- Fiji’s National Digital Strategy aims to improve connectivity, cybersecurity, and public services.
- Despite advancements, the country still faces challenges in reaching remote areas and increasing digital inclusion.
What happened: Fiji’s digital strategy and infrastructure advancements
Fiji’s internet infrastructure has seen significant improvements, particularly with the launch of the National Digital Strategy (NDS) in April 2025. This strategy focuses on five key areas: Digital Infrastructure, Cyber Resilience, Digital Inclusion, Innovation-Led Economic Growth, and Smart Governance. One of the central aspects of the strategy is expanding connectivity across the archipelago, particularly to rural and remote communities, where internet access remains limited.
As of 2023, approximately 79.3% of Fiji’s population uses the internet, a substantial increase from just 48% in 2018. Mobile broadband has become the primary mode of access, aided by satellite services that have helped fill the connectivity gaps in more isolated areas. Furthermore, the establishment of Fiji-IX, an Internet Exchange Point, has improved local internet traffic routing and reduced latency. While Fiji’s infrastructure is growing, affordability remains an issue for lower-income households.
Fiji is also improving its international connectivity with the development of subsea cables like the Bulikula and Tabua cables, which are expected to enhance global data links by 2026. Data centres are expanding, and local content delivery networks (CDNs) are growing, though local content hosting still lags behind the regional average.
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Why it’s important
Fiji’s digital transformation offers a glimpse of how small island nations can build resilience in a digital economy. By focusing on internet infrastructure, Fiji aims to foster economic growth, improve government services, and enhance cybersecurity. However, these efforts raise several questions.
Is the country doing enough to address the digital divide? While major urban centres are benefiting from improvements, rural areas still lack reliable internet access. Will the infrastructure investments lead to widespread affordable access, or will they primarily benefit those already well-connected? Additionally, Fiji faces challenges in developing a skilled workforce to support its digital ambitions. Without addressing these gaps, it remains uncertain whether the digital strategy will be inclusive and sustainable.
