The power of local leadership and sustainable investment

Lotopoha Export Trading is a female-owned agribusiness in Kolonga, Tonga, with 14 years of operation. For owner Mele Sisi Finefeuiaki, family farming was just part of their daily activities until she decided to transform it into a sustainable livelihood in 2011.

(Image: Mele Sisi Finefeuiaki at right)

Specialising in processing root crops and exporting frozen produce, the business initially focused on cassava to New Zealand, before expanding in 2014 to include yams, taro, and breadfruit and then expanding its exports to include Australia.

With these milestones, it seemed it was heading in the right direction until COVID-19 disrupted operations. Without an export market, Lotopoha Export Trading maintained momentum by selling greater volumes to local customers. Then once the market reopened productivity picked up again.

However, the business suffered another disruption from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in 2022. Despite the hurdles the business demonstrated strong recovery through reinvestment, market re-engagement, and operational rebuilding.

Being a businesswoman is hard in general, but for Mele being one in Tonga felt like more closed doors, than open doors. She credits her faith with sustaining the business and helping it reach where it is today.

“Lotopoha Export Trading has provided me skills, strengths and abilities I did not know I was capable of, I learned a lot,” said Mele.

BLP Co-Investment Fund support

Now they are experiencing another milestone by becoming the first Tongan company approved for the BLP Co-Investment Fund, enabling the purchase of a solar-powered refrigerated container. This critical investment enhances cold storage capacity for root crops destined for export.

The BLP Co-Investment Fund provides financial support by matching MSME investments to increase the size and impact of larger projects.

“I am very grateful and lucky to have received BLP’s help. It was an essential need for my business. I struggled thinking how I was going to acquire it when BLP entered,” stated Mele.

The solar powered refrigerated container addresses several key business challenges:

Reduces reliance on unreliable and costly grid electricity, providing a stable, sustainable power source

• Improves product quality control, ensuring exports meet strict market standards
• Minimises post-harvest losses by maintaining optimal storage conditions
• Supports climate adaptation using solar-powered infrastructure, addressing the business’s reliance on costly and unreliable grid power to improve operational efficiency.
• For staff, the refrigerated container will reduce the need for overtime and the strain of peeling crops in cold conditions. It will also improve staff well-being by easing workloads and allowing more time to focus on other areas of the business that need attention.

Lotopoha Export Trading is a strong supporter of gender equity, with 63% of its workforce comprised of women, empowering local communities through meaningful employment. Success from this initiative is expected to ensure continued support for the Kolonga community and encourage youth to enter the agriculture business.

Looking into the future, Mele Sisi Finefeuiaki wants to expand her growing business into other markets. She urges other SMEs to reach out and take the opportunities BLP offers to fulfil the dreams of their business.

Lotopoha Export Trading’s journey shows how local leadership, persistence, and targeted investment can strengthen businesses and communities. With improved cold storage infrastructure, renewable energy, and a committed workforce, the business is better positioned to overcome export challenges, support local livelihoods, and continue building a more resilient and sustainable future for Tonga’s agriculture sector.

BLP supports SMEs across 12 Pacific Island nations by connecting businesses with quality advisory services, business tools, grants, concessionary lending, and other financial services designed to support inclusive and resilient private sector growth.

To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business's resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.