Exploring Gizo Municipal Market: A Site for Culture and Commerce

March 27, 2024

Gizo Market in Western Province, Solomon Islands.

Photo: Supplied

Located in the heart of the town’s commercial center, abounded by palm trees and the gentle lapping waters of the harbor, Gizo’s Municipal Market is a hive of activity from sun up to sun down.

This week, the Markets for Change (M4C) Project team visited the market, and experienced firsthand the economic vitality, and cultural vibrancy that attracts the local community, and visitors from further afield alike.

The market’s layout reflects the diversity of the many local talents and skills within the Western Province, displaying local products crafted and showcased by a selection of market vendors.

The Gizo Municipal Market is divided into various sectors ranging from:

Root Crops and Vegetables: Under the protective canopy, vendors display an array of fresh produce—taro, yams, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. These products sustain both locals and visitors alike.
Fisherman’s Area: Gizo is renowned for its cheap and fresh fish. Every afternoon, fishermen bring in their catch of the day, offering a variety of fish caught just outside Gizo. Whether you crave snapper, tuna, or reef fish, the market has it all.
Coconuts and Handicrafts: Coconut palms sway in the island breeze, and coconut drinks sold by the women market vendors are in abundant in supply. From coconut water to woven baskets and handicrafts, these offerings celebrate local craftsmanship.
Firewood and Cooked Food: The increase in women vendors selling cooked food is amazing with the salty sea air. Vendors sell firewood for cooking, and food stalls serve up mouthwatering island delicacies. These traditional dishes prepared by the local women, with so much passion and drive to help support their families with the income that they earn.
Seaweed Delicacy: ‘Ime’—green, slippery, and considered a delicacy. Wrapped in kakake leaves, the seaweed remains fresh until they find their way to eager plates.

Market Management and Community Engagement

Gizo Town Council: Responsible for overseeing the market, the council recognizes Gizo Market’s significance. It generates revenue for the council while providing essential services to the tourism industry.
Market Vendors Association (MVA): With over 250-300 vendors, the MVA plays a pivotal role. Their focus extends beyond commerce to includes awareness campaigns on safety, hygiene, and disaster preparedness benefit both vendors and visitors.
Gender Dynamics: Women dominate the market, engaging in various sectors. Men, particularly concentrated in the fish trade, contribute to the market’s revenue.

The M4C project is implemented by UN Women, with support from UNDP – with the focus on capacity development of the Market Vendors Association and the Municipal Council Management and staffs as duty bearers.

Vendor Dynamics

With improved infrastructure, more sellers are travelling to the main town center to sell their market produce. On peak days, vendors spill beyond the formal market structure, setting up their stalls along the busy Gizo town area.
These hardworking entrepreneurs—men and women alike—form the nucleus of the busy and engaged Gizo Market. They toil under the tropical sun, their livelihoods much dependent on the land and sea. For those from outlying areas, where daily travel is impractical, the market becomes their temporary shelter, while they look for alternative transportation back to their island.

Earnings and Aspirations

Gizo Market isn’t just about selling produce; it’s about sustaining livelihoods, and connecting as a community. Vendors earn an average of US$100-150 per week, that figure sustaining families and inspiring them to continue pursuing their dreams. Each transaction is a step toward a brighter future—a child’s education, a roof repaired, or a dream deferred no longer. Gizo Market thrives on its local and regional products. From Gizo Town itself to neighboring islands like Kolombangara, Vella, Ranogga, and Simbo, customers flock to its vibrant stalls. Here, they find the freshest produce—the heart of every meal. The market’s bounty graces hotel kitchens, restaurant tables, and humble island homes.

Economic Empowerment through ANZ Money Minded Training
27 market vendors (22 women and 5 men) from Gizo Municipal Market in the Western Province of Solomon Islands have participated in Money Minded Financial Literacy training to help transform and challenge their financial management practices.

This initiative aims to uplift local economies and empower rural communities, with Gizo serving as a key economic site for local farmers and vendors around the Western Province. The training covered topics such as managing daily income, the importance of proper record keeping, and learning to manage finance to achieve both family and business goals.

The Money Minded Financial Literacy Training is implemented through the Markets for Change (M4C) Project in partnership with ANZ Bank.

Josephine Hilly, who trades at the Gizo Municipal Market, participated in the one-day workshop and was happy she made time to attend.

Her dream is to build a two-bedroom bungalow for her family, creating a brighter future together.
Also present was Alecs Padakana. He also learned of the importance of setting smart goals, mentioning that his goal is to buy a speedboat within the next five years.

The Markets for Change Project is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. It's a project that aims to ensure equality and economic empowerment for all, including men, women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalized minority groups.

This project, which brings together various stakeholders, offers financial literacy training that connects vendors and farmers with essential service providers. This sharing of information, raising awareness, and networking opportunities have the potential to improve the livelihoods of market vendors and their families. The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP with support from the governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Together, they are making a real difference in the lives of women and men like Josephine and Alecs who are driving sustainable economic growth in rural communities across Gizo in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.

For more information, please contact:

Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | vilisi.veibataki@undp.org | +679 3227701