Seychelles and UAE deepen trade and investment ties

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 8, 2026

Since taking office in October 2025, President Patrick Herminie has prioritized strengthening Seychelles' bilateral ties with the UAE, highlighted by high-level visits and renewed commitments in infrastructure, energy, and maritime security. This deepening partnership supports Seychelles’ sustainable development goals, boosts investor confidence through regulatory reforms, and aims to expand economic cooperation in sectors such as tourism, the blue economy, and financial services.

Since the inauguration of Dr. Patrick Herminie as president of Seychelles in October 2025, the island nation has actively sought to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Herminie’s first international trip, a visit to Abu Dhabi in December 2025 at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscored the strategic importance of this partnership. The leaders highlighted existing cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, health, education, and maritime security, and pledged to elevate ties to new levels.

The relationship between Seychelles and the UAE is based on decades of collaboration and mutual interests. Since 1979, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has invested close to AED 549 million into Seychelles, contributing to projects across energy, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. Notable renewable energy initiatives include the Ile de Romainville Solar Park and Port Victoria wind farm, developed with support from Masdar and ADFD financing. The UAE has also provided scholarships for Seychellois students and funded vital health facilities such as the diagnostic center and Family Hospital.

Vice President Sebastien Pillay, appointed alongside President Herminie, highlighted the broad scope of the partnership and its role in advancing Seychelles’ sustainable development goals. Pillay emphasized investment opportunities in the blue economy, tourism, medical tourism, real estate, and financial services. He noted ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, including land reclamation projects aimed at luxury tourism and expanding the financial and digital sectors to position Seychelles as a regional economic hub.

Pillay described the bilateral relationship as extending beyond diplomacy to include shared values on human capital development and sustainability. Maritime security remains a priority, with cooperation addressing organized crime such as drug and human trafficking. The government is also focused on regulatory reforms to create a more investor-friendly climate, streamlining processes and clarifying roles and expectations to attract foreign direct investment.

Geographically, Seychelles’ location at the western edge of the Indian Ocean, within the same time zone as the UAE and along key shipping and flight routes, enhances its attractiveness as a gateway for Emirati investors expanding across Africa. The country’s stable political environment, low crime rates, and resilience to extreme weather events further bolster its investment appeal. Recent regulatory adjustments, including a liberal exchange regime and sector-specific tax incentives, support ease of doing business and profit repatriation.

In April 2026, President Herminie returned to the UAE to meet with Emirates Airline Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, successfully restoring daily air service to pre-conflict levels—an essential factor for Seychelles’ tourism-dependent economy. Discussions with UAE officials also reaffirmed ongoing support for desalination projects, sports facilities, and housing developments, illustrating a continued commitment despite regional challenges.

Seychelles’ robust macroeconomic fundamentals provide a solid foundation for this partnership. The country remains the only high-income economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a 5.8 percent growth rate in 2025, driven by record tourist arrivals, fiscal surpluses, and substantial international reserves. An International Monetary Fund-backed reform program supports resilience and sustainability initiatives.

At the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2026, President Herminie spotlighted Seychelles as a frontline state in climate change adaptation, promoting integrated water and ocean management supported by UAE-backed investments. Looking ahead, Seychelles aims to deepen its economic relationship with the UAE through co-investment arrangements, diversification into new sectors, and continued emphasis on energy transition and infrastructure development. Both nations appear committed to a multifaceted partnership that aligns commercial interest with sustainable growth objectives.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.