FDB launches Fiji’s first AI-assisted Credit Assessment Pilot

The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) today announced the launch of an AI-assisted Credit Assessment Pilot, a digital innovation designed to enhance how credit applications are assessed and processed in order to make financing faster, more accessible, and more efficient for Fijians.

The pilot introduces a secure, technology-driven platform that enables customers to submit loan applications online and receive quicker preliminary assessments supported by artificial intelligence (AI). The AI component assists in analysing applications and generating assessment insights, while final credit decisions remain with FDB’s experienced lending officers.

Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Honourable Esrom Immanuel said, the launch represented more than a technological milestone as it symbolizes Fiji’s steady transition into a digitally enabled economy.

“The AI Credit Assessment Pilot is a practical example of how innovation and policy can work hand in hand to strengthen financial inclusion, enhance service delivery, and empower our people. As outlined in the National Development Plan 2025–2029, our vision is to build a resilient, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable economy. Initiatives such as this are the building blocks of that vision which bring policy to life,” added the Minister.

FDB Chief Executive Officer Mr. Filimone Waqabaca said, the initiative reflects FDB’s commitment to responsible innovation and its mission to provide robust services to sectors and enterprises that contribute to the sustainable development of the Fijian economy.

“This pilot marks a major step in FDB’s digital transformation journey. By introducing AI into our credit assessment process, we are testing how technology can strengthen our service delivery while maintaining the integrity and customer focus that define FDB,” he said.

The 12-month pilot will initially focus on a selected group of existing FDB customers, with plans to expand the initiative to new customers upon completion of the pilot period. The initiative, co-funded by the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF) and implemented in partnership with ThirdRoc, will allow FDB to gather data, validate performance, and refine the platform before wider rollout.

“We are grateful to MDF and ThirdRoc for their partnership and support in enabling this pilot. The insights gained from this phase will inform the future of digital credit assessment in Fiji,” added Mr. Waqabaca.

This initiative aligns with the Government’s National Digital Strategy and National Development Plan, as well as the FDB 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, reinforcing the Bank’s leadership in advancing financial inclusion through responsible innovation.

“This pilot demonstrates how digital innovation can unlock new opportunities for financial inclusion in Fiji. By supporting FDB’s efforts to integrate AI into credit assessment, we aim to help make access to finance faster, fairer, and more efficient for businesses and individuals. MDF is proud to partner in this initiative, which aligns with our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth in the Pacific,” said Market Development Facility Regional Director (Pacific), Mr. Nick Wolf.

“Across Fiji, too many micro, small and medium enterprises must overcome several barriers when accessing financial services. Together with FDB and MDF, we are changing that. By equipping a trusted development bank with modern tools designed for the Pacific—consented data streams, real-time cash flow insights and AI-assisted credit analysis—we are turning weeks of manual processing into hours. The result is faster and fairer financing for more deserving businesses. We look forward to working closely with our partners on this critical initiative, a first for Fiji, to make access to credit efficient, equitable and easy for all Fijians.” said ThirdRoc, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shiv Maharaj.

The AI Credit Assessment Pilot will run for 12 months, during which FDB will monitor performance, turnaround time, and customer experience. FDB within the pilot period will evaluate its impact and consider expansion to include new applicants.