The Innovation PNG Awards celebrate organisations and local communities who are solving real problems in Papua New Guinea through new ideas, smart technology and practical innovation.
Open to businesses, government agencies and innovators of all sizes, the awards recognise initiatives that improve productivity, services, sustainability and community outcomes across PNG.
First launched in 2019 by Business Advantage International in partnership with the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI), the Innovation PNG Awards have become the country’s leading platform for recognising innovation in both the private and public sectors.
After successful awards programs in 2019, 2023 and 2025, the Innovation PNG Awards return in 2026 as a standalone awards program, continuing to highlight the depth, creativity and impact of innovation across PNG.
Entries will be reviewed and shortlisted by an independent panel of local and international judges, with winners announced at a breakfast awards event in June 2026.
Key Dates
Key dates for 2026:
- 6 May 2026
POMCCI TechBrek at Lamana Hotel.
Shortlisted finalists announced. - 3 June 2026
Innovation PNG 2026 Awards Breakfast at The Hilton, from 7am to 9am.
Award winners announced.
To register your interest in attending these events, please contact us at events@businessadvantageinternational.com.
Awards process
The Innovation PNG Awards follow a clear and transparent process, from launch to judging and announcement of winners.
The awards will be judged by an independent panel of international and local experts. By entering the awards, all entrants acknowledge that the judges’ decision is final.
Entry deadline
You have until 5pm (Port Moresby time) on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to enter. Entering the awards is free.
Prizes
The three winners – one for each category – will be announced at a special Awards Breakfast in June 2026.
Winners will receive 2 tickets to the Awards Breakfast, a unique crystal glass winner’s trophy, and have the chance to speak at the event about their innovation.
Awards Categories
In 2026, there are three awards categories:
The Innovation PNG Award for Small Business
Open to businesses with less than 10 employees
Sponsored by Kina Bank, Major sponsor of the Innovation PNG 2026 Awards
The Innovation PNG Award for Corporate Innovation
Open to businesses with 10 employees or more
Sponsored by Vodafone
Young Innovator of the Year
Awarded to an individual under 30 years of age on 22 April 2026. A business or government agency may nominate them, or individuals may nominate themselves.
Sponsored by MoniPlus
Innovation is about solving problems with new ways of thinking.
As part of your entry, you will be asked to tell the judges about your innovation, why it was created, the results it has delivered so far, and its future potential. You will also have the opportunity to upload supporting materials.
Entries are now open. Submit your innovation and be recognised among Papua New Guinea’s leading innovators.
2025 Innovation Award for Small Business winner Boas Sengi presented by Kina Bank CEO Ivan Vidovich with Andrew and Mark Pesce. Credit: BAI
2026 Awards Shortlist
The creation of fuel and animal feed from waste, a student management system to help school teachers, and an export system for PNG coffee are just some of the bright ideas shortlisted for the 2026 Innovation PNG Awards.
The Innovation PNG Awards are designed to reward and encourage innovation – defined as creative problem-solving using new ideas – in PNG.
The actual award winners, selected from the shortlists below, will be announced at a special awards breakfast on 3 June at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby.
These are the three shortlists announced today:
The Innovation PNG Award for Small Business (sponsored by Kina Bank) shortlist
- Central Dakis Mamina Trading (Central Province)
- Gotronical Engineering (Jiwaka Province)
- Homes Purse Clean Energy (NCD)
- Pinpoint Consulting (NCD)
- Valana Poultry BSF Integrated Agro Farm (Central Province)
- Yaung Organics (Morobe Province)
The Innovation PNG Award for Corporate Innovation (sponsored by Vodafone PNG) shortlist
- Coffee Industry Corporation (Green Gold Card project)
- Coffee Industry Corporation (Coffee Export Management and Facilitation System)
- NCSL Savings and Loans
- NiuPay
- TISA Bank
The Innovation PNG Award for Young Innovator (sponsored by Moni Plus) shortlist
- Debbiealishia Kuamba, Areca Fluffy Pulp Project (Eastern Highlands Province)
- Anthony Tutmulai, e-Skul PNG (NCD)
“This is the fourth time the Innovation PNG Awards have been run and we had a record number of entries this year,” said Chair of the awards judging panel, Peter Williams, who is Chief Edge Officer at Deloitte’s Centre for the Edge in Australia. “Of these, around half were from small businesses, which shows that a lot of innovation is happening at grass roots level in PNG.”
“The quality of the entries was very high and the judges would like to congratulate all those who entered the awards. We look forward to announcing the winners on 3 June.”
The actual award winners, selected from the shortlists above, will be announced at a special awards breakfast on 3 June at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby. Peter Williams will be the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony on the topic: “Innovation for everyone: how anyone can be an innovator in PNG.”
Contact Us
For more information, or to stay informed, email: events@businessadvantageinternational.com
Co-hosts 2026
