Why the Fijian Delegation’s Visit Is a Wake-Up Call for Tonga
When Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica arrived in Tonga with a full force of Fiji’s business heavyweights, the message was clear: the Pacific’s economic tide is rising—and Tonga must decide whether to rise with it or be left behind.
This was not a routine courtesy visit. It was a declaration of intent. Fiji is no longer waiting for global superpowers or regional agencies to define its path. It is investing in itself, and now, in its neighbours. The question is: is Tonga ready to do the same?
For too long, Tonga has looked beyond the Pacific for growth—waiting on aid packages from Canberra or development grants from Beijing. But here was Fiji offering something more sustainable: partnership, innovation, and Pacific solidarity.
Fiji’s success with its tourism industry—contributing nearly 40% of its GDP—should give Tonga pause. With breathtaking natural beauty, cultural depth, and the unparalleled phenomenon of whale watching, why has Tonga not built a competitive tourism economy? The answer is leadership—or the lack thereof.
Tonga needs to stop treating its economy like a political pawn. We need bold, business-friendly policies, tax incentives for innovators, and a clear roadmap for economic sectors like ICT, green energy, fisheries, and creative industries. We cannot afford more years of policy paralysis while our neighbours take bold steps forward.
The energy-efficient LED solutions and power-saving technologies introduced by Fijian businesses could revolutionize Tonga’s high-cost power market. Their proposal of no-risk, performance-based implementation is the kind of thinking we desperately need. So why isn’t this already happening?
The delegation also reminded us of the importance of regional connectivity. Tonga’s vulnerability during the submarine cable outage showed us just how isolated we are. Fiji’s efforts to become the Pacific’s digital hub—connected by five new undersea cables by 2027—presents Tonga with a lifeline. If we act now, we can plug into this infrastructure, partner with Fijian ICT firms, and bring reliable, high-speed internet to even the most remote Tongan island.
What is at stake here is not just trade deals or cheaper sugar. It is Tonga’s future relevance in the Pacific. We are not a passive actor—we are a proud sovereign nation with resources, talent, and resilience. But we must match that pride with planning, and that resilience with reform.
This delegation visit should be a turning point. Let us welcome our Fijian brothers and sisters not only with hospitality, but with readiness to partner, co-create, and build. Let’s learn from Fiji’s success stories, replicate what works, and add our own Tongan ingenuity to the mix.
And to our leaders—this is your moment. Don’t let it pass. Remove bureaucratic red tape, empower the Chamber of Commerce, support MSMEs, and fast-track innovation. Open the door to partnerships that work and walk through it with courage.
Because the Pacific future is being written now—and Tonga must take its rightful place as a contributor, not just a beneficiary.
Mālō ‘aupito. Vinaka vakalevu. Let us rise—together.
Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News
