AGP Executive Report

Judicial Accountability: Seychelles-linked “G. Mamba” headlines a major E6.4 million CAF Confederation Cup prize fight, with the return leg framed as a fresh start despite a 2-0 advantage. Illicit Finance & Governance: Namibia’s first consolidated assessment flags a major financial “loophole,” estimating N$16.7bn in annual illicit financial flows driven by tax evasion, misinvoicing, corruption and crime. Transport & Regional Connectivity: Ghana’s Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe outlines rail, maritime, aviation and road reforms, including Tema–Mpakadan standard-gauge progress and plans to restart freight operations. Seychelles–Russia Diplomacy: “Under One Sun” opens in Victoria, marking 50 years of Seychelles independence ties with Russia through joint plein-air art and high-level attendance. Maritime Security: Seychelles is reported as concerned by renewed Somali piracy and emerging threats along key shipping routes. Digital Policy & Sovereignty: A Seychelles-linked fintech panel at the Global Fintech Festival discusses CBDCs, stablecoins and cross-border digital money’s impact on monetary control. National Assembly: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay answers questions on housing policy, clarifying there is no “Special Housing Loan” under HFC, but a “Special Housing Scheme.” Tourism & Mobility: Seychelles is cited among destinations seeing rising island travel demand, while multiple countries’ visa-waiver rules continue to reshape regional visitor flows.

Transport & Connectivity: Ghana’s transport minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe says rail, maritime, aviation and road reforms are advancing connectivity, including passenger services on the Tema–Afienya standard-gauge line and steps toward freight operations, plus renewed Western Line works. Seychelles–Russia Human Capital: Seychelles hosted “50 Years of Friendship” with Russia, with Education Minister David Pierre and Russian ambassador Kirill Sokolov-Shcherbachev highlighting education and vocational training links. Seychelles–Solar & Renewables: Seychelles and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) strengthened cooperation on solar PV and renewable energy development. Regional Security: Seychelles flagged renewed Somali piracy risks and emerging threats along key shipping routes. Parliament & Housing: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay faced National Assembly questions on housing, clarifying there is no “Special Housing Loan” but a “Special Housing Scheme” for vulnerable groups. Digital Money Policy: Central bank officials, including Seychelles’ participation, discussed how CBDCs and stablecoins could affect monetary sovereignty at a fintech forum. Tourism Demand Signal: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows Praslin searches up 80% year-on-year, underlining rising interest in Seychelles. International Aviation Context: Seychelles’ wider region remains in focus as Thailand and other countries tighten or adjust visa rules, affecting travel planning.

Seychelles–Russia Human Capital: Seychelles hosted a conference marking “50 Years of Friendship,” with Education Minister David Pierre and Russian officials discussing education and vocational training as the backbone of shared development. Parliamentary & Maritime Links: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal, probing passenger facilities, maritime connectivity, and the Mumbai Marina project. Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles and the International Solar Alliance renewed talks on scaling solar PV and renewable energy adoption, aligning priorities for the country’s energy transition. Regional Finance Policy: At a Global Fintech Festival session, Seychelles was among central banks discussing how CBDCs, stablecoins and tokenised deposits could affect monetary sovereignty, especially in cross-border payments. Seychelles–China Cultural Ties: The 3rd China Film Festival launched in Seychelles with Ambassador Lin Nan and Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein highlighting film as a bridge for bilateral exchange. Seychelles–India Energy Supply: Seychelles’ wider Indian Ocean energy ties continue as India’s IndianOil expands long-term fuel cooperation frameworks with partners in the region. National Assembly Housing Question: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay responded to lawmakers on housing support, clarifying there is no “Special Housing Loan” scheme under HFC, but a “Special Housing Scheme” for vulnerable groups. International Mobility Note: Canada’s eTA list includes Seychelles, easing air travel paperwork for eligible travellers.

Seychelles–Russia Human Capital Ties: Seychelles hosted a conference marking “50 Years of Friendship,” with Education Minister David Pierre and Russian Ambassador Kirill Sokolov-Shcherbachev discussing education and vocational training as the backbone of human capital development. Seychelles–China Cultural Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan attended the launch of the 3rd China Film Festival in Seychelles, with Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein calling film a “gentle cultural envoy” to deepen bilateral ties. Seychelles–ISA Energy Cooperation: Environment and energy officials met the International Solar Alliance to push Seychelles’ solar PV and renewable energy transition, reaffirming partnership priorities. National Assembly Housing Question: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay told lawmakers there is no “Special Housing Loan” under the Housing Finance Company, clarifying instead a “Special Housing Scheme” aimed at vulnerable groups. Regional Mobility & Policy Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules tighten from 15 September (30-day tourism stays; land-border caps), while Canada expands eTA eligibility—Seychelles is listed. Parliamentary Diplomacy: A Seychelles parliamentary delegation visited Mumbai’s cruise terminal to explore maritime infrastructure and tourism potential.

Renewables & Energy Diplomacy: Seychelles and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) reaffirmed cooperation on solar PV and renewable energy priorities, with talks led by Environment, Climate, Energy & Natural Resources Minister Marie-May Jeremie and ISA DG Ashish Khanna. Parliament & Maritime Tourism: A Seychelles National Assembly delegation led by Speaker Azarel Ernesta visited the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal to review passenger facilities, cruise infrastructure and sustainability efforts, including discussion of the Mumbai Marina Project. VAT & Economic Policy: Cabinet chaired by President Patrick Herminie approved VAT amendments extending exemptions for certain construction services tied to VAT-exempt goods imported in disassembled form. Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reporting a July-August rebound after mid-2026 disruptions and outlining a 2027 shift from strategy-setting to implementation. International Cooperation: Seychelles’ ties with China continued with a China Film Festival launch ceremony in Seychelles and the sending off of SIT students for EV training in China. Regional Security Tech: A public security technology expo in China showcased robotic “officers” and drone systems for policing—an outside look at how enforcement may evolve. Travel Policy Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules tighten from 15 September, including a 30-day tourism cap and a 15-day tier for Seychelles and Mauritius. Finance & Compliance: FiveComply highlights its licensing and compliance footprint across Cyprus, Dubai, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Seychelles–India Parliamentary Links: Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta led a delegation to Mumbai’s International Cruise Terminal, touring passenger facilities and discussing maritime infrastructure and the proposed Mumbai Marina Project, alongside sustainability initiatives. China Cultural Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan attended the launch of Seychelles’ 3rd China Film Festival, with Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein calling film a “gentle cultural envoy” to deepen bilateral ties. Renewables Cooperation: Seychelles met the International Solar Alliance’s director general to strengthen partnership on solar PV and renewable energy priorities. EV Training for Students: Lin Nan and Education Minister David Pierre sent off SIT students for an electric vehicle training programme in China. Tourism Strategy Update: Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 recovery momentum and outlining a 2027 shift toward implementation and resilience after Middle East disruptions. Regional Sports Programme: Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international calendar spanning Olympic qualification, COSAFA U-20, CAF Beach Soccer qualifiers and the FIFA U-15 World Cup festival. Visa Access Watch (for Seychellois travellers): Canada expanded eTA eligibility and listed Seychelles among 17 eTA-eligible countries, while Thailand halved visa-free stays and capped land-border entries—changes that may affect travel planning.

Seychelles–Saudi Diplomacy: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss bilateral ties, with a focus on economic and tourism cooperation. Parliament & Maritime Tourism: National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta led a Seychelles parliamentary delegation to Mumbai’s cruise terminal, exploring passenger facilities, maritime connectivity, and the proposed Mumbai Marina Project, including sustainability initiatives. Renewables Cooperation: Environment Minister Marie-May Jeremie met International Solar Alliance DG Ashish Khanna to strengthen Seychelles’ solar PV and renewable energy partnership. Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting, citing a July-August rebound and outlining a 2027 shift from planning to implementation after Middle East disruptions. Immigration Policy Watch (Regional Impact): Thailand announced major visa-free changes from Sept 15—cutting many nationalities’ stays from 60 to 30 days, capping land border entries, while Seychelles travellers get a separate 15-day tier. Global Mobility (DV Update): A US court temporarily lifted restrictions affecting DV-2026 applicants, with 53,939 prospective applicants registered from 49 African countries; Seychelles is among those listed. Sports Diplomacy & Culture: Seychelles chess players competed at the Windhoek Namibia Open, while the Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international programme spanning youth, beach soccer and Olympic qualification.

Renewables & Energy Diplomacy: Seychelles reaffirmed its push for solar PV and renewable energy cooperation with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) after talks between Environment Minister Marie-May Jeremie and ISA director general Ashish Khanna on the margins of the ISA Africa committee meeting. Cabinet & Tax Policy: Cabinet approved VAT amendments to extend a VAT exemption for certain farming, fishing and related activities, including construction services tied to assembling and installing VAT-exempt imported goods. Foreign Relations: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss bilateral ties and ways to deepen economic and tourism cooperation. China–Seychelles People-to-People Links: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan sent off Seychelles Institute of Technology students for electric vehicle training in China, and separately met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein on cultural heritage, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Regional Trade & Finance: Seychelles is set to host the AfCFTA Digital Trade Corridor headquarters in Victoria after Cabinet approval, with a US$5.17bn digital marketplace and interoperable payment system aimed at cutting the cost of intra-African trade. Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board outlined a 2027 roadmap after a difficult first half of 2026, citing July–August recovery momentum and diversification into markets like China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Sports & Community: Seychelles football federation mapped an international programme across youth, senior and beach soccer competitions, while local youth in Grand Anse Mahé received football equipment and Seychellois chess players competed in Namibia’s Windhoek Open. International Mobility Watch: Thailand’s visa-free rules are tightening from 15 September, with Seychelles and Mauritius receiving a separate 15-day exemption, while other nationalities face shorter stays and land-entry caps. Global Legal Update: A US court ruling reopened parts of the Diversity Visa process, with DV-2026 registrations including tens of thousands across Africa and Seychelles among affected countries.

Seychelles–Saudi Diplomacy: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh, discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties, especially economic and tourism cooperation. Regional Trade & Governance: The AfCFTA Secretariat signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal with Ghana’s Quest Ghana, with Seychelles set to provide sovereign support and host the headquarters in Victoria—aimed at cutting the high cost of intra-African cross-border payments and trade. Tourism Policy at Home: Cabinet approved VAT amendments tied to farming and fishing-related activities and Seychelles’ role in hosting an ICOM youth forum, as the Seychelles Tourism Board mapped a recovery-focused 2027 plan after a tough first half of 2026. International Mobility Rules: Thailand’s visa-free regime is tightening from Sept. 15—Seychelles travellers move to a 15-day exemption, while other nationalities face shorter 30-day limits and land-border caps. China–Seychelles Cultural Links: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein and also sent off SIT students for EV training in China, underscoring ongoing people-to-people and skills cooperation. Sports Administration: The Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international-packed season, with national teams and beach soccer set for Olympic qualification, COSAFA U-20, CAF Beach Soccer qualifiers, and an inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival.

Seychelles–Saudi Bilateral Talks: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss boosting cooperation, including economic and tourism links. VAT & Governance Moves: Cabinet chaired by President Patrick Herminie approved VAT amendments extending exemptions for certain farming, fishing and related activities, plus changes tied to VAT-exempt goods imported in disassembled form. AfCFTA Digital Trade Corridor: The AfCFTA Secretariat signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal with Ghana’s Quest Ghana, with Seychelles set to host the venture’s headquarters in Victoria and provide sovereign support. Seychelles Tourism Strategy: The Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 recovery momentum and outlining a 2027 shift from strategy-setting to implementation amid Middle East disruption. Sports & Community: The Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international programme for the new season, while local youth in Grand Anse Mahé received football equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy. International Context: A court ruling in the US temporarily reopened parts of the Diversity Visa process for DV-2026 applicants, with Seychelles among affected countries.

Naval Leadership: India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan told newly commissioned officers that modern war is still “a profoundly human endeavour,” urging courage, inspiration and perseverance as cadets complete training. Cabinet & Tax Policy: Seychelles Cabinet approved VAT amendments extending an exemption for certain construction services tied to VAT-exempt imported goods, alongside plans to host an ICOM youth forum. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, citing a mid-2026 recovery after Middle East disruptions and outlining a 2027 shift from planning to implementation. Foreign Relations: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss bilateral cooperation, including tourism and economic ties. Digital Trade: AfCFTA and Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal, with Seychelles set to provide sovereign support and host the headquarters in Victoria. Sports & Youth: Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international programme spanning youth and beach soccer qualifiers and other competitions, while local MPs backed grassroots football in Grand Anse Mahé. International Aviation Warning: Ukraine urged airlines to avoid Russian airspace after drone activity, while route data shows Russia still has nonstop links to Seychelles and Tanzania.

Cabinet & Tax Reform: President Patrick Herminie chaired Cabinet on Sept 2, approving VAT amendments that extend a VAT exemption for certain farming, fishing and related construction services tied to VAT-exempt imported goods. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board held its annual marketing meeting at Eden Bleu, citing a mid-2026 recovery after Middle East disruptions and outlining a 2027 shift from planning to implementation, with growth led by Russia and supported by emerging markets like China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey. Foreign Affairs: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss boosting bilateral cooperation, especially economic and tourism links. Regional Sports & Youth: Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international programme for the new season, while Grand Anse Mahé youth received football equipment from MNA Nelsia Balisa-Lepathy. International Links & Culture: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage, archives, fashion exchange, tourism promotion and skills training. Regional Integration: AfCFTA and Quest Ghana signed a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor deal, with Seychelles set to host the joint venture headquarters in Victoria. Defense & Leadership: Naval Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said the human element still decides modern warfare outcomes.

Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) held its annual Marketing Meeting at Eden Bleu, reviewing 2026 performance after Middle East disruptions and mapping a 2027 shift from planning to implementation, with visitor arrivals picking up in July and August and Russia leading the rebound while China, South Africa, Nigeria and Turkey show growth. Diplomatic Engagement: Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss boosting bilateral ties, including economic and tourism cooperation. Parliamentary Links: India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta, congratulating her on becoming the first woman Speaker and reaffirming shared democratic values and long-standing India–Seychelles relations. Regional Sports Prep: Seychelles has launched preparations for the 12th Jeux des Îles de l’Océan Indien, appointing a national steering committee ahead of the Comoros-hosted 2027 games. Blue Economy & Skills: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute is scaling up training for ship design and shipbuilding as blue economy investment grows. Digital Trade Integration: AfCFTA signed with Quest Ghana to set up a Seychelles-hosted AfCFTA Digital Trade Corridor joint venture, aiming to cut cross-border trade frictions and payments costs.

Seychelles–India Parliamentary Ties: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta in New Delhi, praising shared democratic values and highlighting growing interest in India’s spiritual traditions, including Yoga. Seychelles–China Cooperation: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Seychelles Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to discuss deeper cultural and tourism collaboration, from heritage protection and archives to fashion exchange and skills training. AfCFTA Digital Trade Corridor: The AfCFTA Secretariat signed with Quest Ghana to set up a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor, with Seychelles set to host the joint venture headquarters in Victoria and support interoperable payments and a commodities exchange. Seychelles Social Infrastructure Fund: Finance Minister Pierre Laporte says Seychelles plans a new US$2bn fund focused on health, education and infrastructure, with independent governance to reduce political interference. Seychelles Football Calendar: The Seychelles Football Federation unveiled an international programme spanning Olympic qualification, COSAFA U-20, CAF Beach Soccer qualifiers and the FIFA U-15 World Cup festival. Duma Boko School Scrutiny: Businessman Ramachandran Ottapathu says his role in the Duma Boko-linked project was only temporary and limited to company registration, denying ongoing involvement.

Diplomatic Engagement: Seychelles VP Sebastien Pillay met Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss boosting bilateral cooperation, including economic and tourism links. Parliamentary Ties: India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held talks with Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta, highlighting shared democratic values and support for yoga promotion. Regional Integration: AfCFTA and Quest Ghana signed an agreement for a US$5.17bn digital trade corridor, with Seychelles set to host the venture headquarters in Victoria and support cross-border payments and commodities trading. Domestic Policy: Seychelles set out three conditions foreigners must meet before a residence permit is considered, including eligibility (not being a prohibited immigrant), family or domestic ties, and a contribution to life in Seychelles. International Mobility Rules: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days for most travellers from Sept. 15, while Seychelles gets a separate 15-day exemption. Governance & Oversight: Seychelles plans a new US$2bn fund focused on health, education and infrastructure, with an independent management structure to limit political interference. Security & Justice: A Seychelles-linked residence-permit framework and broader regional enforcement backdrop come as Ukraine warns airlines to avoid Russian skies, with nonstop routes including Seychelles still operating.

Diplomatic Ties: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta in New Delhi, praising shared democratic values and highlighting cooperation on yoga and people-to-people links as both sides mark 50 years of independence and diplomatic relations. Tourism & Culture Cooperation: Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan met Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein to discuss deeper collaboration on cultural heritage protection, archives, fashion exchanges, tourism promotion and skills training. Regional Trade & Payments: The AfCFTA Secretariat and Ghana’s Quest Ghana signed an agreement for a US$5.17bn AfCFTA Digital Trade Corridor, with Seychelles set to host the venture headquarters in Victoria and support a digital marketplace plus interoperable payments. Domestic Policy: Seychelles set out three conditions for residence permit consideration for foreigners, including no prohibited-immigrant status, family or domestic ties to Seychelles, and a contribution (or intended contribution) to life in the islands. Economic Governance: Finance Minister Pierre Laporte says Seychelles plans a new fund focused on health, education and infrastructure, with an independent management structure to limit political interference. International Mobility Rules: Thailand’s visa-free policy is changing from Sept. 15, cutting many travellers’ stays from 60 to 30 days, while Seychelles citizens get 15 days. Security & Maritime Context: Reports highlight rising use of small unregistered vessels in Indian Ocean sea crimes and trafficking, underscoring the region’s ongoing governance and enforcement challenges.