The Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea (SCPNG), in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and other key financial institutions, successfully delivered the Young Minds Savings Campaign and Investor Education Awareness in Western Highlands Province from 17th to 20th March 2026.
The campaign, aligned with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027 and MTDP IV (2023–2027) under the Strategic Economic Investments priority area, emphasized expanding economic growth and strengthening financial inclusion across Papua New Guinea.
The program began with an Investor Education session on 17th March at Sir Mara Haus in Mt Hagen, attended by provincial government officials. This was followed by the Young Minds Savings Campaign from 18th–20th March across six (6) schools; Togoba Primary and Secondary, Paglum Primary and Secondary and Ogelbeng Primary and Secondary, covering three (3) districts, Hagen Central, Tambul Nebilyer, and Mul Baiyer.
The campaign combined investor education and savings awareness, equipping students, teachers, and provincial government stakeholders with vital knowledge on financial literacy on savings, banking services, and investment opportunities.
During the Young Mind Savings Campaign, over 8,000 students took part, visiting awareness booths, engaging directly with financial institutions, and opening bank accounts. At the same time, investor education sessions were facilitated for teachers at the respective schools, ensuring that both students and educators benefited from the campaign.
SCPNG Acting CEO James Joshua highlighted the importance of investor education in protecting Papua New Guineans from scam investment schemes.
“It is crucial for our people to know the correct investment pathways and how to protect themselves from scam investment schemes. Many potential investors today are scammed due to lack of information. Through investor education, people will know where to invest rightfully and how to identify scams and protect their hard-earned monies.”
He added that the awareness was equally important for students.
“The Young Minds Savings Campaign allows SCPNG to educate students that after savings comes investments. We are educating young people at an early stage, to know about investments in the capital markets, so they know where to invest, and how to protect their hard-earned monies in the future.”
Deputy Provincial Administrator, Mr. Esley Tikil, during the Investor Education session at Sir Mara Haus, highlighted how vital the campaign is for Western Highlands Province.
“This campaign is a first of its kind and is beneficial for all, as Western Highlands is the trade hub linking the Highlands Region and Lae. Many people here are engaged in SMEs and such information on savings and investments is vital for our young generations and everyone in Western Highlands.”
“Many of us did not know where to invest. We acknowledge the investor education led by CEFI, SCPNG, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Department of Treasury, and other institutions. We now understand the different types of investments available, where to go, and how to invest wisely. Most importantly, we have also learned how to protect ourselves from scam investment schemes.”
He added by highlighting how the campaign would impact the younger generations.
“This campaign will have a great impact on students as it opens their minds to savings and investments. With their first bank accounts, they can begin a culture of savings and not only venture into SMEs but also participate in investments.”
Many students expressed enthusiasm, with Grade 12 student Jacky Yeponts from Paglum Secondary School shared his experience.
“I have learnt a lot from the regulators and the financial institutions, from banking to savings and investments. This awareness is encouraging all of us to save, how to look after the legal tender and on how we can later invest so we can build our lives better and have financial freedom.”
During the Young Minds Savings Campaign, Peter Samuel, Acting Executive Director of CEFI, emphasized the complementary role of savings and investments.
“Savings and investments are two sides of the same coin. By teaching our young people to save early, we are laying the foundation for them to understand investments later. This campaign is about building financial discipline and preparing students to achieve financial freedom in the future.”
Participating agencies included CEFI, SCPNG, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Bank of South Pacific, MiBank, Tisa Bank, National Development Bank (NDB), National Banking Corporation (NBC), Nasfund, and Nambawan Super, while the Department of Treasury took part only in the Investor Education session. These institutions engaged with students, teachers, and provincial government officials on topics ranging from financial markets systems, savings, budgeting, currency, and foreign exchange to banking services and investment options.
SCPNG looks forward to expanding investor education awareness programs across Papua New Guinea, equipping people with the knowledge to participate in capital markets, invest wisely, and protect themselves from scam investment schemes.
