Digital payments are gaining momentum across Pacific Island economies, with recent developments in Tonga and Solomon Islands showing how banks, regulators and development partners are using technology to reduce friction in everyday commerce and connect local businesses more directly with customers.
In Tonga, a partnership between ANZ and the Market Development Facility has helped 14 businesses integrate ANZ eGate, allowing them to accept international credit-card payments directly through their websites and receive funds into local bank accounts.
The collaboration, launched in 2025 and supported by the Australian Government through MDF, provided businesses with specialist technical assistance to establish and optimise online payment systems.
The results point to strong demand. ANZ said monthly eGate transaction volumes increased almost tenfold over the past year, while the value of payments rose more than 45-fold. Tourism, accommodation and rental businesses have been among the strongest adopters.
Jason Murray, Country Head of ANZ Tonga, said digital payments were becoming increasingly important in supporting business growth and helping local firms reach customers beyond Tonga.
A parallel development in Solomon Islands shows the trend extending from e-commerce into domestic banking.
On 23 August, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands enabled Instant Funds Transfers between participating banks. Eligible domestic payments of up to SBD3,000 can now be transferred almost immediately.
Solomon Islands is the third Pacific country to introduce instant payments, following Fiji and Samoa.
ANZ Solomon Islands Country Head Heath Bruns described the development as an important step in the modernisation of Pacific payment systems.
For Pacific businesses, faster and more accessible digital payments can have an impact out of proportion to the size of the technology involved. Small firms often operate across scattered islands, depend heavily on overseas customers and face high transaction and banking costs.
Online gateways can help tourism businesses take bookings directly, while instant domestic transfers can improve cash flow for small traders and service providers.
The developments also support broader efforts by regulators, banks and institutions including the World Bank to improve financial inclusion and strengthen regional payment infrastructure.
