Prime Minister of Samoa

Fiamē Naomi Māta’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa

Fiamē Naomi Māta’afa is a Samoan politician serving as Prime Minister of Samoa since 2021, making her the first woman to hold that office. Born on November 29, 1957, in Apia, Samoa, she comes from one of Samoa’s most distinguished political families — her father, Fiamē Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II, was independent Samoa’s first Prime Minister.

Fiamē was educated in Samoa, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, studying law and political science. She entered parliament in 1985 and served continuously for decades, making her one of the longest-serving parliamentarians in Samoan history. She served as Deputy Prime Minister under multiple administrations and held numerous ministerial portfolios.

In 2021, after a disputed election result, Fiamē formed a new party, Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST), and challenged the long-ruling Human Rights Protection Party. Following a constitutional crisis and Supreme Court ruling, she was sworn in as Prime Minister in July 2021.

As Prime Minister, she has prioritized gender equality, climate change response (Samoa is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels), and strengthening democratic institutions. Her election was celebrated across the Pacific as a landmark for women’s political representation.

Fiamē holds the chiefly title Fiamē Naomi, which adds cultural authority to her political role in Samoa’s fa’amatai (chiefly) system. She has been recognized internationally as a trailblazing leader in Pacific Island governance.

Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa

Birthdate: 14 Apr 1945 Birthplace: Lepa, Samoa
Religion: Roman Catholic
Education:
Marist Brothers School (Apia, 1950-1959)
St. Josephs College (Lotopa, Samoa 1960-1963)
St. Pauls College (Auckland, New Zealand 1964)

Auckland University 1965-1969Professional Qualifications:
Bachelor of Commerce, Auckland University (NZ, 1968)
Master of Commerce, Auckland University (NZ, 1969)
C.P.A (Samoan)
Partner in Coopers & Lybrands, Samoa, (1981-1982)
Career:
April 2001 to present
Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Police
Minister of Telecommunications
November 1998 to March 2001
Prime Minister
Minister of Finance
Minister of Police
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister for Legislative
Minister of Telecommunications
1996-1998 In Tofilau Eti Alesana’s Fifth Administration
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Finance
Minister of Tourism
Minister of Trade Commerce & Industry
1991-1995 In Tofilau Eti Alesana’s fourth Administration
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Finance
Minister of Tourism
Minister of Trade Commerce & Industry
1988-1990 In Tofilau Eti Alesana’s third Administration
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Finance
Minister of Tourism
Minister of Trade Commerce & Industry
April 1985 to December 1985 In Tofilau Eti Alesana’s 2nd Administration
Minister of Finance
Minister of Economic Affairs
April 1985 to December 1985 In Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana’s first
Administration Minister of Economic Affairs
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation
Associate Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (in 1984 in Cabinet reshuffling)
May 1981 Member of Parliament representing Lepa District (after bi-election)
1981 January – April Deputy Financial Secretary, Treasury, Apia
1978-1980 Expert Intra-ACP Trade, Transport & Communications – ACP General Secretariat, Brussels Belgium
1973-1978 Deputy Financial Secretary, Treasury, Apia
1971-1973 Deputy Director, Economic Department, Apia
1970 Investigation Officer, Treasury Dept, Apia
Other Important Appointments:
1988 Chairman of Asian Development Banks Board of Governors
August 1990 Co-President of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers
February 1992 Re-elected to the Office of the Co-President of
ACP-EU Council of Ministers
Chairman from 1988 of the Pacific Branch of the ACP Group until 2000
Chairman of the National Disaster Council
Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union
Chairman of the Samoa Softball Federation

Patron:
Australian/Samoa Rules Rugby Football
Samoa Soccer Federation
Samoa Cricket Association
Samoa Bowling Club
Samoa Tennis Association Faleata Golf Club
Samoa Royal Country Golf Club (Vice President)
Hobbies
Music
Reading
Fishing
Agriculture – Farming
Tennis
Rugby
Golf
Cricket
Soccer