The Solomon Islands is quietly embracing a new way to handle money. In 2025, the country is making strides in using digital currency. This shift is especially important for a nation spread across many islands, where banks can be difficult to reach and cash is not always easy to get.
What Is Bokolo Cash?
One of the most talked-about projects is called Bokolo Cash. It is an electronic equivalent of the Solomon Islands dollar, printed by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.
“Bokolo” is a name that brings in the history of the country, the term for pre-European shell money Solomon Islanders used to break notes. Coming up with a name based on this term makes people feel like it’s part of their heritage, even though it’s new technology.
Growing Usage Across the Islands
Bokolo Cash started on a pilot basis in Honiara, the capital city. The initiative has since expanded to reach additional communities and traders. The Central Bank wants digital money to work for everyone, not just city dwellers.
In addition to Bokolo Cash, the Solomon Islands also implemented a system called SOLATS (Solomon Islands Automated Transfer System). The payment system allows banks to instantly transfer funds between one another. Bokolo Cash and SOLATS are joining forces to facilitate the easier ability of businesses to make transactions and for individuals to make regular payments without using cash.
Challenges to Overcome
Despite its potential, electronic money falters in the Solomon Islands. Drawbacks such as internet availability are still patchy in some rural communities, making it unreliable to have access to a connection or electricity.
As digital payments become more widespread, many users, especially new ones, remain cautious or uncertain about how to use them safely. To address this challenge, companies have amplified their initiatives to inform consumers and banking experts alike with awareness campaigns that target the correct use of electronic money. With these products growing in number, the need for clear, robust rules will become ever more crucial—both to stem fraud and also to create and protect public trust.
What’s Next for Digital Money in the Solomon Islands?
The roll-out of projects like Bokolo Cash and SOLATS is an early but noteworthy step towards improving the way citizens of the Solomon Islands handle money.
Communities in the Solomon Islands are gaining greater control over their financial futures as digital technology becomes more accessible, creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and economic resilience. Other island nations facing similar challenges can draw valuable lessons from the experience of the Solomon Islands. The intersection of local context, technology, and trust allows digital money to have the power to deliver lasting value far beyond the financial system.
This is not just a shift in the movement of money—it’s a modest but real step toward more inclusion, choice, and control for the ordinary person.
Bridging Borders Through a Connected Financial Future
The Commonwealth Union is leading the way in reimagining global finance. By bringing together voices from government, finance, and technology, we are building a united ecosystem that is working to drive innovation and foster cross-border collaboration.
Through our Crypto and Blockchain Vertical, we are unlocking new possibilities for investment and partnership across the Commonwealth and beyond. And we will soon be launching a Digital Banking Network—an initiative that aims to enhance financial inclusion and strengthen economic connections across the Commonwealth and MENA regions.
We are inviting progressive organizations and individuals to be part of this journey right from the start. If you wish to learn more or be engaged before the launch, email us at Info@commonwealthdigitalbankingclub.com
