Samoa is a small island developing state with a GDP of approximately USD 850 million and a population of 205,557. The economy depends heavily on remittances, tourism, agriculture, and foreign aid, with the tertiary sector now accounting for over 80 per cent of GDP. The formal private sector is dominated by micro and small enterprises, and foreign investment plays an important role in infrastructure development and economic growth. However, Samoa’s small size, limited institutional capacity, geographic isolation, and dependence on external financing create structural vulnerabilities that are amplified by intensifying strategic competition among major powers in the Pacific region.
The assessment examines Samoa’s legal and regulatory environment for foreign investment through the lens of investment security, combining a comprehensive desk review of legislation, policy documents, reform recommendations, and regional comparators with semi-structured stakeholder interviews across government agencies and the private sector. The analysis applies the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)’s typology of investment screening practices and examines four categories of governance gaps (policy, implementation, contracting, and public interest) through which corrosive capital typically operates.
Published Date: April 13, 2026