Promote:
Invest in Samoa
A short guide for companies expanding into Samoa: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Samoa at a glance
PopulationEstimate
219,306
The World Bank reports a population of 219,306 in 2025.
Source: World Bank, Samoa population, WDI, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$1.29 billion
The World Bank reports GDP of US$1,287,936,622 in current dollars for fiscal year 2024/25, which ended June 30, 2025.
Source: World Bank, Samoa GDP, WDI, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2024/25
GDP per personEstimate
US$5,873
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$5,872.78 in current dollars for fiscal year 2024/25, which ended June 30, 2025.
Source: World Bank, Samoa GDP per person, WDI, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2024/25
Real GDP growthEstimate
4.2%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 4.2 percent for fiscal year 2024/25, which ended June 30, 2025.
Source: World Bank, Samoa real GDP growth, WDI, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2024/25
Inflation
3.4%
The Samoa Bureau of Statistics reports a 3.4 percent rise in consumer prices in September 2026 over September 2025, mainly from higher transport fuel prices.
Source: Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$2.25 million
UNCTAD reports foreign direct investment inflows of US$2.251 million into Samoa in 2025.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment flows and stock (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Samoan tala.
Source: Pacific Data Hub, Samoa merchandise exports, DF_IMTS (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour's Industry Development and Investment Promotion Division promotes, registers and monitors foreign investment.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Industry and investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Samoa's Investment Guide says a foreign investor makes three main stops: the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, the Ministry of Revenue and the immigration and employment permit offices.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Six activities are reserved for Samoan citizens: public bus transport, taxis, rental vehicles, retailing of food and drink, saw milling, and traditional elei garment design and printing.
Source: Government of Samoa, Foreign Investment Act 2000 (consolidation to 2022) (opens in a new tab) · as of December 31, 2022
Neither the Ministry's Investment Guide 2026 nor its National Investment Policy Statement 2026 lists an investment, industrial or special economic zone.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Samoa
- Register the company on the online company registry; foreign shareholders need the company number for the next step.Ministry of Commerce, Industry and LabourSAT$250 for a local company; SAT$300 for an overseas companyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Submit the Foreign Investment Registration form to get a Foreign Investment Certificate, which the Chief Executive Officer approves.Ministry of Commerce, Industry and LabourSAT$50 to lodge and SAT$50 to issue; valid 12 monthsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Register for VAGST on form IR31 if your turnover requires it, and for PAYE on form IR11 if you employ people.Ministry of RevenueVAGST registration is not required below SAT$130,000 turnoverOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Apply for a business license with the certificate, a site map, proof of funds and, for companies, the certificate of incorporation.Ministry of RevenueSAT$282 per activity and location for a sole trader or partnership; SAT$640 for a companyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Show 5 more set-up steps
- Add the sector approvals your license asks for, such as a health compliance certificate for food, tourism authority confirmation for accommodation, or a fuel license.Ministry of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Apply for a foreign employee employment permit at the Samoa Immigration Office, then for residence permits; the Ministry assesses the work permit.Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet5 to 10 days for the work permit assessmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- To use land, negotiate a lease: customary land is leased through the Ministry of Lands and Survey for 30 years (hotel or industrial) or 20 years (other uses).Ministry of Lands and SurveyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Samoa Commerce Ministry, National Investment Policy Statement, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Open a bank account with a licensed commercial bank; non-residents may hold external or foreign currency accounts, subject to the bank's due diligence.Central Bank of SamoaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Samoa Commerce Ministry, National Investment Policy Statement, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Get Central Bank approval before capital payments abroad, such as dividends or loan repayments; the BOP2 approval form is valid for one month.Central Bank of SamoaUp to 3 business days for approvalOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with MCIL and Customs. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment and industry ministry
MCIL
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
Registers foreign investment and companies, runs duty concession schemes, administers standards, and publishes the Investment Guide and Samoa Trade Portal links.
Visit MCIL (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Industry and investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Cabinet ministry with immigration
MPMC
Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Its Samoa Immigration division handles permits, citizenship and border services.
Visit MPMC (opens in a new tab)Source: Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministry, Samoa Immigration, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Small business support body
SBH
Samoa Business Hub
Offers business advisory services, training and a business loan guarantee scheme for small and medium businesses.
Visit SBH (opens in a new tab)Source: Samoa Business Hub, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Ministry of Customs
Clears exports of goods made in Samoa before shipment.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank and exchange control
CBS
Central Bank of Samoa
Issues export permits, certifies Export Form E and approves capital payments abroad under exchange control.
Visit CBS (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Tax and business license authority
MOR
Ministry of Revenue
Issues business licenses, registers taxpayers and publishes tax and business license forms.
Visit MOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Revenue, home page and forms, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
SCCI
Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents private businesses and offers advocacy, training and networking.
Visit SCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Samoa Chamber of Commerce, home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Women's development organization
WIBDI
Women in Business Development Inc.
Supports vulnerable families through certified organic farming and fine mat weaving income projects.
Visit WIBDI (opens in a new tab)Source: Women in Business Development Inc., home page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The Central Bank's June 2026 review changed no exchange control policy; exports above SAT$500 need its permit, and proceeds return within two months.
What to do: Agree payment terms that return proceeds within two months, and file Form E before you ship.
Sources: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab); Central Bank of Samoa, Exchange Control Information Booklet, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Reserved sectors
Six activities are reserved for Samoan citizens, and fishing vessels, nonu, virgin coconut oil and several services have equity or joint venture conditions.
What to do: Check Schedules 1 and 2 of the Foreign Investment Act 2000 before you start a project.
Sources: Government of Samoa, Foreign Investment Act 2000 (consolidation to 2022) (opens in a new tab); Samoa Commerce Ministry, National Investment Policy Statement, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customary land
About 81 percent of Samoa is customary land; it cannot be sold and is leased for 20 or 30 years.
What to do: Ask the Ministry of Lands and Survey about lease terms before you commit capital.
Source: Samoa Commerce Ministry, National Investment Policy Statement, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Currency and settlement
Capital payments abroad, including dividends and loan repayments, need prior Central Bank approval, which generally takes up to three business days.
What to do: Include approval time and the one-month BOP2 validity in your payment schedule.
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, exchange control notice, 31 July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more
Inflation and energy prices
The Central Bank forecast in June 2026 that inflation would rise from 1.0 percent in May 2026 to 3.8 percent by June 2027, mainly from oil prices.
What to do: Review wage and price assumptions in your budget against each new inflation release.
Source: Central Bank of Samoa, monetary policy decision, 29 June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Labor supply and migration
The IMF's September 2026 summary lists labor shortages from continued outward migration among Samoa's medium-term growth constraints.
What to do: Start recruitment and training early, and apply for employment permits before staff travel.
Sources: International Monetary Fund, Samoa Article IV press release, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Samoa Investment Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Samoa with other countriesSet Samoa beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Samoa project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Samoa is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.