Province

West Papua

Papua – West Papua

West Papua, previously known as West Irian Jaya, is a province of Indonesia located on Papua Island. The province has the Pacific Ocean lapping at its northern shores, and to its west lies the Southwest Papua province along with the Halmahera and Ceram Seas. Its southern border is the Banda Sea, while its eastern border is bounded by Central Papua province and Cendrawasih Bay.

Covering an area of 99,398 square kilometers, West Papua is home to 568,805 individuals and is divided into 13 districts. Manokwari, a coastal town in Mankowari regency, serves as both the administrative center and capital city of West Papua. Manokwari also thrives as West Papua’s center for business and economic activity. Moreover, the city is well known as the “Fruit City” of West Papua as it boasts a rich variety of fruits such as durian, rambutan, mango, avocado, and matoa.

West Papua presents a diverse landscape of religious beliefs, ethnicities, and languages. Almost half of the population adheres to Christianity at 53.32 percent, followed by the Muslim population at 38.12 percent, and Catholics at 8.40 percent, with other religions representing less than one percent. This rich tapestry extends to its people, with indigenous Papuans, encompassing ethnicities such as the Lokal, Arfak, Biak, and Yapen people, forming the majority of the population. Their traditions and languages contribute significantly to the cultural vibrancy of West Papua.

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Economic Description

West Papua boasts a vibrant economy. In 2023, the province’s economy generated a significant Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Rp 40.9 trillion. The economic landscape is driven by several sectors, with the processing industry contributing the largest at Rp 16.1 trillion, followed by the mining sector at Rp 9.3 trillion, and the construction sector at Rp 5 trillion.

Although the processing industry contributes the most to West Papua’s GRDP, the mining sector, as a leading sector in the region, holds substantial potential. The sector’s main commodities include oil, gas, and geothermal. Additionally, gold is also a leading commodity in the mining sector. West Papua's rich gold deposits offer immense potential for mining sector development, attracting investors with a keen eye for valuable resources.

Construction, while among the top three contributors to the province’s GRDP, is not the province’s leading sector. Other sectors such as fisheries and tourism are considered leading sectors in West Papua. The province’s wealth of marine resources offers ideal conditions for flourishing fish farming, with the fisheries sector contributing around Rp 1.4 trillion in GRDP. The sector’s main commodities include tuna, skipjack, and mackerel tuna.

Furthermore, the tourism industry in West Papua is experiencing steady growth, showcasing the province’s well-managed potential for sustainable tourism. Investment opportunities abound in initiatives such as the integrated tourism development in the Mount Botak area, which includes tourist facilities, café and restaurants, and the construction of public facilities. This development aims to establish Mount Botak as a prominent tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors within West Papua.

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Latest News

July 9, 2025

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the construction of a blue ammonia plant in Bintuni Bay Regency, West Papua Province, will begin in 2026. Blue ammonia, produced from natural gas (natgas), is produced to optimize carbon emission reductions, support the energy transition, address clean energy needs, and increase regional revenue.

"The investment value for blue ammonia is about US$1.2 billion, or more than Rp10 trillion," he said while attending the 22nd anniversary celebration of Bintuni Bay Regency, as quoted by Antara May 11, 2025.

Bahlil explained that the development of the downstream industry development project is the Indonesian government's response to the expectation of the people of Bintuni Bay, one of the largest natgas producing regions in Indonesia. He added that the central government will collaborate with the West Papua Provincial Government and the Bintuni Bay Regency Government to accommodate local entrepreneurs in the downstream project.

"The governor and the regent recommended professional and qualified local Papuan entrepreneurs. This is a major investment," Bahlil said.

He then promised to work towards increasing the oil and gas revenue sharing fund (DBH), as Bintuni Bay Regency contributes to national energy sovereignty. The ESDM Minister has also been communicating with Genting Group subsidiary Genting Oil Kasuri, which is investing in Bintuni Bay Regency, to ensure that the additional oil and gas DBH could be realized in 2027.

"Genting Oil will begin production in 2027, so the oil and gas DBH could be realized," he said.

Prior to the realization of additional oil and gas DBH, Bahlil noted, the regional governments involved must prepare regulations that serve as the legal basis for the 10 percent oil and gas participating interest policy.

"I guarantee that the PI for Bintuni and West Papua will be issued in 2026 if all the regulations are ready," he concluded.

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