Monise Laafai

Who is Monise Laafai?

Monise Laafai is a Tuvaluan politician and businessman.

He stood for Parliament for the first time at the 2010 general election, and was elected MP for the constituency of Nanumaga. He supported Maatia Toafa's successful bid for the premiership, and was subsequently appointed to Cabinet, as Minister of Finance. He lost office just three months later, when Toafa's government was brought down by a motion of no confidence.

Laafai is also General Manager of the Tuvalu Co-operative Society, a position he has held since the late 1990s. He was also chef de mission of the Tuvaluan delegation to the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.

On 5 August Monise Laafai was appointed Minister for Communications and Transport in the government following Enele Sopoaga becoming prime minister.