faith, and shared identity remain the compass of this journey — guiding how we serve, build, and grow together as a united Samoa,” the Minister stated.

The Finance Committee has 14 days to screen the Budget and will report back to Parliament by 22 October when the budget debate will start. Government expects the budget to be passed by the end of this month.