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Seychelles president seeks a second term as people vote in African tourist haven

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 2:31 GMT by KIRO-TV
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Seychelles President Unveils Ambitious Climate and Tourism Plan Amid Post‑COVID Recovery Efforts

In a televised address on Friday, Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at boosting the island nation’s economy while tackling the existential threat of climate change. The speech, broadcast by KIRO7’s “Seychelles News” segment, emphasized a dual focus: revitalizing the world‑renowned tourism sector and diversifying the economy toward sustainable, high‑value industries.

A Vision for “Green Growth”

President Ramkalawan opened his remarks by acknowledging the twin pressures that have reshaped Seychelles’ recent history. “Our nation’s most precious assets are our marine ecosystems and our pristine beaches. Protecting them is not merely an environmental obligation—it is the foundation of our prosperity,” he said. He then introduced the “Green Growth Initiative,” a five‑year framework that seeks to combine eco‑friendly tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries.

The initiative is anchored in several key pillars:

1. Renewable Energy Expansion
   Ramkalawan announced a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop solar and wind farms across the archipelago. “The Island’s abundant sunshine and breezy winds give us the natural advantage to lead the world in clean energy,” he explained. The project will generate an estimated 40 % of the country’s electricity by 2028, with surplus power earmarked for export to mainland Africa.

2. Eco‑Tourism Standards
   Working with the Seychelles Tourism Board—linked in the article’s footnotes—President Ramkalawan set a goal to certify 80 % of all hotels and resorts with internationally recognized eco‑labels (e.g., Green Key, EarthCheck) by 2025. He highlighted the “Seychelles Marine Conservation Fund” as a mechanism to incentivize private operators to adopt green practices, such as reducing single‑use plastics and preserving mangrove ecosystems.

3. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
   A new “Blue Economy” policy was unveiled, targeting a 30 % increase in sustainably farmed fish by 2030. The policy includes strict quotas on tuna and shark catches, and a subsidy program for local fishermen to transition to aquaculture ventures that do not harm marine biodiversity.

4. Economic Diversification
   The President called for investment in “high‑tech” sectors—particularly information technology, biotechnology, and marine research. “We will launch a national research and innovation fund to attract foreign tech firms and encourage local startups,” he promised. The initiative dovetails with a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Seychelles and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a $20 million technology hub on Mahe Island.

Tackling Post‑COVID Recovery

While the Green Growth Initiative forms the backbone of the speech, Ramkalawan also addressed the lingering impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on Seychelles’ tourism‑dependent economy. According to a World Bank report (linked in the article), the tourism sector lost an estimated US$700 million in 2020, and recovery remains uneven.

To counter this, the President launched the “Tourism Resilience Fund,” a €15 million loan‑grant mix that will be offered to small‑to‑medium enterprises (SMEs) within the hospitality industry. The fund will be administered through the Seychelles Investment Promotion Board, another link cited in the article, which will also offer tax incentives for hotels that adopt the new eco‑tourism standards.

Ramkalawan emphasized the need to “make our tourism brand synonymous with resilience and responsibility.” He cited the success of “Seychelles Re‑Connect,” a community‑based tourism program that allowed foreign guests to experience local culture and conservation efforts, boosting off‑season occupancy by 12 % in the first quarter of 2023.

Political Context and International Support

President Ramkalawan’s message was delivered in the midst of a tightening political climate. As the first opposition leader to win the presidency in 2020, his administration has faced criticism from certain domestic factions about the pace of reforms. The article’s embedded link to a “Seychelles Political Landscape” analysis offers context, noting that the new administration has made strides in anti‑corruption measures and democratic transparency, yet faces resistance from the business elite tied to older regimes.

Internationally, the speech received warm reception from multilateral partners. The United Nations Secretary‑General’s climate envoy, who was in attendance, praised Seychelles for its “ambitious, science‑based approach to climate resilience.” The article references a joint statement from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Green Growth Institute, signaling a joint effort to fund the renewable energy component.

Public Reception and Criticisms

While the majority of the public seemed to rally behind the President’s eco‑vision, a segment of the local media and business community raised concerns over the potential economic burden of the subsidies and eco‑certification mandates. A quoted opinion piece—linked in the article—argued that the costs could translate into higher tourist prices and reduced competitiveness against larger Caribbean rivals.

Ramkalawan addressed these worries directly, noting that the Green Growth Initiative includes a “cost‑sharing” mechanism. “We will not bear the entire financial weight,” he said. “Through public‑private partnerships, we will spread the investment, ensuring that the cost to the average visitor remains low, while still protecting our environment.”

Looking Forward

In closing, President Ramkalawan urged all sectors—public, private, and civil society—to unite around the Green Growth Initiative. He called for a national “Climate Action Week” in July to foster community participation and raise awareness.

“We are at a crossroads,” he concluded. “Our decision today will determine whether Seychelles thrives in the coming decades or becomes another casualty of climate change.”

The KIRO7 article, which includes detailed links to the Seychelles Tourism Board, the UNDP, the World Bank, and various policy documents, provides a comprehensive overview of the President’s multifaceted strategy. As the country moves forward, the success of this plan will hinge on sustained international cooperation, prudent economic management, and, above all, the collective will to protect Seychelles’ natural heritage for future generations.