Seychelles and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, innovation and economic empowerment during an official visit by COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe to the island nation.
At the State House, Seychelles President Patrick Herminie highlighted the long-standing partnership between Seychelles and COMESA, praising the regional body’s support through the Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (RECAMP) for providing training and equipment to strengthen the Seychelles chapter of the COMESA Women’s Federation (COMFWB).
During the visit, the two sides launched a new regional programme to build the capacity of young entrepreneurs and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Implemented through the COMFWB Incubation and Innovation Hub, the initiative will focus on improving business management skills, promoting traditional knowledge, creating jobs for young people and increasing women’s participation in the economy.
The discussions also covered trade facilitation, regional connectivity, gender equality, fisheries, statistics and metrology. President Herminie highlighted Seychelles’ adoption of the electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) system, making it the sixth COMESA member state to introduce the digital trade facilitation tool.
Looking ahead, COMESA’s 2026-2030 Medium-Term Strategic Plan will prioritise issues affecting island states, including maritime connectivity, the blue economy, maritime security and climate change. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing regional integration and creating greater economic opportunities across Seychelles and the wider COMESA region.
