Province

Highland Papua

Overview Economy

Papua – Highland Papua

Highland Papua is one of Indonesia’s most recent provinces, formed on June 30, 2022, under Law No. 16/2022, resulting from the partition of Papua province. Situated in the eastern section of the Jayawijaya Mountains, the country’s tallest mountain range, the province is bordered by Mamberamo Raya, Sarmi, Jayapura, and Keerom regencies to the north and Papua New Guinea to the east. To the south, it is bordered by Boven Digoel and Asmat regencies, while to the west, it shares borders with Puncak Jaya, Puncak, and Mimika regencies.

Boasting a land area of 108,476 square kilometers with a population of 1.4 million people, Highland Papua’s provincial capital is Wamena City, with its administrative hub located within Jayawijaya regency. The province comprises eight regencies: Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Central Mamberamo, Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang, Tolikara, Yalimo, and Yahukimo.

Out of its population, followers of various faiths are represented, with the majority identifying as Christians (90.29 percent), followed by Catholics (7.61 percent), Muslims (1.92 percent), followers of indigenous beliefs (0.15 percent), and followers of other religions (0.03 percent).

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Economic

In 2023, Highland Papua's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) stood at Rp 13.3 trillion, with no dominant sector emerging due to its status as a nascent province. In the previous year, the province’s economic growth was noted at 3.05 percent.

Amidst this economic landscape, Highland Papua's commodities play a pivotal role in shaping its emerging market dynamics. Coffee from Wamena serves as the flagship commodity of Highland Papua, complemented by a diverse range of agricultural products including sweet potato, red fruit, onion, agarwood, rubber, pineapple, and orange.

Particularly in the province’s regency of Jayawijaya, the potential for coffee cultivation is notably high, with coffee being their primary commodity. Around 120 tonnes of coffee are produced in this region. However, despite this high production, several districts within Highland Papua are facing grievances from coffee farmers regarding their inability to enhance the quality of their Arabica coffee yields.

Additionally, since the province is quite new, the Highland Papua provincial government is actively fostering the creative economy of Indigenous Papuans (OAP) by utilizing special autonomy funds. This strategic initiative aims to empower local economic actors, enabling them to compete effectively alongside other business entities. Through sustained support and investment, Highland Papua seeks to nurture indigenous entrepreneurship and bolster economic diversity, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and inclusive growth in the province.

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Latest News

March 21, 2025

Highland Papua Province Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team (TP-PKK) Head Herwin Wanggai officially opened a painting exhibition about noken and coffee by Nanci Imelda Nahuway at Warkop An Meke, Gang Nirwana Wamena Road in Wamena District, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua on Mar. 1, 2025.

Herwin said that noken has an important value for Papuan culture. Noken is also one of the cultural heritages that has been registered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"We don't make much, but we have promoted noken and coffee at several important events in Jakarta, in the context of Inacraft (Jakarta International Handicraft and Trade Fair) 2025 which was directly visited by the vice president," she stated on Mar. 1, 2025.

Herwin added she had promoted noken in several places, including during the inauguration of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta.

"We were appointed to hold a noken and coffee exhibition there. The legislators considered that we have a unique culture, and noken could also be used to attract attention [for economic and investment purposes]," she explained.

Wanggai also plans to write a book about noken and coffee.

"That is my hope after the end of our term of office, so please support me," she said.

Acting Highland Papua Governor Velix Wanggai, who was present at the exhibition, said that he managed to go to Jakarta during his elementary school days because of painting.

"So, painting is an art that we [must] continue to maintain," he said.

Velix added that the Highland Papua people should be grateful because God has bestowed Papua's rich and beautiful nature of for them.

Meanwhile, Nanci said that her painting of noken and coffee was inspired by a Papuan women from the Yali tribe, namely Mama Helena, who faithfully knits noken.

"Coffee is also popular here [in , so we include it in my paintings," she said.

She explained that the painting process took time to get good results.

"I had to glue them one by one. Yes, it took quite a long time, but I finished it in one month because Mama Governor [Ribka Haluk] was also about to end her term of office," she said.

Nanci Nahuway thanked Ribka, Velix, and 1702/Jayawijaya Military District Commander Lt. Col. Arh Reza Ch. A. Mamoribo for seeing the painting firsthand and supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

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