AGP Executive Report

Taiwan–China Tensions: Taiwan’s legislature unanimously passed a resolution condemning Beijing’s “heavy-handed” obstruction of President Lai Ching-te’s planned Eswatini trip, after flight clearances were abruptly withdrawn by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar—allegedly under Chinese pressure. Seychelles Sports Spotlight: On Lake Neuchâtel, the SSL Gold Cup African and Oceanian Qualifiers saw Seychelles Vann Swet pushed early by Tahiti Black Pearls, while Mozambique suffered disqualifications that hurt its qualification hopes. SBC Governance Watch: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board raised serious concerns over a new SBC bill, warning it could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence by shifting appointment influence toward the Executive. Tourism & Tech: Global mayors in Beijing discussed “smarter travel” using AI and digital tools to boost tourism—an idea Seychelles tourism stakeholders will be watching closely. Energy Cost Warning: UNCTAD warned that Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over US$20bn a year to oil import bills for vulnerable economies, with small island states among the most exposed.

SBC Independence Under Threat: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board says a newly gazetted SBC Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence, warning that proposed governance changes would give the Executive greater influence over appointments. Energy Shock Watch: UNCTAD warns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could push up oil prices and add over US$20 billion a year to the import bills of vulnerable economies, with small island states hit hardest. Regional Diplomacy & Aviation: Seychelles’ Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Blue Economy met Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs during a visit, while a Seychelles-hosted ICAO regional workshop in aircraft and pavement classification standards brought together aviation regulators from across Africa. Tourism Tech Push: Global mayors in Beijing discussed “Smarter Travel, Stronger Cities,” using AI and digital tools to reshape urban tourism. Crypto Business Moves (Seychelles-linked): Bitget launched “Score Your 40%” with a US$1m prize pool, and Zoomex officially rolled out a prediction market; Whale.io also launched “The Whale Printer” staking for $WHALE. Local Sports Spotlight: Seychelles kicked off the SSL Gold Cup African and Oceanian Qualifiers on Lake Neuchâtel, with early race drama as teams fought for Road to Rio points.

SBC Independence Under Fire: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board says a newly gazetted SBC Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence, warning that proposed governance changes may give the Executive greater influence over appointments. Domestic Tourism Push: The Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles launched the “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” campaign to boost local travel during the Golden Jubilee, with staycations and island experiences across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Regional Aviation Standards: Seychelles joined a SADC/ICAO regional workshop in Eswatini on Aircraft and Pavement Classification Ratings (ACR/PCR), aiming to harmonise runway and apron standards to support trade and connectivity. Blue Economy & Diplomacy: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI met Seychelles’ Agriculture, Fisheries and Blue Economy Minister Wallace Cosgrow during a Seychelles visit to Japan. Tourism Tech Spotlight: At a Beijing Global Mayors Dialogue, officials discussed AI-powered, tech-empowered tourism models—an idea Seychelles can watch as it modernises visitor experiences. Wildlife Breakthrough: Scientists say Seychelles’ “lost” crocodiles were identified through DNA matching, linking them to the saltwater crocodile population that disappeared around 200 years ago.

Seychelles Tourism: The Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles have launched “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape,” urging residents to boost domestic tourism with staycations, local experiences and special offers as the country marks its Golden Jubilee. Public Broadcasting: The SBC board says a new Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill could weaken the broadcaster’s independence, warning that appointment powers may shift further toward the Executive. Regional Aviation: Seychelles joined a SADC/ICAO workshop in Eswatini on new Aircraft Classification Rating/Pavement Classification Rating standards, aimed at keeping runways and air infrastructure aligned across the region. Sports & Community: On Lake Neuchâtel, Seychelles’ SSL Gold Cup team faced early start issues but pushed into the racing mix during Day 1 and Day 2 of the Africa & Oceania qualifiers. Global Energy Watch: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could raise oil import costs for vulnerable economies by over $20bn a year—an issue that matters for Seychelles’ import-dependent economy. Wildlife Science: Scientists say the Seychelles’ “lost” crocodiles were identified through DNA work as the westernmost saltwater crocodile population, linking the past to a wider ocean story.

Energy Shock Watch: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could lift oil import costs for vulnerable economies by over $20B a year, hitting inflation and forcing cuts to essentials—especially for least developed countries and small island states. Seychelles Sports & Tourism: The SSL Gold Cup qualifiers kicked off on Lake Neuchâtel with Seychelles racing hard from Day 1, while the Seychelles Tourism Board launched “Rediscover Seychelles” to boost domestic staycations ahead of the Golden Jubilee. Local Governance: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill is drawing serious concern from the SBC board, with fears it could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence through executive-heavy appointment changes. Global Spotlight on Seychelles: Seychelles tops Africa’s 2026 Prosperity Index rankings, combining strong social outcomes and environmental performance with a tourism-driven economy. Science & Heritage: Scientists say the Seychelles’ long-lost crocodiles were identified through DNA matching, revealing their vanished reptiles were saltwater crocodiles from a westernmost population.

SBC Independence Under Fire: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board says a new SBC bill could weaken its independence, warning that proposed governance changes would give the Executive greater influence over appointments. Domestic Tourism Push: Seychelles launches “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local staycations and experiences during Golden Jubilee celebrations. Hormuz Cost Shock for Islands: UNCTAD warns that Strait of Hormuz disruptions could drive up oil prices and hit vulnerable economies and small island states hardest, forcing tough trade-offs on essential spending. Prosperity Spotlight on Seychelles: The Atlantic Council’s 2026 Prosperity Index ranks Seychelles Africa’s top performer, citing strong health, education and environmental outcomes alongside tourism-driven incomes. Regional Justice Talks: SADC justice ministers meet in Victoria Falls with the SADC Tourism UNIVISA agreement set to feature prominently, aiming for smoother regional travel. Climate Adaptation Lesson: A report highlights how “cool roofs” can cut extreme heat exposure and improve sleep and health, with lessons relevant to island communities.

Seychelles Tourism Shake-up: The Government has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO from May 15, aiming to strengthen tourism governance and international promotion. Regional Travel Push: Justice ministers and attorneys general from across SADC met in Victoria Falls, with the SADC Tourism UNIVISA draft on the agenda to create a unified visa for transit and tourism stays. Energy Leadership in the Region: Eskom appointed telecoms veteran Junaid Munshi as group executive for Distribution, effective June 1, with his most recent role at Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Crypto Sanctions Spotlight: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to bypass restrictions on Russia, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX. Aviation Cost Pressure: The Hormuz crisis is driving up jet fuel prices, pushing airlines to raise fares and rethink routes. World Cup Trading Campaign: ZOOMEX launched a “Win a Trip to the World Cup!” campaign with a $300,000 prize pool and premium matchday hospitality experiences. Climate Adaptation Angle: A study highlights “cool roofs” that can cut indoor temperatures in heat-prone homes, improving sleep and health outcomes.

Seychelles Tourism: The Government of Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO, effective 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen tourism governance and international promotion. Regional Justice & Travel: SADC justice ministers and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls (1–5 June) with the SADC Tourism UNIVISA draft on the agenda, pushing toward a unified visa for transit and tourism stays. Energy Leadership: Eskom appointed telecoms veteran Junaid Munshi as group executive for distribution from 1 June, bringing experience from Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Crypto & Sanctions: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to bypass restrictions, adding Seychelles-based exchange HTX to its list. Climate Adaptation: A study highlights “cool roofs” and reflective roof paint cutting peak temperatures in homes across Africa, improving sleep and health outcomes. Sports Promotion: ZOOMEX launched a World Cup campaign with a $300,000 prize pool and hospitality rewards for participants. Environment Science: DNA research confirms Seychelles’ lost crocodiles were western saltwater crocodiles, not a separate species.

Seychelles Tourism: The Government has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen tourism governance and international promotion. Energy Leadership: Eskom has appointed telecoms veteran Junaid Munshi as Group Executive for Distribution effective 1 June, with a background that includes Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Crypto & Regulation: South Africa’s crypto rules are under pressure after a court ruling said cryptocurrencies aren’t money or capital under exchange controls; SARB is appealing while draft regulations are set to follow. Digital Asset Sanctions: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX. Tourism Visas Regionally: Sri Lanka introduced free 30-day tourist ETAs for citizens of 40 countries, including Oman, with Seychelles listed among existing reciprocal arrangements. Security Threats: A global JavaScript malware operation using bulletproof hosting (including Seychelles-linked infrastructure) has been tied to large-scale email fraud. World News (Local angle): Seychelles was also named among countries involved in India’s PRAGATI 2026 defence exercise. Business/Markets: Bitget launched “UEX Traders’ Secret” and “Reality” to push AI trading tools and tokenised real-world assets.

Seychelles Tourism Reset: The Government of Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakić as CEO effective 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen tourism governance and destination marketing after five years under a centralised framework. Energy Leadership Move: Eskom in South Africa appointed telecoms veteran Junaid Munshi as Group Executive for Distribution from 1 June, with prior experience including Chief Commercial Officer at Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Local Environment & Conservation: The Eden Project relaunched its partnership with Seychelles’ Environment Ministry, bringing back the Impatiens “Ray of Hope” plant for sale from 8 June, with proceeds supporting conservation projects. Regional Security & Crime Links: Tanzania says 28 Tanzanians were arrested abroad in 2025 over drug trafficking, with Seychelles recording one arrest involving a Tanzanian national. Global Tech & Sanctions Watch: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX. Press Freedom Snapshot: A new global map from RSF shows press freedom at a 25-year low, with most countries now facing “difficult” or “very serious” conditions.

Seychelles Tourism Reset: The Government has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakić as CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen governance and destination marketing after five years under a centralised framework. Regional Defence Drills: Seychelles is among 13 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 exercise in Meghalaya, focused on counter-terrorism training and interoperability, as the drills conclude. Visa and Mobility Push: Ghana launched an e-Visa platform on African Union Day, pairing it with visa-free access and fee elimination for African passport holders—an accessibility boost for tourism and trade. Energy Leadership in the Region: Eskom appointed telecoms veteran Junaid Munshi as Group Executive for Distribution from 1 June, with prior experience including Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Public Health Focus: A regional mental health workshop in Johannesburg is set to bring together Seychelles and other countries to share best practice ahead of a global summit in Kigali. Security Alert: UK sanctions target digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related sanctions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX. Environment and Conservation: Eden Project relaunches its “Ray of Hope” partnership with Seychelles’ Environment Ministry, with profits from sales supporting conservation projects. Science Spotlight: DNA analysis identifies Seychelles’ lost crocodiles as the westernmost population of the saltwater crocodile, not a separate species.

Tourism Governance: Seychelles reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakić as CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen governance and destination marketing after five years under a centralized tourism framework. Presidential Development Push: President Dr Patrick Herminie visited Coetivy Island to tour key development sites and ongoing projects tied to the island’s economic future, alongside the Transport and Tourism ministers. Agriculture & Food Security: A new look at the future of Seychelles agriculture highlights the pressure from food import dependence, climate change, and rising global costs, with “smart farming” pitched as the way forward. Environment & Conservation: The Eden Project relaunched its Seychelles partnership with the Environment Ministry, bringing back Impatiens ‘Ray of Hope’ for sale from 8 June, with proceeds supporting conservation projects. Blue Economy & Research: Monaco’s Explorations de Monaco presented a final report on its 2022 Indian Ocean mission, delivering 25 recommendations for marine ecosystem protection, fisheries sustainability, and regional cooperation. Global Finance Watch: The UK announced sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX.

Tourism Governance: Seychelles reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakić as CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen governance, destination marketing and long-term resilience after five years under a centralized tourism framework. Energy Leadership: Eskom appointed Junaid Munshi as group executive for distribution from 1 June, bringing decades of telecom and commercial experience including prior leadership at Cable & Wireless Seychelles. Blue Finance: India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation plans the country’s first “blue bond” to fund maritime and coastal infrastructure, with Seychelles noted among island nations that have used similar ocean-focused debt tools. Security & Cybercrime: UK sanctions targeted digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX; meanwhile, reports say hackers used Seychelles-linked bulletproof hosting (OMEGATECH) to support large-scale JavaScript malware and malspam. Environment & Conservation: Eden Project relaunched its Seychelles partnership, with Impatiens “Ray of Hope” sales from 8 June funding conservation projects. Regional Cooperation: An African Union-backed humanitarian coordination platform was launched in Mahé to improve crisis response across the continent.

Seychelles Tourism Reset: The Government has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board, with veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić appointed CEO from 15 May 2026, aiming to strengthen destination marketing and governance after five years under a centralised tourism framework. Conservation & Nature: Eden Project has relaunched its partnership with the Seychelles Environment Ministry, bringing back Impatiens “Ray of Hope” for sale from 8 June, with proceeds supporting conservation projects. Blue Economy & Marine Governance: Monaco’s Explorations de Monaco presented its 2022 Indian Ocean mission report, delivering 25 recommendations for marine ecosystem protection, sustainable fisheries, and stronger regional cooperation across waters shared by Mauritius, Seychelles and Saya de Malha Bank. Agriculture & Food Security: A new look at the future of agriculture in Seychelles highlights smart farming potential alongside big challenges from climate change and rising import costs. Security at Sea: Seychelles authorities arrested eight Iranians after intercepting a stateless dhow carrying opioids and cocaine worth €20 million, with the drugs and vessel destroyed under updated legal disposal rules. Wellness & Resilience: Cable & Wireless Seychelles hosted its inaugural Resilience Run 2026 at Roche Caïman as part of Business Continuity and Resilience Awareness Week. Sports & Sustainability: A bacteria-fermented bioplastic frisbee launch signals a push toward circular materials in sports equipment, with Seychelles mentioned in the wider plastic-waste context.

Tourism Governance: Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board after five years under a centralised model, with veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić appointed CEO effective 15 May 2026. Maritime & Security: Seychelles authorities arrested eight Iranian nationals after the Defence Force intercepted a stateless dhow loaded with opioids and cocaine worth €20 million, with the vessel and drugs disposed of at sea. Blue Economy & Research: Monaco’s Explorations de Monaco presented its 2022 Indian Ocean mission report, delivering 25 recommendations for marine governance, ecosystem protection, fisheries sustainability and regional cooperation. Cybercrime Watch: Researchers warn hackers are using bulletproof hosting providers GHOSTYNETWORKS and OMEGATECH to run JavaScript malware infrastructure behind large-scale malspam and business email compromise. Regional Cooperation: Seychelles joined a regional parliamentary workshop on methane and climate action in Nairobi, as Seychelles lawmakers push climate finance and policy follow-through. Global Trade Shock: The Strait of Hormuz closure is rerouting jet fuel flows worldwide, pushing up costs and affecting travel and tourism economics—felt even in Seychelles-linked routes.

Indian Ocean Marine Governance: Monaco’s Explorations de Monaco presented its 2022 Indian Ocean mission report under the Monaco Blue Initiative, delivering 25 recommendations for protecting marine ecosystems, managing fisheries sustainably, tackling human pressures and strengthening regional cooperation across waters shared by Mauritius, the Seychelles and Saya de Malha Bank. Seychelles Security: Seychelles authorities arrested eight Iranian nationals after intercepting a stateless dhow carrying opioids and cocaine worth €20 million, with the vessel and drugs destroyed at sea following an updated legal framework. Regional Humanitarian Response: The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform in Mahé to improve crisis response across displacement, hunger, conflict and climate-linked disasters, amid a major funding gap. Mental Health Workshop: Seychelles was among countries attending a WHO-led East and Southern Africa mental health inter-country learning workshop in Johannesburg, aimed at sharing best practice ahead of a global summit in Kigali. Digital Identity Warning: Mauritius’ data protection chief stressed that digital ID systems must be built with privacy and cybersecurity safeguards from the start. Cyber Threat: Researchers report hackers abusing hosting providers GHOSTYNETWORKS and OMEGATECH to run JavaScript malware infrastructure used for large-scale spam and business email compromise.