Seychelles: President Dr. Patrick Herminie led a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where several significant legal and policy memoranda received approval.
According to African Press Organization, the Cabinet endorsed a Multi-Client Seismic Survey Agreement with Mauritius and Viridien to acquire geological and geophysical data in the Mascarene Plateau Region. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of the area's seabed and subsoil resources, supporting evidence-based decisions on their potential while ensuring compliance with environmental, legal, and regulatory standards.
The Cabinet also approved remuneration proposals for the Accounts Receivable Irrecoverable Debts Write-Off Committee and the Irrecoverable Government Loans and Debts Write-Off Committee. This decision is designed to bolster oversight, due diligence, transparency, and accountability in assessing and writing off irrecoverable government debts and loans, with associated costs covered under the Ministry's approved budget.
Further, the Cabinet addressed conflicts between the Immovable Property Tax Act and non-discrimination provisions of certain Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), specifically the Seychelles-South Africa DTAA. Temporary exemptions for South African nationals and others with similar provisions were approved, pending renegotiation of affected DTAAs and implementation of necessary legal and policy measures.
Seychelles will host the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) Annual General Meeting and Broadcasters Convention - Southern Africa in October 2026, with the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) as the host institution. Preparatory measures and inter-agency arrangements were endorsed to ensure the event's success, aiming to enhance Seychelles' regional profile and engagement in broadcasting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora was designated as the custodian Ministry for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Seychelles. The Ministry will establish and operationalize the APRM National Structures, with support from all ministries, to enhance governance, transparency, and accountability within the African Union framework.
Organizational structures for the Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) and the National Institute for Science, Technology and Innovation (NISTI) were approved, effective August 2026. This framework aims to separate policy leadership from program implementation, enhancing accountability and coordination in science, technology, and innovation initiatives, supporting research and entrepreneurship, and driving Seychelles towards a knowledge-based economy.
The Cabinet also approved a National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Integrated Governance System to improve coordination, collaboration, and implementation of STI initiatives across various sectors, supporting Seychelles' socio-economic development.
Lastly, the Cabinet reviewed the 2026 La Digue Transport Assessment, agreeing on several measures to improve transport management on the island. These include proceeding with road proclamations, allowing approved vehicles onto the island, and conducting a scientific study to determine sustainable limits for vehicles, tourism, and development, guiding future policy decisions.