President Dr Patrick Herminie chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 25th March, during which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.
Cabinet approved the key policy directions arising from the Children Act Gap Analysis to guide the development of a modern and comprehensive child protection framework in Seychelles. This includes the repeal and replacement of the existing Children Act, the establishment of a strengthened safeguarding system with improved inter-agency coordination, the creation of a dedicated Family Division of the Supreme Court, enhanced child participation mechanisms, and increased investment in services, capacity building and oversight structures. Cabinet further endorsed the necessary legislative, institutional and resource decisions to enable the drafting and implementation of reformed children’s legislation and support systems.
Cabinet approved the Ninth Progress Report on the Implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, noting the significant progress made in legislative reform, institutional strengthening, and child protection interventions. These include enhanced coordination mechanisms, improved resource allocation, and expanded programmes supporting children’s welfare. Cabinet further acknowledged the remaining challenges related to data management, inter-agency coordination, and the increasing complexity of child protection cases, and emphasised the need for continued strengthening of systems and targeted resource allocation to ensure the sustained promotion and protection of children’s rights in Seychelles.
Cabinet approved the National Assembly (Administration) Bill, 2026, which establishes a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to strengthen the administrative, financial, and operational independence of the National Assembly. The Bill provides for the creation of an independent Parliamentary Service and a Parliamentary Service Commission, introduces enhanced governance structures, reinforces parliamentary security including cyber-security measures, and establishes a Parliamentary Budget Office to support oversight functions. It further ensures accountability and sound financial management while aligning with constitutional provisions and Commonwealth best practices, with minimal immediate financial implications and provision for future regulatory frameworks to support its implementation.
Cabinet approved the Drugs Enforcement Agency Seychelles Bill, 2026, recognising it as a critical measure to strengthen Seychelles’ capacity to combat illicit drug trafficking and associated criminal activities. The Drugs Enforcement Agency Seychelles will serve as the apex body responsible for coordinating prevention, investigation, enforcement, and intelligence efforts, while enhancing inter-agency collaboration and modernising law enforcement capabilities to safeguard national security and public safety.
Cabinet approved the drafting of an Unexplained Wealth Act, incorporating non-conviction-based asset recovery provisions, as part of efforts to further strengthen the legal framework for addressing the proceeds of crime and enhancing the country’s capacity to combat illicit enrichment.
Cabinet approved a comprehensive package of measures to strengthen the licensing and regulatory framework for 2-wheelers. These include the introduction of mandatory theory, off-road and on-road training and testing, the designation of the Department of Transport as the responsible training authority, and the implementation of a progressive licensing system with restrictions on engine capacity and upgrade conditions. Cabinet further approved stricter enforcement measures, including strengthening the ban on stand-up electric scooters on public roads, introducing limits on electric bicycle power and speed, and establishing mandatory helmet safety standards. In addition, Cabinet endorsed the imposition of a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new scooter and motorcycle licences, the implementation of a nationwide education and awareness campaign, and the drafting of the necessary legislative amendments.
Cabinet approved the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill, 2026 to modernise the legal and institutional framework for public service broadcasting in Seychelles. The Bill repeals and replaces the existing 2011 Act and establishes a framework that strengthens editorial independence, enhances governance and accountability, supports digital transformation, and ensures financial sustainability through a structured multi-source funding model, thereby positioning the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation to operate effectively and credibly in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Cabinet approved the Seychelles Media Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to align the Seychelles Media Commission Act (Cap. 318) with the Constitution. The amendments consider the process of appointments of the Board of the Commission.
Cabinet approved the proposed institutional reform of the agriculture sector. These include the establishment of the Seychelles Agriculture Development Agency (SADA) and the Biosecurity Agency of Seychelles (BAS), the renaming and restructuring of the Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture into the National Agricultural Sciences and Innovation Institute (NASII), and the creation of the National Agricultural Development Council (NADC) as an advisory body. Cabinet further approved the preparation of the necessary legislation and implementation arrangements to give effect to these reforms, aimed at strengthening governance, improving service delivery to farmers, enhancing biosecurity, and promoting research, innovation and stakeholder coordination to support national food security, resilience and sustainable agricultural development.
Cabinet approved the Annual Performance Report for the year ended 31st December 2025, noting the strong economic performance with real GDP growth of 5.1% driven by tourism recovery, improved fiscal outcomes with a primary surplus of 2.6% of GDP exceeding the target, and overall expenditure discipline despite slight revenue underperformance mainly from grants and non-tax revenues.
Cabinet approved the signing of the Early Harvest Arrangement under the proposed Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development between the Republic of Seychelles and the People’s Republic of China. The agreement is a strategic initiative to enhance bilateral trade relations and secure early market access benefits for Seychelles’ exports. Cabinet further endorsed both Seychelles’ and China’s preferential tariff offers which covers a significant number of tariff lines with substantial reductions to zero percent while safeguarding sensitive sectors through an exclusion list.
