From Crisis to Opportunity

Founded amid the disruption of global markets and local livelihoods, Vanuatu Basket began with the mission to create sustainable economic activity through value-added agricultural processing and expanded market access for local produce. Since its inception, the startup has grown to work closely with smallholder farmers, helping them bring local crops to broader markets and improve their incomes.

By developing innovative agricultural techniques and supply chains, the venture has contributed to diversifying Vanuatu’s traditionally tourism-dependent economy — a shift experts say is crucial in building resilience against future shocks.

Powering Rural Communities

But agriculture is just one part of the story. Vanuatu Basket is also exploring opportunities in renewable energy, aligning its work with the nation’s green energy agenda. One long-term goal includes the production of coconut-derived biofuels that could potentially replace diesel in power generation, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and supporting climate-friendly energy solutions.

This focus on sustainable energy — including solar technologies and biofuel research — positions the startup as a pioneer in linking economic development with environmental stewardship, especially in rural areas that have long struggled with limited access to reliable power.

Driving a Broader Startup Ecosystem

Vanuatu’s experience mirrors a rising wave of post-pandemic entrepreneurial energy in the Pacific, where small enterprises are emerging as key drivers of diversification and economic resilience. Other ventures across the country are also innovating in areas like renewable micro-grids and sustainable agricultural practices, benefiting from government support and targeted training initiatives.

Government measures to simplify licensing and build capacity for small-and-medium enterprises, combined with regional support from development partners, have helped nurture an ecosystem where startups can thrive despite ongoing challenges such as access to finance and high operational costs.

A Growing Engine of Local Development

While Vanuatu’s startup scene remains in its early stages, the achievements of ventures like Vanuatu Basket underscore the potential of locally driven innovation to transform economic sectors that were once overshadowed by tourism. Analysts suggest that sustained support for such enterprises could play a critical role in achieving broader goals for inclusive and resilient economic growth.

As Vanuatu continues to recover from the pandemic’s impacts, initiatives that blend community engagement, sustainability, and commercial ambition are setting a promising course — illustrating how adversity can spark new engines of national progress.