Adimaimalaga Tafuna'i
To outsiders, Samoa's
lush forests and
beautiful vistas
represent tropical
paradise. But for
many Samoans,
the remoteness of
their Pacific nation
results in a poverty
of opportunity.
Consequently, many
Samoans work
abroad and send part
of their income home
to their families.
These remittances,
while valuable
perpetuate a cycle in
which generations of
Samoans leave the island
for opportunity elsewhere.
Visionary entrepreneur,
Adimaimalaga (Adi)
Tafuna'i, believes
this dynamic can and
should change. Globally
minded, yet rooted in her
community, she works
to build sustainable
economic opportunities
for Samoan women
and families, in a way
that is good for people,
prosperity and the planet.
Adimaimalaga
Tafuna'i
In 1991, Adi and her friends established an organization called Women in Business Development Inc
(WIBDI) to encourage Samoan women in business. But after natural disasters proved devastating
to rural communities, Adi and her colleagues shifted their focus to village-based economic
development.
Adi was determined to enable women to earn an income where they live in order to educate, feed
and care for their families. Whereas outside experts had proposed microfinance, Adi's vision was
larger — she wanted to leverage local resources to connect Samoan women to global markets.
20 | W H O ' S W H O 2012
