In his first three months in Office since being sworn in as Prime Minister of Samoa in September 2025, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has hit the ground running with bold initiatives aimed at strengthening public health, combating illicit drugs, addressing violence against women and children, expanding access to finance for businesses, upgrading medical equipment and infrastructure, and deepening engagement with church ministers, educators, health professionals and sector leaders.
His leadership in these first 90 days has seen an accelerated pace to decisions and actions, reflecting a government ready to confront long-standing challenges and lay the foundation for a new era of national progress.
Swearing-In and the Call for Unity
The Laaulialemalietoa-led FAST Party government was sworn in on 16 September 2025, following a general election that reaffirmed its parliamentary majority and mandate for change. The swearing-in ceremony for the 18th Parliament of Samoa was the most inclusive one ever held in Samoa’s history, with thousands of community supporters in attendance.
In his live address to the nation after election resuts were inevitable, Laaulialemalietoa acknowledged the leaders of all political parties, including HRPP leader Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, the Samoa Uniting Party party leader and former Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, as well as the Independent MPs.
“Omaia tatou tutu faatasi e tau’ave Samoa mo le lumana’i.”
The FAST party Chair and Leader thanked the people of Samoa for the support shown and said the time of conflict and uncertainty was over as he called on all elected MPs to work together.
“Ua uma le taimi o le fefulitua’i ma fe’ese’eseaiga ma tatou upu lafo..”
Declaring War on Drugs
One of the most urgent priorities in the early days of the new government has been an intensified campaign against illicit drug trafficking and use. The pandemic of drug use is affecting communities across the nation including Samoa’s youth.
With border controls tightening, millions of tala worth of meth hidden in goods from American Samoa has been confiscated by Customs and it is now well established that Samoa has become “a market on its own” for illegal drugs including meth, and not just a transit point.
The Prime Minister vowed to lead the war against illicit drugs with its prevalence marked by meth now infiltrating schools, with school teachers amongst those arrested during recent police raids.
“This is a sensitive issue to government because innocent young lives are at stake,” said Laaulialemalietoa. “Drugs are being found in test tubes in schools!”
The Prime Minister has called for a whole-of-nation holistic approach to combating the spread of drugs in Samoa.
“The growing drug incidents in Samoa should be a national concern,” said the Prime Minister who has urged church ministers to preach from the pulpit on the impacts of drugs, and for vlllage councils to lead efforts in communities, and to every mother, father, and citizen to get involved in the fight to eliminate illicit drugs from Samoa’s shores.
The Prime Minister says Police will not retreat from its current move to find those who are dealing with illicit drugs. “It is blood money. They are making money out of the lives of our people, even children.”
The leader of the country has committed to implement his call for mandatory drug testing for all of government including public servants, police, teachers, doctors, and says he will start with his Cabinet and Members of Parliament.
More Doctors and Equipment for Samoa’s Improved Health Care
Improving Samoa’s health sector has been another early focus of Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa’s administration. While systemic health challenges long pre-dated his tenure, recent progress underscores renewed political will.
Equipment that have been unavailable for years such as CT-scans are now available and new equipment has been announced with a sustainable approach of bringing technicians to operate these, and train locals on how to use, maintain and repair for the future.
“All the treatments and tests that we have to travel overseas for, should be made available here in Samoa,” he declared.
In his Christmas eve press conference, the Prime Minister of Samoa announced support to health workers by bringing doctors from New Zealand, to address the long standing shortage within Samoa’s health sector not only at Motootua National Hospital, but in District Hospitals.
Access to Finance for MSMEs – Micro Small Medium Enterprises
Micro and small business owners in Samoa’s non-formal business sector will have access to finance through funds given to the Develoment Bank of Samoa, the Samoa Housing Corporation and the Samoa Business Hub for distribution.
The Prime Minister announced millions being made available at varying levels of support that reflects an inclusive approach. $3 million has been given to the Samoa Business Hub for low interest rate loans to be made accessible to micro enterprises for financing between $1,000 and $10,000.
While the Development Bank of Samoa has been given $13 million so small-sized businesses can loan between $30,000 – $50,000 with another level-up of $100,000 – $250,000 to be available to medium-sized businesses. The Samoa Housing Corporation has also been injected funds for communities and families to finance the building, renovation or purchase of homes.
Finance costs for MSMEs will see loans with interest rates between 3% – 7% marking a serious stance to grow grassroot businesses and the informal sectors of Agriculture and Fisheries through access to affordable finance.
Meeetings with Public, Private and Community Leaders
A notable hallmark of the Prime Minister’s first 90 days has been direct engagement with Samoa’s leaders from all sectors of the community. From Teachers and School Administrators to Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals, Directors of State Owned Enterprises, the Private Sector, Civil Society and Sporting body representatives, Laaulialemalietoa has emphasised listening to the challenges faced by those at the frontline of Samoa’s development sectors.
Calling on Clergy to Lauga on Long-Standing Social Issues
Samoa has faced long-standing social issues such as the pandemic of violence against women and girls, and sexual assault towards Samoa’s children.
Samoa’s National Inquiry into Family Violence (2017 NHRI) found 3/5 women faced intimate partner violence, 9/10 subjected to physical or emotional abuse and 10% reported having been raped by a family member during their lifetime. The Courts in Samoa are congested with cases of rape and sexual assault against young girls every week, yet, leaders have never taken up the issue or spoken out against sexual violence against children.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa is the first national leader to call for Church Ministers to address the pandemic within their communities, by addressing it head-on from the pulpit.
“Ua tatau ona laugaina le tafi ese o amioga mataga o loo aafia ai pea tina ma fanau..”
Weekly Press Conferences
The Prime Minister holds weekly press conferences with the local media which are publicised live on social media pages for all to access a summary of Cabinet Directives as well as upcoming events. The Q&A that follows the Prime Minister’s prepared statements are an open and frank dialogue where local media present can put any question to the Prime Minister. The press conferences have been regular with the last one being as late as 6.30pm on Christmas eve.
Charting a Way Forward
In the earliest months of his leadership, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt has tackled complex and deeply rooted issues with a mix of decisive action and broad engagement. Whether confronting illicit drug trafficking with a nationwide campaign backed by regional partnerships, supporting health sector improvements, engaging with teachers on how to support education, expanding financial inclusion for businesses, or fostering multi-sector dialogue to shape policy direction, the Prime Minister’s approach has been comprehensive and forward-looking.
As Samoa moves into 2026, his administration’s first 90 days has been marked by urgency and inclusivity — with responsive leadership aimed at building social stability, economic opportunity and national resilience.
In recognition of these efforts, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa is SGNs Person of the Year – with a renewed direction to address long-standing challenges and issues in all sectors of Samoa’s development.
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