Category Listing
INFORMAL & MICRO BUSINESS
The Micro Enterprise Awards applies to the Informal Sector either a Start-Up or Micro Entrepreneurs. These are locally owned businesses with fewer than five employees, an asset value not exceeding K20,000, and an annual income below K200,000, typically operating in informal or community-based market. These businesses must have been operating for a minimum of 3 years and most active in the last 12 months from the issuance of this Awards form.
1.Mama Bank Community Commerce Award
Recognizes grassroots entrepreneurs driving local trade and economic empowerment, especially in underserved communities. Highlights informal sector leaders creating opportunities for families and villages.
2. Mi Bank Market Meri Award
This award honors outstanding women-led market enterprises that exemplify resilience and innovation. It celebrates female entrepreneurs whose ventures bolster family incomes and drives growth. Eligible nominees must be officially registered and operational with the IPA and IRC.
3. BNG Trading Baker Mama Award
Acknowledges talented home and small-scale bakers delivering quality, tradition, and taste. Highlights their creativity and contribution to food microbusinesses. Eligible nominees must be officially registered and operational with the IPA and IRC.
4. Emerging Venture Excellence Award
Spotlights an emerging venture showing outstanding promise, leadership, and growth within its first few years. Focuses on strong vision, early achievements, and scalable impact. Eligible nominees must be officially registered and operational with the IPA and IRC.
SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS
Generally defined, SMEs are businesses with 5 to 100 employees, an asset net worth between K20,000 and K10 million, and an annual income ranging from K200,000 up to K10 million, operating formally and contributing to broader economic development.
1. Moni Plus Road Transport Services Award
This award recognizes transport providers across Papua New Guinea for delivering safe, reliable, and customer-focused services. It highlights operators that excel in business efficiency and the vital delivery of essential mobility solutions. Nominees offering chauffeur services, innovative taxi operations, or app-based ride-sharing platforms—and holding formal IPA business registration—will receive additional consideration.
2. TE PNG Security Services Award
This award honors private security firms that exemplify professionalism, prioritize community safety, and empower their teams. It celebrates organizations renowned for consistent, ethical operations. Nominees must demonstrate current compliance with the Security Industry Authority. Other Internationally recognized accreditations and corporate client references will be considered advantageous.
3. Hino Excellence in Civil Road Construction
This award celebrates SMEs transforming Papua New Guinea’s infrastructure through innovation, sustainability, and skilled workforce engagement. It recognizes outstanding achievements in roads, drainage, and utility works.SMEs engaged with the Connect PNG Program are invited to submit nominations. Applications supported by commendations from the Department of Works and Highways or from provincial and district works offices will receive additional consideration. Nominees must have no unresolved service disputes with the State of Papua New Guinea.
4. Hardware Haus Building Construction Award
Acknowledges excellence in small and medium building firms delivering residential or commercial construction projects. Emphasizes quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
5. City Pharmacy Primary Healthcare Service Award
Honors SMEs offering accessible health services in local communities. Recognizes affordable care, community outreach, and health education.
6. International Training Institute – ICT Integration Excellence Award
Celebrates tech-driven businesses using ICT to enhance operations, service delivery, and growth. Focuses on practical innovation and digital transformation.
7. UNCDF Excellence in Community Banking and Financial Access Award
This award recognizes inclusive banking and fintech models that broaden financial access in remote or marginalized communities. It spotlights innovations in money transfers, digital savings, lending, and financial literacy initiatives. Rural and Community Bank Agencies are encouraged to submit nominations.
8. Credit Bank eCommerce Award
Awards forward-thinking businesses leading in online sales, digital payment systems, and customer engagement. Promotes the evolution of PNG’s digital economy.
9. Kina Bank Innovative C Sustainable Solutions Entrepreneur Award
Spotlights an entrepreneur addressing environmental or social challenges through business innovation. Recognizes scalable solutions aligned with sustainability goals.
10. Kina Bank Greenpreneurs Excellence Award
Celebrates eco-focused SME leaders promoting renewable energy, waste reduction, or green supply chains. Encourages climate action through enterprise.
11. Yamaha Ocean Guardian Entrepreneur Award
Honors ventures safeguarding marine environments through conservation, sustainable fishing, or coastal protection efforts. Emphasizes stewardship and community education.
12. Maku Gifts Excellence in Textile and Garments Award
This award honors creative artisans and businesses specializing in textiles, clothing, and accessories, celebrating their role in showcasing Papua New Guinea’s rich traditions of fashion and craftsmanship. Entrants must demonstrate an established in-store retail presence, and those whose products are carried by major retail chains will receive additional consideration.
13. Retail Excellence Award
This award honors locally operated retail businesses that demonstrate outstanding customer service, growth strategy, and brand presence. It encourages professionalism in SME retailing. Locally owned trading shops and franchisees are invited to submit nominations.
14. PNGAustralia Partnership Yumi Wantok Award
The Yumi Stap Wantaim Award will specifically recognise SMEs that demonstrate not only business growth and resilience—in turnover, market share and profitability—but importantly exemplify the values of partnership, community engagement and service (or ‘working together’). This criterion reflects both quantitative achievements and qualitative strengths in leadership, sustainability, and social responsibility, aligning strongly with Australia's broader development and diplomacy goals in PNG. Business owners and SMEs owned by women, as well as those who have engaged directly with the Australian Government or participated in any programs supported through the PNG-Australia Partnership (i.e. Australian Awards, short trainings, business dealings with or in Australia, etc) will be strongly encouraged to apply.
15. Stop N Shop Fresh Producer Award
Awards local growers and food producers supplying high-quality, fresh goods to markets or retailers. Encourages sustainable agriculture and food safety.
16. Tisa Bank Agri-Based Retail Product Award
This award celebrates SME brands that transform agricultural products into market-ready retail offerings. It encourages value-added innovation and packaging excellence. Producers of downstream- processed spices, honey, chocolates, coffee, cocoa, and coconut products that are fully branded, consumer-tested, standards-approved, and sold in major PNG supermarkets are encouraged to submit nominations.
17. Tisa Bank Excellence in Coffee Production & Export Award
Honors producers excelling in quality coffee cultivation, processing, and export success. Highlights PNG’s global contribution in specialty coffee.
18. Tisa Bank Outstanding Cocoa Enterprise Award
Recognizes cocoa growers or processors advancing product quality, sustainability, and market reach. Supports local livelihoods and international trade.
19. Tisa Bank Sustainable Coconut Enterprise Award
Awards businesses leveraging coconuts for diverse, eco-friendly products while supporting smallholder farmers. Encourages zero-waste and agroecological practices
20. Cultural Heritage Excellence Award
This award celebrates SMEs that preserve and promote PNG’s diverse cultural traditions through products, services, or experiences, fostering pride in indigenous heritage. Nominees must be registered with the National Cultural Commission and verified by the TPA for cross-referencing, with certificates presented upon request.
21. Creative Excellence in Music and Visual Arts Award
This award supports the growth of PNG’s art economy by honoring artists or studios that produce outstanding visual or musical works captivating audiences on YouTube and Facebook. Eligible nominees must be registered with IPA as a business, hold a TIN, and maintain a bank account to demonstrate operational status.
22. Community Connection Award
This award honors tourism and service ventures that cultivate genuine connections between local communities and visitors. It spotlights inclusive storytelling and authentic cultural exchanges. Eligible nominees must be registered with the National Cultural Commission, verified by the TPA for cross- referencing, and able to present certificates upon request.
23. Culinary Excellence Award
This award recognizes food entrepreneurs delivering exceptional cuisine grounded in tradition, creativity, and hospitality. It spotlights PNG’s culinary identity and innovative spirit. Standalone restaurants and eateries, as well as outdoor catering companies serving large-scale events with HACCP accreditation, will have an advantage.
24. Creative Music Artist of the Year Award
Honors a young music artist creating bold, original work that inspires and entertains. Recognizes cultural influence and audience impact.
25. Digital Content Creator of the Year Award
This award spotlights a standout digital creator excelling in engaging, informative, or entertaining content across online platforms. It champions creativity and digital literacy. Eligible nominees are IPA- registered producers of short videos, documentaries, and comedic content. YouTubers must be based in PNG. Personal Opinion-Public commentators and creators of fake news or propaganda reviews are not eligible.
26. Outstanding Fitness Business Award
Recognizes young entrepreneurs in health and wellness driving fitness solutions, community engagement, and lifestyle transformation. Encourages holistic well-being through enterprise.
27. Mama Bank Janet Sape Resilient Businesswomen Award
Honors visionary women entrepreneurs whose perseverance and innovation have created lasting economic impact in their communities, often in the face of significant challenges. Inspired by the legacy of Janet Sape, the award celebrates women who uplift others through enterprise, inclusion, and fearless determination.
28. Moni Plus Bernard B Chan – PLWD SME Empowerment Award
This award recognizes entrepreneurs with disabilities who have demonstrated exceptional resilience and leadership in building sustainable livelihoods. It celebrates inclusive economic participation and honors individuals who inspire change through business innovation and advocacy. Entrepreneurs with congenital or acquired disabilities—including amputees, individuals with paraplegia, and those with broader mobility or sensory impairments—are encouraged to nominate.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP HONOURS
Honouring courageous and resilient contributors who drive transformation, economic independence, and social cohesion within Papua New Guinea and its extended regional communities.
29. Bougainville Entrepreneur Award
Honors exceptional individuals who demonstrate innovation, resilience, and impact in advancing sustainable economic development across Bougainville. This recognition highlights entrepreneurs whose ventures contribute meaningfully to community empowerment, job creation, and inclusive growth.
30. IPBC Business Award
The IPBC Awards for West Papuans by Origin honor individuals of West Papuan heritage—whether full or mixed—who have embraced life in Papua New Guinea through Refugee status, Permission Residence, or Naturalized Citizenship. These awards celebrate remarkable resilience, adaptability, and the courageous pursuit of economic integration and contribution within PNG's national landscape.
COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES BUSINESS GROUP
1. Coffee Cooperative of the Year
This award celebrates excellence in coffee production, processing, and marketing. PNG’s Highlands are home to some of the world’s finest Arabica beans, and this category honors cooperatives that uplift local growers, maintain quality standards, and contribute to export growth. Eligibility: Must be a registered coffee-producing cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from the National Government’s Coffee Industry Corporation, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, or (3) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
2. Cocoa Cooperative of the Year
Recognizing cooperatives that drive innovation and sustainability in cocoa farming. With PNG’s reputation for fine-flavor cocoa, this award highlights groups that support smallholders, improve fermentation practices, and connect to premium markets. Eligibility: Must be a registered cocoa-producing cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from the National Government’s Cocoa Board, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, or (3) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
3. Coconut & Copra Cooperative of the Year
This category honors cooperatives involved in coconut farming and copra processing. From oil production to value- added products, these groups play a vital role in coastal economies and traditional livelihoods. Eligibility: Must be a registered coconut/copra cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from the National Government’s Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, or (3) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
4. Spices Cooperative of the Year
Celebrating cooperatives that cultivate and market high-value spices such as vanilla, cardamom, turmeric, and ginger. These groups often operate in remote areas and contribute to niche export markets and agro-tourism. Eligibility: Must be a registered spice-producing cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from the National Government’s Spice Board, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, or (3) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
5. Livestock Cooperative of the Year
This award recognizes cooperatives engaged in raising pigs, poultry, cattle, or goats. These groups support food security, income generation, and local meat supply chains across PNG’s rural and peri-urban areas. Eligibility: Must be a registered livestock cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from any of the following will be considered an added advantage: (1) the National Government’s Livestock Development Cooperation, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Livestock, or (3) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
6. Fresh Produce Cooperative of the Year
Honoring cooperatives that grow and distribute vegetables, fruits, and root crops such as kaukau, taro, banana, and leafy greens. These groups are essential to local markets and nutrition. Eligibility: Must be a registered fresh produce cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from any of the following will be considered an added advantage: (1) the National Government’s Fresh Produce Development Authority, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, (3) foreign development partner or (4) a major corporate client will be considered an advantage
7. Grains Cooperative of the Year
This category celebrates cooperatives involved in cultivating rice, corn, sorghum, and other grains. These groups contribute to food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports. Eligibility: Must be a registered grains cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, a reference or endorsement from any of the following will be considered an added advantage: (1) the National Government’s Grain Board, (2) the Provincial Program Advisor – Agriculture, or (3) a major rice distributor will be considered an advantage.
8. Inland Aquaculture Cooperative of the Year
Recognizing cooperatives that farm freshwater species such as tilapia, carp, and prawns. These groups promote sustainable protein sources and empower communities in valleys and highlands. Eligibility: Must be a registered aquaculture cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, reference or endorsement from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) or the Provincial Program Advisor – Fisheries will be considered an advantage.
9. Maritime Fisheries Cooperative of the Year
This award honors cooperatives engaged in marine fishing, including tuna, reef fish, and crustaceans. These groups are vital to PNG’s coastal economies and global seafood supply chains. Eligibility: Must be a registered fisheries cooperative with IPA and the Cooperatives Registry. Where applicable, reference or endorsement from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) or the Provincial Program Advisor – Fisheries will be considered an advantage.
HIGHEST HONOURS
❖ Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
❖ Cooperative of the Year 2025
❖ Ela Motors SME of the Year 2025