Continuing its mission to strengthen institutional capacity and advance sustainable economic growth across Asia and the Pacific, the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) successfully conducted a comprehensive four-day specialized training program for the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) from September 8 to 11, 2026.
The course, titled Basic Credit Management Program, was specifically designed in response to a request from DBSI leadership, headed by Chief Executive Officer Mr. Aisake Radu. Held at the King Solomon Hotel in Honiara, the program brought together DBSI lending officers and key staff to sharpen technical competencies, reinforce credit risk management practices, and align operational strategies with development finance principles.
Tailored Curriculum Driving Real-World Impact
The intensive training adopted an adaptive curriculum that balanced foundational theory with practical application. Recognizing immediate operational requirements on the ground, the facilitators expanded core modules to deliver deep-dive sessions and hands-on exercises in financial statement analysis and cash flow forecasting.
Over the course of four days, participants engaged in morning lectures covering DFI mandates versus commercial banking, credit policy frameworks, post-disbursement portfolio monitoring, non-performing loan (NPL) recovery, and alternative dispute resolution. Afternoon sessions were dedicated to interactive case studies, role-playing exercises, and live analysis of active DBSI loan accounts.
The curriculum also directly tackled localized challenges unique to the Solomon Islands, including land tenure complexities, SME bookkeeping constraints, informal sector appraisals, and the cultural dynamics of the traditional wantok system.
Fostering Excellence and Institutional Governance
Highlighting ADFIAP’s holistic approach to capacity building, the training emphasized both rigorous analytical skills and the professional ethics required of modern development bankers. Beyond loan evaluation, discussions focused on internal policy enhancements, such as bridging operational gaps between DBSI credit manual and front-line lending practices.
As a direct outcome of the course, each participant formally submitted an individual action commitment detailing specific procedural changes they will implement in their daily portfolio management practices starting immediately.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Growth
The program concluded with a high-level closing ceremony demonstrating strong institutional leadership and alignment. DBSI Chairperson Mr. Peter Soqoilo, Board Member Ms. Palmela Naesol Alamu (CEO of the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants), CEO Mr. Aisake Radu, Head of Finance Mr. Ismael, and Head of HR Ms. Lynette Tora all attended the event to reaffirm their commitment to ongoing staff development.
To sustain momentum, ADFIAP recommended future specialized modules—including Accounting for Non-Accountants, Basic Risk Management, Problem Loan Restructuring, Strategic Planning, and Agricultural Finance Management—alongside internal DBSI mentorship programs and updated credit templates.
This successful initiative underscores ADFIAP’s steadfast dedication to serving its member institutions by providing high-impact, tailored solutions that build resilient financial institutions capable of driving national economic growth.
