Yafeth Steven Wetipo

In Papua, one of Indonesia’s most resource-rich yet economically marginalized provinces, opportunity has long felt out of reach for many young people. Despite vast natural wealth, ethnic Papuans have faced persistent barriers to education, employment, and access to capital, resulting in high youth unemployment and an economy dominated by small-scale, informal trade.

In recent years, a growing number of young Papuans have begun reshaping that reality through entrepreneurial ventures rooted in local culture, skills, and unmet demand.

One such entrepreneur is Yafeth Steven Wetipo. After identifying an opportunity to source and serve high-quality local coffee, Yafeth opened a coffee shop that quickly became a gathering place in Jayapura. His business reduced reliance on imported products while creating jobs and serving as a training ground for aspiring local baristas—expanding pathways into the region’s emerging coffee sector.

Patricia Ormuseray followed a different path, establishing two fashion and accessories shops in downtown Jayapura. Her businesses employ ethnic Papuans and celebrate local identity, transforming creative expression into economic participation and stable livelihoods.

Another participant, Paideia Gratia (Grace) Sumihe, extended her impact beyond business ownership. Exposure to global networks through international leadership opportunities strengthened her commitment to community development, leading her to mentor and support new cohorts of young entrepreneurs in Papua.

Together, these stories reflect a broader shift. When young people gain the skills and confidence to build enterprises grounded in their own communities, economic opportunity becomes visible, attainable, and sustainable, strengthening local economies and redefining what prosperity looks like in Papua.