The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) and Business Advantage International recently hosted the “Women in Tech Business Breakfast,” part of the lead-up to Innovation PNG 2025.
The event showcased a distinguished panel of women excelling in the fields of finance, software development, aviation, and digital transformation.
The event at the Lamana Hotel on February 27 recognised the achievements of women leading Papua New Guinea’s technology-driven sectors.
A highlight was the announcement of the shortlist for the 2025 Innovation PNG Awards, celebrating groundbreaking technological advancements in the country.
However, the real focus of the morning event was on the women driving innovation and their contributions to the country’s digital future.
The panel featured:
- Keren Mahabi – Manager Strategic Intelligence, Kina Bank
- Crystal Kewe – Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Crysan Technology
- Priscilla Kevin – ICT ERP Consultant & President, PNG ICT Cluster
- Lindah Eremas – Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Air Niugini
Each panelist shared insights into their projects and the challenges and opportunities shaping their industries.
Pioneering Projects Driving Change
- Artificial Intelligence in Finance -- Keren Mahabi from Kina Bank highlighted how AI is transforming regulatory compliance, competition, and risk management in the financial sector. Her role involves tracking economic, social, and technological trends to provide strategic insights. She emphasized AI’s dual impact—creating new opportunities while introducing challenges that require proactive planning.
- Digital Health and Financial Inclusion -- Crystal Kewe discussed two major projects her company, Crysan Technology, is completing:
- A DFAT-funded Laboratory Information Management System for PNG’s Central Public Health Laboratory, streamlining testing for malaria, TB, HIV, and COVID-19. This project could lay the foundation for a nationwide public health information system.
- A personal finance app developed with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), designed to help over 300,000 graduates build financial literacy and a savings culture in PNG. Kewe also mentioned an upcoming digital transformation initiative in collaboration with the Department of Community Development, aligning with PNG’s national digital strateg
- Empowering Women and Protecting Innovation -- Priscilla Kevin of the PNG ICT Cluster emphasized the need for intellectual property protection for PNG innovators. She detailed efforts to establish technology transfer centers to support local inventions and prevent foreign entities from capitalizing on PNG’s ideas.
She also highlighted the digital literacy gap among women and youth, citing a 2022 initiative that trained 900 women entrepreneurs in ICT skills. Many participants lacked fundamental IDs, creating barriers to accessing digital services.
Additionally, the National ICT Incubation Program, a partnership with the Department of ICT, aims to fund local tech startups, ensuring PNG nurtures homegrown solutions instead of relying on mports.
- Aviation and STEM Careers -- Lindah Eremas, a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Air Niugini, spoke about the rigorous training and high-pressure environment of aviation engineering. She leads a 14-person team in line maintenance, ensuring aircraft safety for hundreds of passengers daily.
She encouraged more young Papua New Guineans, especially women, to pursue careers in STEM, emphasizing the constant learning required in aviation as new aircraft and technologies emerge.
When asked what excites them about their industries, panelists pointed to AI, problem-solving, digital inclusion, and local innovation. Mahabi sees AI as a disruptive force, requiring creativity and courage to navigate uncertainty.
Kewe emphasized AI’s role in equalizing opportunities in software development, urging professionals to learn prompt engineering to work effectively with AI tools.
Kevin highlighted the potential of technology to improve government services and reduce costs for rural communities.
Eremas spoke about the sense of responsibility she feels ensuring aircraft are safe, recognizing the importance of air travel in a country with limited road connectivity.
The event reinforced a shared commitment to empowering women and youth in technology. From mentorship to education and digital inclusion, these female leaders are paving the way for a stronger, more innovative PNG. The event served as a powerful reminder of the vital role women play in shaping the country’s technological and economic future.
Innovation PNG Awards Shortlist Announced
Towards the end of the meeting, the shortlist for the Innovation PNG Awards 2025 was announced.
PNG’s brightest minds in business and government were recognized, with the finalists selected for their groundbreaking solutions across various sectors, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
The awards, now in their third year, celebrate creative problem-solving through new ideas and technology.
Among this year’s innovations are Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for financial services, a new water system design for villages, climate-resilient engineering solutions, and a new machine for processing sago.
Winners will be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner on March 27 at The Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, with the awards being held alongside the Innovation PNG 2025 conference on 28 March.
The Innovation PNG Awards are divided into three categories:
1. Small Business Award (Sponsored by Kina Bank)
- Bright Horizon Solutions – Developed an app for creating ID cards, successfully trialed during the Pope’s visit to PNG.
- Bobatom Tech and Consultancy – Created an online learning platform for Flexible Open and Distance Education.
- Project Support Services / Productive Solar Solutions – Invented solar-powered mills for smallholder farmers, with export potential.
- Environmental Health Development Agency – Designed a unique water station to assist village life.
- Gotronical – Engineered a new sago extraction machine.
- Apeketon Business Hub – Supports SMEs on Lihir Island in collaboration with Australian Business Volunteers.
2. Large Business Award (Sponsored by Remington Group)
- Markham Culverts – Developed Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs) as a sustainable alternative to concrete.
- Kramer Asia-Pacific (PNG) Ltd – Integrating climate-resilient engineering solutions.
- Nasfund – Using AI to improve back-office efficiencies.
- CreditBank PNG – Implemented a tech-driven customer onboarding system.
- TISA Bank – Introduced an instant account-opening solution for walk-in customers.
- MiBank – Created a new agency model for financial services outreach.
3. Digital Government Award (Sponsored by Nasfund)
- Green Finance Centre – Established under the Bank of PNG to facilitate green financing.
- Department of ICT – Developed an online police clearance system with biometric integration.
In a media release, Mark Pesce, Chair of the awards judging panel, emphasised the impressive diversity of entries this year.
"The range of innovations was nothing short of breathtaking. Over half of the entries came from small businesses, proving that innovation is thriving at the grassroots level in PNG," said Pesce.
