UN DESA × Government of Solomon Islands

Digitalizing
Solomon Islands

From fragmented digitalization to whole-of-government transformation. A strategic workshop roadmap synthesized in Honiara.

Date
4-5 December 2025
Location
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Mandate
Policy 8.1.7 — Whole-of-Government
Outcome
Implementation roadmap
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Transformation,
Not Digitized Paperwork

The workshop drew a hard line between digitalization and digital transformation. Digitalization converts paper workflows into screens; transformation redesigns state operating models so services are faster, interoperable, and citizen-centered.

The Solomon Islands Government and UNDESA aligned on a Whole-of-Government trajectory: no more siloed ministry systems, no more fragmented data ownership, and no more duplicated identity paperwork for citizens.

Digital transformation is now a governance mandate, not a standalone ICT project.

Connectivity Defines
State Reach

Connectivity defines state reach across hundreds of islands. The SINBIP backbone is progressing, but service inclusion still depends on affordability, digital literacy, and resilient hybrid infrastructure.

161
Broadband towers planned nationally
58
Towers currently operational
82-85%
Target population coverage by late 2025
67.2%
Mobile penetration rate
42%
Internet users (~358,000 citizens)
10
Provincial telecentre nodes
Current Challenges Strategic Opportunities
Challenge Fragmented data silos: 200+ isolated systems with weak interoperability.
Opportunity SINBIP catalyst: infrastructure rollout enabling joined-up digital services.
Challenge Human capital constraints: limited ICT capacity across 22,000+ public servants.
Opportunity Leapfrogging: cloud-native and AI-first systems without legacy debt.
Challenge Legislative gaps: privacy, AI, cybercrime, and e-transactions not fully anchored.
Opportunity UNDESA framework: rigorous baselining for the 2026 EGDI cycle.
Challenge High service delivery costs: provincial circuits and manual processing remain expensive.
Opportunity Remote delivery: telecentres, digital justice, and remote sector workflows.

Operational Pain Points First

Sectoral transformation must target operational pain points first. The matrix below merges both synthesis papers into one implementation lens.

Finance / ERU
Bottleneck Manual macro-data dissemination and weak public reporting visibility.
Intervention Central economic portal and live macro dashboard.
Impact Transparency, forecasting quality, and trust in fiscal governance.
Health
Bottleneck Paper transfer from rural clinics; fragmented facility-level records.
Intervention DHIS2 modernization + Master Patient Index + focused indicator set.
Impact Real-time public health visibility and better patient outcomes.
Justice / Judiciary
Bottleneck Physical circuits costing 70k-80k per trip with paper-heavy case flows.
Intervention Remote hearings + digital JIMS + smart evidence workflows.
Impact Cost reduction, faster case disposal, and rural justice inclusion.
Police / Maritime
Bottleneck Manual testing and incomplete EEZ/UXO digital tracking.
Intervention Satellite mapping + CPLT integration + IMSMA Core UXO data.
Impact Stronger national security and safer operational planning.
Foreign Affairs
Bottleneck Paper-based labor mobility and diaspora processes.
Intervention Online visa/passport services + diaspora registry + e-procurement.
Impact Global integration and improved mobility governance.

Frameworks for Action

National E-Government Toolkit

  • Benchmark Solomon Islands against regional peers through the data portal.
  • Audit institutional and legal readiness for national data administration.
  • Measure whether services are transactional, not only informational.
  • Assess e-participation quality for real public consultation.

Local Government Toolkit (LOSI)

  • Deploy in Auki, Gizo, and Lata to prevent urban-only digital growth.
  • Use "digital twin" planning for infrastructure and disaster response simulations.
  • Align provincial service design with local delivery realities and risks.

Quick Wins Identified in Workshop

  • Telecentre expansion as practical last-mile access hubs.
  • Remote justice sessions to replace expensive physical circuits.
  • AI-assisted administrative workflows to reduce manual overhead.
  • Targeted literacy and role-based digital skills in all provinces.

Data Is the Ingredient

Compute is the fire, algorithms are the recipe, but data is the ingredient. Without clean, governed, shared data, AI cannot produce public value.

Three-Tier Data Classification

  • White (Open): public datasets for transparency and innovation.
  • Grey (Conditional): ministry-to-ministry exchange under clear MOUs.
  • Black (Confidential): high-security and personal data with strict controls.

Shanghai-Informed Operating Model

Internal sharing to dismantle ministerial territorialism, plus open data to enable citizen and private-sector services.

Example: transport, parking, and service location datasets can seed local app ecosystems.

Legislative Fast-Track

  • Electronic Government Act
  • Data Privacy / Data Protection framework
  • Cybercrime Bill
  • AI governance policy

AI-Ready Principle

Compute is the fire, algorithms are the recipe, but data is the ingredient. Without clean, governed, shared data, AI cannot produce public value.

Coordination Architecture

National Coordination Architecture

  • National Digital Transformation Board as apex authority.
  • MCA as national technical standards lead (CIO function).
  • Permanent Secretaries accountable for delivery benchmarks.

Human-Centered Change Logic

  • Reward service outcomes, not paper compliance.
  • Enable practical innovation cycles: prove value early.
  • Link transformation incentives to real family and community impact.

Three Phases to
National Transformation

The two synthesis papers converge on a three-phase implementation path that is practical, low-legacy, and inclusion-driven.

0-12 Months

Foundation

  • Stand up national data and transformation governance.
  • Complete UNDESA national and LOSI baseline assessments.
  • Prioritize legal anchors for e-government and cyber trust.
1-3 Years

Integration

  • Launch national data exchange to reduce silo duplication.
  • Operationalize MPI and digital justice service pathways.
  • Scale province-level digital literacy and role-based training.
3+ Years

Transformation

  • Adopt AI-driven policy analytics and disaster forecasting.
  • Transition to cloud-native architecture and efficient data centers.
  • Institutionalize Once-Only service delivery nationally.
Executive call: inaction means expensive isolation from the digital economy. Coordinated implementation is now the national priority.
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Downloads

Workshop documentation and reference materials.

Built with Codex and manually edited by the workshop team. This page is intentionally lightweight for weak internet conditions in distributed island contexts: static HTML/CSS, no JavaScript dependency, compressed photos, and mobile-first layout.