Youth-Led Cab'It Drives Digital Transformation in the Solomon Islands with Australian Support

Cab'It, a youth-led delivery service, has received substantial support from Australia, boosting Honiara's growing digital economy. The Solomon Islands Australia Partnership announced its support for the emerging business, enabling Cab'It to expand and streamline its operations across Honiara.

Founded by young entrepreneur John Junior Wanofafia, Cab'It has quickly positioned itself as a pioneering force in the country's digital landscape. The business, which takes online orders and delivers goods from suppliers to customers, is set to scale new heights with this latest injection of funding.

Staff of the Australian High Commission and Cab’It during the e-scooter handover to Cab’It under the Solomon Islands Australia Partnership.

With Australian support, Cab'It will employ a sales representative to onboard more suppliers, enhance its ordering and payment systems, and purchase two additional e-scooters to expand its delivery fleet.

The funding will also cover essential administrative training and facilitate the development of a mobile app to streamline the customer experience.

Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Mr Rod Hilton, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with a young local entrepreneur.

“Australia is committed to supporting innovative businesses like Cab'It, which play a crucial role in the Solomon Islands' digital transformation, economic growth, and job creation. The digital economy has huge potential in the Solomon Islands, especially for women, youth, and people with disability, through self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

Since COVID-19, the digital economy in the Solomon Islands has grown, with an increasing number of retail and home-based businesses exploring online services to reach more customers.

Despite this growing trend, success is often hampered by either the unavailability or the prohibitively high cost of delivery services. Cab’It is the only business filling this void, currently partnering with food vendors and restaurants in Honiara and using vehicles and an e-scooter to make deliveries.

Delivery services to Malaita, Western Province and the rest of Guadalcanal are also being explored through ships and planes.

John Junior Wanofafia, Managing Director and Owner of Cab‘It, thanked the Australian Government for its support.

“This assistance will allow us to enhance our services, reach more customers, and create new jobs, particularly for young people in the Solomon Islands. Our goal is to provide reliable and affordable delivery services while also contributing to the growth of the digital economy,” said Mr Wanofafia.

The expansion of Cab'It is poised to increase daily delivery volumes significantly, create numerous job opportunities, and establish partnerships with a broader range of local businesses.

Youth-led initiatives like Cab'It are critical players in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for all as the Solomon Islands embraces digital transformation.

 

Media Release | AHC