The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has recently released a new annual report outlining regional e-commerce priorities for 2026, aimed at guiding coordinated action and investment across the Pacific’s digital trade ecosystem.
The Pacific E-commerce Priorities Report 2025 draws on three online surveys of members of the Pacific E-commerce Committee and its two sub-committees representing the private sector and development partners. The findings provide a multi-stakeholder view of the most urgent areas for implementation in 2026.
The surveys focused on measures in the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap with the lowest levels of implementation, as identified in the strategy’s 2024 monitoring and evaluation report. Of the strategy’s 54 measures, respondents were asked to prioritise action on 31 that remain least advanced.
Key priorities for regional action in 2026 identified by respondents include:
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Trade facilitation and logistics: Development of regional freight assistance packages to address high shipping costs that continue to constrain Pacific businesses.
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Electronic payment solutions: Improved interoperability between payment providers and partnerships with major financial institutions to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of digital financial services.
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Legal and regulatory frameworks: Adoption of UNCITRAL model laws and international e-commerce standards to strengthen trust and cross-border consistency.
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E-commerce skills development: Training and upskilling for businesses, women entrepreneurs and policymakers to enable broader participation in the digital economy.
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Access to finance for e-commerce: Support for credit guarantee schemes, innovation grants and alternative financing options for Pacific micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups.
The report also highlights ongoing initiatives aligned with these priorities, including payment system upgrades in Fiji and Vanuatu, the introduction of e-transaction laws, and the rollout of digital skills programmes. However, it notes that progress has been limited in some critical areas, particularly regional freight assistance.
By identifying areas of agreement among governments, the private sector and development partners, the report is intended to support planning and investment decisions and keep regional efforts aligned with the Pacific’s digital trade transformation goals.
The Pacific E-commerce Priorities Report will be published annually in the fourth quarter to provide an updated assessment of challenges and opportunities in the region’s digital economy. For more information, stakeholders can contact the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat at ecommerce@forumsec.org
