BY LORETTA B MANELE
Access to the internet in Solomon Islands is one of the lowest in the Pacific.
This is according to Lodewijk Smets, World Bank’s Economist to Solomon Islands.
In an interview with the media yesterday, he said only less than 20 percent of the population in the country have access to the internet.
Smets spoke about the importance of digital connectivity.
He said with digital connectivity comes information for instance farmers could use it to have updates on weather so they know what they plan to do and when to do it.
Smets added that there is also financial connectivity especially now with the rollout of new digital wallets.
“So, if you have digital connectivity, you also have financial connectivity. The more people are digitally connected, the more they will be financially connected”
Smets said financial connectivity also gives you the opportunity to save money and to invest.
On the other hand, he said lack of digital connectivity really holds back growth and prevents households from saving money thus by expanding digital connectivity we can stimulate economic growth.
Smets stressed that there are many applications of digital connectivity.
“People can go online and sell their businesses online. Even governments could consider using digital techniques, for instance, digital education and digital health services”
However, he pointed out that digital connectivity will not necessarily lead to increased growth unless complementary reforms and investments are in place.
“For instance, if you want farmers to use the internet, you need to teach them and also teach them financial literacy”
Smets emphasized that there is always going to be a need not only to expand digital connectivity, but to ensure that it benefits the population and can lead to growth.
