Category Listing
INFORMAL & MICRO BUSINESS
This award cluster recognizes locally owned businesses that operate within informal or community-based markets. To qualify, businesses must have been active for a minimum of three years and demonstrated significant engagement within the past 12 months prior to the release of this awards form. Eligible enterprises include informal businesses, formally registered micro enterprises, and startups. They must employ fewer than five staff members, possess assets not exceeding K200,000, and report annual income below K200,000.
1.Mama Bank Community Commerce Award
Recognizes grassroots women entrepreneurs driving local trade and economic empowerment, especially in underserved communities. Highlights informal sector women 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. Businesses across all sectors are welcome to submit nominations, including those from industries not traditionally featured in the SME Awards—such as professional services, cleaning, nursing triage, horticulture, and many others.
SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS
The SME Awards applies to locally owned businesses with 5 to 100 employees, have assets valued between K200,000 and K10 million, and general annual income ranging from K200,000 up to K10 million. These businesses must have been operating for a minimum of 5 years and most active in the last 12 months from the issuance of this Awards form.
1. Yamaha Blue Entreprenuer Award
This award celebrates enterprises in the blue economy that demonstrate leadership in the fisheries sector while maintaining a strong commitment to marine conservation and sustainability. It recognizes efforts to protect waterways, restore habitats, and promote responsible stewardship of ocean resources, all while balancing entrepreneurial growth with commercial success.
2. Hino Green Growth Champion Award
This award honors enterprises that advance agriculture while balancing innovation with sustainability. It celebrates contributions to food security, accessibility, and modern farming practices that empower rural communities. Recognition extends to local downstream processing and commodity exporters of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, and spices. The highest achievers are determined by their success in market expansion, whether within Papua New Guinea or abroad.
3. Toyota Tourism Leadership Award
This award recognizes businesses that elevate tourism by delivering unique, high-value experiences. It highlights innovation across cultural, natural, and community-based tourism, with a strong alignment to international visitor demand. The focus is on creating experiential tributary sites that showcase authenticity and drive meaningful engagement
4. Hardware Haus Builders Award
This award recognizes excellence in construction and building services, honoring firms that deliver quality, functionality, and innovation across housing, infrastructure, and maritime small craft building. It highlights enterprises that reflect emerging trends in wellness and adaptive design, setting new standards for sustainable and resilient development.
5. City Pharmacy Medical Services Award
Celebrates enterprises delivering outstanding healthcare services. It acknowledges innovation in medical access, rural outreach, and community health impact, especially in underserved areas.
6. TEPNG Security Services Award
Recognizes excellence in security service delivery. It highlights companies that combine operational excellence, innovation, and trust to safeguard communities and businesses.
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.
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.
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. Community & Youth Empowerment Champion Award
Presented to a cooperative that demonstrates outstanding commitment to empowering communities and youth through personal development, business viability training, and inclusive livelihood programs. This includes initiatives in marine and coastal aquaculture, tourism (site-seeing, hospitality, trade stores), and inland farming that foster sustainable growth, skills development, and economic resilience. 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