Solomon Islands’ New Digital Payment System to Increase Access to Banking, Support Economy

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Honiara, Solomon Islands, April 8, 2024 – Solomon Islands will benefit from a new digital payment platform launched today, which will make banking easier, contribute to the digitalization of the economy, and help drive inclusive sustainable economic development.

Launched and overseen by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), the Solomons Automated Transfer System (SOLATS) is a real time gross settlement payment system that will secure transactions, protecting customers and businesses from fraud. It will also simplify transactions for purchasing goods or sending money and will make payment options easier, including electronic and mobile.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, provided technical expertise to the CBSI to develop and launch the digital payment platform with funding from the governments of Australia and New Zealand and support from the World Bank. This follows similar projects with central banks in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu to facilitate responsible and inclusive digital financial services in the Pacific.

"This new platform revolutionizes payments in Solomon Islands. Individuals, businesses, and government will benefit from secure, efficient, and convenient transactions," said Dr Luke Forau, Governor, CBSI. "SOLATS is a big step towards a more digital economy for Solomon Islands, and it will create the conditions for banks and other financial institutions to offer new services."

Digital payment systems are important to help drive economic development and bring more people into the formal financial system. According to a survey conducted in 2015, more than 30 percent of adult Solomon Islanders do not have a bank account and lack access to banking services, which means most people rely on cash.

The new platform replaces manual transfers between banks that relied on cheques and caused delays in clearing funds, slowing commerce and economic activity. Over time, SOLATS is expected to help reduce people's reliance on cheques and cash in Solomon Islands.

"This digital payment platform will help boost financial inclusion and economic activity in Solomon Islands, and will help create the conditions for resilient, broad-based economic growth," said Judith Green, IFC Country Manager for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. "Secure and efficient payment systems, along with robust capital markets, are crucial to help reduce poverty and boost people's prosperity. IFC is working with central banks and other partners across the Pacific to help create this transformative change."

"Australia is a strong supporter of the Solomon Islands Government's efforts to ensure more citizens have access to financial services, supporting economic stability and growth," said Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton. "Congratulations to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands on the introduction of this important new system which will make it possible for more everyday cash transactions to be electronic, and faster and safer for more people to access financial services."

New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jonathan Schwass said, "Aotearoa New Zealand is proud to support this crucial initiative and others like it across the Pacific. These new platforms are a key step forward for Solomon Islands' economy. They will enable people and businesses to benefit from a modern, resilient financial system, which will contribute to the growth of new financial services, support the nation's capital markets, and help make everyday life easier."

CBSI will also shortly launch a Central Securities Depository, a financial market platform based on an electronic registry holding all government and central bank securities. The Central Securities Depository will be linked to SOLATS in real time, ensuring the safekeeping and accurate recording of securities transactions, increasing efficiency in securities trading, and supporting the development of Solomon Islands' capital markets.

About CBSI
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) is the premier financial institution in the country and is at the center of the banking and financial system, performing a number of essential functions, including the formulation and implementation of the country's monetary policies. CBSI is the only authority that exercises discretionary control over the Country's entire monetary system.

About IFC 
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

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