Tautai – Samoa Governance for Economic Growth program strengthens and builds on the Government of Australia’s previous investments supporting the Government of Samoa to improve fiscal management and promote equitable economic growth.

The program exemplifies the Australia-Samoa Bilateral Partnership Arrangement which, recognises that the respective national interests of Samoa and Australia are served by a strong and enduring bilateral partnership. The strategic intent of the investment is to mitigate the current fiscal challenge brought about by COVID-19 and to establish a path to economic recovery and resilience.

The objective of investment is to promote economic recovery and growth in Samoa with improved fiscal efficiency, reducing the country’s vulnerability to debt and external shocks. This objective can be achieved through improved revenue management and sustainable and equitable economic growth.

Tautai responds to Samoa’s preferences for the type of delivery methods of economic aid and will focus on supporting the Samoa government’s socio-economic, financial and aid management policy reform and improvements in central government agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Trade and others.

The expected outcomes Tautai is embodied in the four following pillars.

Fiscal Management. Improved finance sector and whole-of-government coordination and oversight of reforms in revenue collection and public financial management.

Economic Stimulus and Investment. Economic stimulus investments delivered by the Government of Samoa and other partners in line with the Pathway for Development of Samoa.

Community and Private Sector Engagement. Government of Samoa policy reforms and investment choices informed and supported by industry and the community.

Multi-stakeholder Coordination. Improved integration and coordination of investments within government and with external stakeholders.

Since commencement, the program has:

Completed enumeration and provided technical assistance to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics to complete a Household Income and Expenditure Survey in 2023. The survey findings will be used to inform policy making including the re-basing of the consumer price index, and poverty and hardship reporting.

Supported the Samoa Tourism Authority’s successful roadshows in Australia showcasing Samoa’s unique attractions and cultural heritage to local suppliers.

Bolstered Samoa’s cybersecurity awareness and capacity by providing professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle cyber threats effectively thorough training workshops.

Provided technical assistance to support the development and review of the national minimum wage policy and manual. The Government of Samoa approved an increase in minimum wage from 1 July 2024, with another increment due on 1 July 2025. This adjustment supports the ability of low-income workers to fund basic living needs and reduces income inequality.

Funded the annual review of the Finance Sector which provided an opportunity for partners to collectively review progress against agreed outcomes, discuss challenges, share lessons learnt and recommendations for the way forward.

Supported the capacity development building (FY23/24) for 120 government officials in accounting, auditing, procurement, project management and human resource analytics through local and overseas trainings, twinning collaborations, conferences, and workshops.

Provided technical assistance and procured essential ICT equipment to support the Mass Voter Registration (MVR) initiative implemented by the Samoa Office of the Electoral Office. MVR aims to register and reregister the entire eligible adult voter population of Samoa for the next general election in 2026.

Samoa Tourism Authority: In a vibrant display of cultural heritage, Samoan dance troupes enthralled tourism vendors at the "Beautiful Samoa, Australia Roadshow" events held in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, Australia in August 2023.
Photo credit: Samoa Tourism Authority

Cybersecurity Training: In a collaborative effort to strengthen digital resilience, a team cybersecurity professionals from Australia conducted intensive training sessions for participants from Samoa's private and public sectors.
Photo credit: Tautai Partnership

Mass Voter Registration: Samoa modernizes voter registration with biometric data capture in a move to enhance the integrity of its electoral process.
Photo credit: DFAT-J.Kwan