Vanimo-Green youths complete financial inclusion training

79 young men and women from Vanimo-Green have successfully completed a three-day Financial Inclusion Training, becoming the first group in Papua New Guinea to receive the training under the National Youth Engagement Strategy [NYES].

The training was organised by the National Youth Development Authority [NYDA] in partnership with the Vanimo-Green district administration and Mama Bank.

It is aimed to equip young people with practical skills in budgeting, saving, basic business management and financial planning to help them start and grow small businesses.

Speaking during the certificate presentation, NYDA Director General Joe Itaki commended the Vanimo-Green DA for taking a proactive approach in identifying and registering the participants.

Itaki said the district had shown strong leadership by preparing young people with the knowledge and skills needed to build sustainable livelihoods through small businesses.

One of the architects of NYES, Dickson Kiragi, said the program supports the government's commitment to creating more opportunities for young people.

"Last December we signed a joint implementation plan with the Vanimo-Green District Administration, making Vanimo-Green one of the target districts for the National Youth Engagement Strategy," Kiragi said. "The district has taken the lead by registering its young people through the online youth registration system, allowing us to identify their needs and provide training like this."

He said districts across Papua New Guinea are encouraged to register their youth populations so the NYDA can work with them to deliver programs that match the needs and interests of local young people.

Kiragi said the participants in Vanimo-Green had shown a strong interest in starting businesses in the informal sector, which led to the financial inclusion training being delivered in partnership with Mama Bank.

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion, Jason Peter, encouraged the participants to begin with whatever resources they have and grow their businesses over time.

Sharing his own experience, the Minister said he started by selling peanuts and ice blocks before entering business and later politics.

"Start small, but dream big. Everyone's business journey is different, so don't compete with others. Grow at your own pace and stay committed," he told the graduates.

Also in attendance was Vanimo-Green MP and Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah, who congratulated the participants for becoming the first group in the country to complete the training under the National Youth Engagement Strategy.

Namah announced a K1,000 start-up support for each participant who has opened a Mama Bank account, encouraging them to use the funds to establish or expand their small businesses.

The National Youth Engagement Strategy 2025–2029 is a national initiative aimed at improving employment, entrepreneurship and skills development for young people, with Vanimo-Green serving as one of the country's pilot districts.