Mr. Andrew Kausiama became Chairman of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu Board of Directors in 2020, previously serving as Governor of RBV from 1998 to 2003. He held various positions within the Vanuatu government, including First Political Advisor and First Political Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, and First Secretary roles in the Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Finance. Earlier in his career, he served as a Planning and Development Officer at the University of the South Pacific's Laucala Campus.

Mr. Kausiama's extensive board experience includes chairing the RBV Board of Directors, serving on the boards of Air Vanuatu and Vanuatu Terminal Services, chairing the National Housing Corporation Board, and acting as Vice Chairman of the Censorship Board. He also held research positions at the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, including Research Officer, Senior Research Officer, Principal Research Officer, and Acting Director of Research.

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and political history from the University of the South Pacific and a master's degree in commerce with a focus on Economics from the University of Wollongong, Australia.

Governor of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu

Mr. August Letlet has been appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu. Prior to this role, he served as the Director General under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. In this capacity, he was responsible for financial and economic policy development and implementation, engaging in rigorous policy analysis, and formulating policy recommendations for government officials. His leadership involved preparing the national budget, allocating resources, and managing public finances, demonstrating his effective leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.

Governor Letlet brings extensive experience and expertise in public finance, economics, financial management, policy analysis, international economics and finance, statistical analysis, legal and regulatory frameworks, and a deep understanding of financial principles. His proven leadership in the government financial sector and the banking community, as well as his strategic planning abilities, have enabled him to drive targeted economic policies and investment strategies both domestically and internationally.

Mr. Letlet's financial dexterity in managing public funds and making informed decisions will be crucial as the Reserve Bank pursues its established mandates and strategic priorities in the coming years. His competent understanding of key sectoral knowledge in the economy will undoubtedly contribute to the Bank's mission of fostering economic stability and growth.

Nik Soni is a Team Lead and senior public financial management adviser with more than 25 years’ experience working on economic and governance reform. He currently leads the EU’s EDF11 Agriculture Value Chain budget support programme in Vanuatu. Previously, he served as Interim Director-General of the Ministry of Finance in Timor-Leste and as a long-term adviser to Prime Ministers and Ministers of Finance in a wide range of countries. His other roles include as Director for Economic Governance and Inclusive Growth at the PNG–Australia Governance Facility and the Team Lead for the UK FCDO post Ebola financial support to Sierra Leone. In Vanuatu he is well known as the former Team Lead of the Ministry of Finance Institutional Strengthening Programme during the period of the Comprehensive Reform Programme and as Chair of the Pacific Institute of Public Policy.

Over many years he has supported key public financial management and governance reforms in Vanuatu; strengthening the credibility of the budget, improving how public funds are controlled and reported, sharpening accountability across ministries and SOEs, and embedding more transparent, rules-based decision-making. This mix of in-line leadership and reform delivery equip him to bring practical, risk-aware advice to RBV Board discussions on policy coordination, payments and systems, and institutional governance.

4. Dr. Gregoire Nimbtik

Dr. Nimbtik is a distinguished governance expert and senior public-sector leader with a PhD in Political Governance. He brings a wealth of experience in institutional reform, policy development, strategic planning, and international relations, which he now leverages as a member of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu.

Having previously served as Deputy Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Nimbtik has demonstrated exceptional leadership in high-level governance, regional diplomacy, and strategic policymaking. His extensive experience in these roles has provided him with a deep understanding of financial systems, regulatory frameworks, and economic governance in Vanuatu and the wider Pacific region.

In addition to his governance expertise, he has collaborated with key bilateral donors such as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and NZAID, as well as multilateral institutions including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This work has strengthened his insight into financial stability, development financing, and intergovernmental relations—skills that are highly pertinent to his responsibilities on the Reserve Bank’s board.

Dr. Nimbtik also led national efforts to enhance financial integrity, including serving as Chair of Vanuatu’s AML/CFT Coordination Committee, where he oversaw reforms that resulted in the country’s removal from the EU’s grey list. His strategic leadership in aligning domestic policies with international standards highlights his capability in promoting sound financial practices and regulatory resilience.

His academic research, focusing on political governance, corruption, and the intersection of traditional kastom authority with the modern state, provides additional depth to his understanding of governance challenges and opportunities in Vanuatu.

As a Board Director, he champions strong governance, prudent financial oversight, and policies that foster economic stability and sustainable development in Vanuatu. His expertise ensures that the Reserve Bank continues to uphold its mandate of maintaining monetary stability, fostering financial inclusion, and supporting the country’s economic resilience in a rapidly evolving regional and global landscape.