HONIARA, April 30, 2026- A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Solomon Islands will focus on expanding jobs and economic opportunities by improving how people, goods, and services move across the country and by lowering the cost of doing business.
The new Country Partnership Framework, developed in close consultation with the Government of Solomon Islands, outlines how the World Bank Group will support the country's priorities from FY2026 to FY2031. The program focuses on three areas: increasing connectivity, expanding access to affordable and reliable energy, and strengthening economic governance to help create more and better jobs for Solomon Islanders. It is aligned with national priorities and reflects the World Bank Group's Small States Strategy, with a focus on selectivity, tailored support, and faster delivery.
"Solomon Islands has clear opportunities to build a more diverse and job-rich economy," said Bernard Harborne, World Bank Country Representative for Solomon Islands. "This partnership focuses on targeted, practical investments and reforms that can help connect people to opportunity, lower costs for businesses, and support private sector growth."
Given Solomon Islands' exposure to natural disasters and global supply chain disruptions, crisis preparedness is embedded across the program to help protect economic growth and progress, particularly in the face of recent shocks such as Cyclone Maila and emerging energy supply pressures.
Affordable and reliable energy remains a key constraint to growth in Solomon Islands. The partnership outlines how World Bank support will build on investments such as the Tina River Hydropower Project to expand access to cleaner, more affordable and more reliable power and help reduce costs for households and businesses.
Sectors with strong job potential, including fisheries and tourism, will be a focus for investment. Bina Harbor has the potential to strengthen onshore processing and logistics for the tuna industry, while tourism development in Western, Central, and Guadalcanal provinces will support local businesses and communities.
Alongside infrastructure investments, the World Bank will support reforms to strengthen public finances and economic governance. As the economy transitions from logging, improving how revenues are managed and public funds are used will be critical to sustaining services and supporting long-term development. This support will be delivered through a smaller number of larger investments in close partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands and development partners, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Asian Development Bank.
