Editorial: Leadership by Example — What Hon. Aisake Eke’s Record Says About the Standard Tonga Needs
As Tonga’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Aisake Eke has stabilised the country’s aid dependence and strengthened fiscal discipline. His performance shows what capable leadership can achieve — and what other ministers should strive for.
When Hon. Aisake Eke was elected Prime Minister, he chose to retain the Ministry of Finance, a portfolio he had previously held and one that reflects his deep background in public finance and economic management. It placed one of Tonga’s most qualified financial minds at the centre of government. Unlike many politicians who learn fiscal management on the job, Eke built his career on it, and it shows in the numbers.
The 2025/26 Budget Statement marks the first time in four years that Tonga’s aid dependence has stopped rising. Total spending is projected at TOP 940.8 million, with development assistance accounting for 49.2 percent, a modest decline from 49.7 percent the year before. This stabilisation reflects tighter fiscal management, improved domestic revenue collection, and a stronger focus on sustainability.
Aid and Revenue Trends (FY 2021–26)
Fiscal Year | Total Budget (TOP m) | Domestic Share | Aid / Development Share | Domestic Revenue Growth |
2021/22 | 618.4 | 60.0% | 40.0% | — |
2022/23 | 764.7 | 57.1% | 42.9% | +4.3% |
2023/24 | 784.2 | 53.5% | 46.5% | +5.0% |
2024/25 | 899.2 | 50.3% | 49.7% | +5.2% |
2025/26 | 940.8 | 50.8% | 49.2% | +6.8% |
Source: Ministry of Finance Budget Statements FY 2022–26; Parliament of Tonga Budget Briefings
For a country that has relied on development partners to fund nearly half its national budget, even a small improvement is a sign of stronger stewardship. Under Eke’s leadership, the Ministry of Finance has projected a 6.8 percent increase in domestic revenue and expanded its oversight of capital spending to ensure that new projects are properly maintained and deliver value for money.
The government has also directed more funding toward sectors that strengthen Tonga from within. The Community Development Grants, now extended to every constituency, are helping local economies grow from the ground up. The SME Loan Guarantee Scheme gives small business owners access to credit with government backing, encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation. In renewable energy, Tonga has begun contributing a greater share of project funding compared with donors, a small but important step toward self-reliance.
These outcomes show that effective governance does not depend on rhetoric but on discipline and sound management. The Finance Ministry’s record reflects a consistent approach: align spending with national priorities, measure performance honestly, and make decisions for the long-term benefit of the people.
Eke’s leadership is methodical rather than political. The results include a stabilising economy, a projected 3.3 percent growth rate, and steady progress toward domestic empowerment. This is the kind of leadership standard Tonga needs more of. Ministers should not only be visible but effective, capable of managing their portfolios with seriousness and integrity.
Challenges remain. Aid still makes up nearly half of all government expenditure, and the private sector continues to face barriers such as high costs and limited access to credit. Yet the direction of travel is positive. Stability in public finance gives the next government, and the next generation of leaders, a firmer foundation to build upon.
Hon. Aisake Eke’s example reminds us that leadership is about competence, not just credentials. It is not enough for candidates to hold academic qualifications or political alliances; they must understand how government functions, how budgets work, and how fiscal policy affects everyday life.
As Tonga prepares for its next election, voters will again hold the power to shape the nation’s future. The question for every candidate and every voter is simple: who among them can truly manage the country’s resources responsibly? Eke’s record offers one clear benchmark for what capable and accountable leadership can look like.
