A total of SBD572 million investment has been announced by the Australian Government to deliver reliable, secure, and high-speed internet connectivity for the people of Solomon Islands.
Senator the Hon. Nita Green MP, Assistant Minister for Pacific Affairs and Tourism, announced the commitment during the Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane joined by the Honourable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and senior delegations from both nations.
The Adamasia Cable – a second international fibre-optic submarine cable system spanning 1,015 kilometres – will be constructed and interconnect with the Bulikula cable, part of the Pacific Connect cable system.
This new cable will complement the existing Coral Sea Cable System, which has been operational since 2020, and will provide critical redundancy for uninterrupted international connectivity.
Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, attended the launch and emphasised the transformative impact of this substantial investment.
“This second cable will unlock significant economic and social benefits for Solomon Islanders. It will create local jobs during construction and improve the business environment by supporting a stable, high-speed internet network,” said High Commissioner Hilton.
“Entrepreneurs will have the confidence to build new cloud-based businesses, nurses in remote clinics will be able to access specialist support from Honiara, and students in rural areas will have opportunities for online learning—the possibilities are endless.”
The Minister of Finance and Treasury, the Honourable Rexon Ramofafia, also spoke at the launch event and welcomed the benefits the new cable would deliver for Solomon Islanders.
“This investment marks a significant milestone in our nation’s digital future. Reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is essential for education, healthcare, business, and national resilience,” said Minister Ramofafia.
“We welcome Australia’s continued partnership in building infrastructure that empowers our people, strengthens our economy, and connects Solomon Islands to the world.”
This investment is being delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), which supports high-quality, climate-resilient critical infrastructure across the Pacific.
Underlining Australia’s support for Solomon Islands’ transition to renewable energy, the project will incorporate solar energy generation and storage at the cable landing site, reinforcing sustainability goals.
With an expected completion of late 2027, the project will enable the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company to deliver a secure, resilient, and high-capacity network for the nation, with physical fibre-optic international connections to three countries across the Pacific region (Australia, Republic of Fiji and Guam).
The portfolio of AIFFP-financed investments in Solomon Islands includes the Tina River Hydropower Transmission System, the Tulagi Shipyard rehabilitation project and seven small-scale off-grid renewable energy projects in remote communities.
– AHC
