The Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) participated in the COMESA Investment Forum (CIF 2026), held on 26 March 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum, organised under the COMESA Regional Investment Agency in collaboration with national partners, forms part of a broader regional investment platform aimed at strengthening intra-African trade and investment linkages.

SIB was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Anne Rosette, alongside Mrs Bernice Senaratne. The delegation joined Investment Promotion Agencies from COMESA Member States, as well as private sector investors, development partners, and senior policymakers, in a series of high-level engagements.

The forum served as a premier platform for structured business-to-business (B2B) meetings, policy dialogue, and investment matchmaking. It enabled SIB to actively explore opportunities across key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and sustainable industries, while also exchanging insights on market entry strategies and regional investment trends.

Through its participation, SIB showcased Seychelles as a competitive and reliable investment destination, aligned with regional priorities for sustainable and inclusive growth. The engagement further strengthened SIB’s network of strategic partners and reinforced its role in promoting cross-border investment collaboration.

SIB’s presence at CIF 2026 underscores its continued commitment to fostering innovation, facilitating partnerships, and contributing to Africa’s broader economic transformation agenda through impactful and sustainable investment initiatives.

The Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade (MoFNPT) and the Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS) have signed an agreement to launch the International Intellectual Property Rights Registration Loan Scheme. The scheme aims to empower MSMEs and other eligible businesses in Seychelles to protect their intellectual property in regional and international markets. Eligible businesses will receive affordable financing of up to SCR 500,000 at a 3% interest rate, covering costs of IP registration, agent fees, and filing expenses.

For more information: http://www.finance.gov.sc/news/681/New-Loan-Scheme-Launched-to-Boost-International-IP-Protection-for-Seychellois-Businesses

http://www.finance.gov.sc/International-IP-Registration-Loan-Scheme

Following the recent removal by Government of the Moratorium on purchase of residential land by Non- Seychellois, the Ministry of Lands and Housing has published the specific details of new criteria to be used in processing and evaluating applications for Sanction under the Immovable Property (Transfer Restriction) Act.

The amended Guidance Notes entitled "Guidance Notes - Acquisition of Immovable Property or Rights Therein in Seychelles by Non-Seychellois" including the new criteria for purchase of residential land by Non- Seychellois can be viewed or downloaded from the Seychelles Planning Authority or the Seychelles Investment Board Websites - www.spa.gov.sc and www.investinseychelles.com.

The new criteria include:
(1) A minimum market value of SCR10 million for immovable property containing a dwelling house.

(2) A minimum market value of SCR4,000/- per sq. metres for bare land.

(3) A minimum and maximum plot size of 2,000 sq. metres and 4,000 sq. metres respectively.

(4) Exceptions to land size limits for immovable property requiring additional space for privacy, security, difficult topography, etc may be made.

(5) An increase in Sanction duty from 11% to 12% of the market value of the immovable property.

(6) Non-Seychellois will not be permitted to purchase subsidized State land and/or housing units sold under any Land and Housing Scheme.

(7) All applications should meet other applicable criteria, such as land use, the Tourism Development Act Regulations 2020 (ownership of tourism establishments), etc. The new criteria will be subject to periodic reviews and Government will maintain the due diligence process for all applications.

According to the Principal Secretary for Lands Department, Mr. Denis Barbe "the new policy framework is aimed at safeguarding affordability for Seychellois whilst restricting Non-Seychellois ownership to high-end residential properties exceeding specific price thresholds and preserving State land and other land sold under any affordable Government land and housing scheme for future generations".

Dated: 20th March 2025

$8 Million Investment in Solar Energy

Construction has officially begun on the SeySun Lagoon project, a large-scale solar power installation in the Providence Industrial Zone.

Valued at $8 million, the project will cover 40,000 square meters and feature nearly 15,000 solar panels. With an installed capacity of 5 megawatts, the facility is expected to generate around 7 gigawatt hours of electricity annually. This output will supply power to approximately 2,000 households, representing 1.6% of Seychelles’ total electricity production.

The project is being developed by Seychelles Energy Ltd, a joint venture between French renewable energy groups, Quadran International and Vivo Energy Seychelles.

The government has set a target of generating 15% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Achieving this target will reduce Seychelles’ reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen its energy security.

When Seychelles was announced as the host of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025, it marked more than a sporting milestone—it laid the groundwork for a new wave of investment potential. At the heart of it all is the newly constructed beach soccer stadium, a landmark facility that extends beyond sport to serve as a powerful engine for economic and investment growth.

With pristine beaches as the backdrop, the stadium offers a unique setting that very few destinations in the world can match. By marketing it as a premier venue for international beach sports tournaments, Seychelles can create a calendar of events that attracts sports fans and athletes throughout the year.

The stadium isn't just a venue for international athletes—it’s a facility designed with the local community in mind. Beyond hosting the World Cup, it offers a state-of-the-art space for local teams, schools, and sports academies to train and compete. By organising youth tournaments, training camps, and fitness programs, the stadium can become a powerful platform to nurture young talent, promote healthy lifestyles, and inspire the next generation of athletes. Regular community events and open days can further encourage public engagement, ensuring the stadium remains a vibrant and bustling hub of activity. This continuous local use will not only preserve the spirit of the World Cup but also strengthen community pride and create a sustainable source of revenue, firmly positioning the stadium as a long-term investment in both sports’ development and social cohesion.

Beyond sports, the stadium offers tremendous potential as a versatile event space, opening new avenues for event tourism. With its stunning beachfront location and impressive spectator capacity, it can host a diverse range of activities, from open-air concerts and cultural festivals to large-scale corporate gatherings. Its unique setting creates an appealing backdrop that few venues can match, making it an attractive option for both local and international organisers, particularly during peak tourist seasons. By establishing the stadium as a year-round hub for entertainment and cultural events, Seychelles cannot only maximise the return on its World Cup investment but also stimulate ongoing economic activity in the tourism, hospitality, and service sectors. Properly marketed, the stadium could evolve into a landmark venue that draws visitors long after the final whistle of the World Cup has blown.

Following the tournament, the stadium has the potential to generate income in tourism and related services. This ongoing activity will strengthen the tourism value chain by driving demand. It presents an opportunity for businesses to develop new offerings, supporting long-term growth in the tourism value chain.

While the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will put Seychelles in the global spotlight for a few weeks, the long-term value of the stadium lies in its ability to attract consistent and diversified investment. With the right investor engagement, and support for local entrepreneurship, the stadium can become much more than a sports venue—it can become a year-round economic engine.

On Tuesday 19^th November, CEO Ms.  Anne Rosette had the pleasure of welcoming H.E Mr. Wang Qian, Deputy Mayor of Chengdu Municipal People's Government and his delegation to the Seychelles Investment Board.  The delegation arrived on the inaugural direct, non-stop charter flight from Chengdu, China, operated by Sichuan Airlines.

The discussions centred around investment opportunities in Seychelles notably around the Seychelles SDG Investor Map.  It was also an opportune time to also understand the areas of interest from the Chengdu delegation and how SIB can assist with further dialogue. 

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to continue to explore the investment opportunities.