Counties Presentation – Overview of the R&I Ecosystem / Presentation Des Pays – Ecosysteme R&I du Pays

Seychelles

General Presentation of Seychelles

S eychelles is a high-income Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the western Indian Ocean that has a small and culturally diverse population and ecologically diverse environment. It is a high-income economy with a per capita income at $14,340 GNI, according to the Atlas method (current US dollars).1 Based on a purchasing power parity indicator (PPP) in current international dollars, however, the GNI per capita rises to $33,480 in 2022.2 With regards to its Human Development Index (HDI), in 2021 it was ranked 72nd out of 189 countries (UNDP, 2021/2022). Since attaining independence in 1976, Seychelles has experienced rapid economic growth with per capita output expanding approximately seven times compared to pre-independence levels. This impressive economic growth can be attributed to factors such as political stability and macroeconomic stability.

Since its independence, Seychelles has been a politically stable democracy with citizens actively participating in politics and policy processes. Civil society organizations are involved in various agendas, including environmental justice and socio-economic development. The country has a functional legal system, the composition of which includes a mix of English common law, the Napoleonic Code, and customary law. Due to the scale and size of its economy, it does not have a specialized court for commercial cases.3 The country has a wide range of programmes for social protection and support. Life expectancy is 72 years for men and 82 years for women. The main sectors that have received government investment over the years are health and education. Health and education services are free in the country. In 2020, Seychelles spent almost 7 per cent of GDP on social welfare, a level higher than the averages observed across Sub-Saharan Africa (US Department of State, 2022). Prudent fiscal and monetary policies have been implemented since 2008 with macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms aimed at reducing the burden of external debt and enabling robust growth.

An overview of key economic indicators is presented in annex 1. The key economic sectors in Seychelles are tourism, financial services and fisheries, and agriculture to a lesser extent. The economy is a driven by services, especially tourism, which represent about 75 per cent of GDP (US Department of State, 2022). Fisheries and agriculture sectors are heavily reliant on their natural resources, and as a result the economy is vulnerable to environmental change – particularly to climate change – and other human-induced effects. To reduce over-dependence on tourism and fisheries, as well as diversify the economy more generally, the Government is promoting investment in agriculture, small-scale manufacturing and information and communications technology. 

Source: Seychelles Science, Technology & Innovation Policy Review

Leading texts / Principaux textes fondateurs 

The 2016-2025 Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Strategy (STIPS)

The 2018-2022 Strategic Plan

Others

Overview of STI provisions in Key Frameworks

Policy Framework STI Policy provisions and/or objectives

Industrial Property Act 2014 An Act of the National Assembly to provide for the adequate protection and enforcement of industrial property rights to encourage local inventive and innovative activities, stimulate transfer of foreign technology, promote foreign direct investment, create a competitive business environment, discourage unfair practices, enhance free and fair practice and thereby foster socio economic development and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 
Fair Trading Act 2022 Promotes the improvement of standards and quality of goods and services supplied by service providers and business enterprises. Promotes technology transfer and dissemination.
National Employment Policy and Strategies, 2014 Promote an information technology literate and competent labour force. Equip Seychellois with knowledge, competencies and entrepreneurial mindset to compete successfully in a global knowledge-based economy.
Fair Trading Act 2022 Promotes the improvement of standards and quality of goods and services supplied by service providers and business enterprises. Promotes technology transfer and dissemination.
ICT in Education and Training Policy, 2022- 2027 Establishment of ICT in Education Public-Private Partnerships. Increase effective use ICTs for teaching and learning. Improve access to quality digital resources.
201 Seychelles Investment Act and 2014 Seychelles Investment (Economic Activities) Regulations Promote FDI as a mechanism for technology transfer.
Blue Economy Strategic Policy and Roadmap Charting the Future (2018-2030). Prioritizes the development of a marine biotechnology sector as the driving factor to achieve sustainable, ocean-based economy, economic development.
2004 Cultural Policy “Protect, safeguard, and develop the moral, ethical, and spiritual values of Seychellois culture and dignity, including the protection of intellectual property, and the cultural, as well as the natural heritage of Seychelles”.
National Entrepreneurship Strategy, 2023 To create a resilient and conducive knowledge-based entrepreneurship ecosystem that supports Seychelles’ socioeconomic development agenda sustainably and inclusively. Facilitate technology exchange and innovation.

Source: Seychelles Science, Technology & Innovation Policy Review

R&I Public Entities / Structures R&I:

Référencement des principales institutions en charge de la R&I / Listing of the main institutions in charge of R&I

The research and innovation system of Seychelles consists of one public university (University of Seychelles) and ten professional centres. The ten professional centres, which are tertiary non-university education and training institutions, are:

  • Seychelles Business Studies Academy
  • Seychelles Institute of Art & Design
  • Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture 
  • Seychelles Institute of Distance and Open Learning
  • Seychelles Institute of Technology
  • Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education
  • Seychelles Maritime Academy
  • Seychelles Tourism Academy
  • National Institute of Health and Social Studies
  • The Guy Morel institute

The University of Seychelles has several departments which carry out research. These include:

  • Blue Economy Research Institute
  • Environmental Science Department
  • Faculty of Business and Sustainable Development
  • Faculty of Arts and Social Development
  • Faculty of Science and Technology

Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry (MIEI) and the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) MIEI is responsible for policy frameworks for STI, industrialization, entrepreneurship and investment. 

Seychelles Bureau of Standards

DSTI (formerly National Institute for Science, Technology, and Innovation – NISTI), is the main body coordinating STI policy and programmatic initiatives in the country, including the implementation of the STI Policy and Strategy 2016-2025. 

Ministry of Community Development, Social Affairs and Sports The Ministry’s mission is to empower the communities and enable them to be directly involved in determining their needs which will promote social and economic wellbeing. Develops, promotes and implements community-based programmes in liaison with district authorities. Liaises with other ministries and agencies to facilitate the implementation of their programmes at district level. 

Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture : The Ministry is responsible for fisheries and agricultural policy in general. Promotes R&D and innovation activities in agriculture and fisheries. Support training of local communities in the use of new agricultural technologies through field trials and extension services. 

Ministry of Education Sets overall national policy for education and training to build human resources for STI. Ensures equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. Promotes the increase of the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship. Promote the building of digital skills in the economy. 

Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) To promote both local and foreign investments in Seychelles. To offer first class services to attract and retain investments. To work in close collaboration with key stakeholders to stimulate, identify and facilitate investments. To contribute towards the development of an investor-friendly business environment. 

Enterprise Seychelles Agency (ESA) ESA provides Business Development Services to improve the performance of the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, enabling their access to markets and competitive edge. University of Seychelles Training and research in various aspects of STI. Has institutes and/or programmes dedicated to climate change, blue economy, ICT/ computing, chemistry and physics. Plans to establish a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship in 2023. 

Seychelles Institute of Technology Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) focused on engineering, built environment and information and communication technology fields.

Source: Seychelles Science, Technology & Innovation Policy Review

Référencement des infrastructures de R&I (laboratoire de Recherche) / Referencing R&I infrastructures (research laboratories)

Blue Technology Incubator with a focus on the Blue Economy Cluster, a partnership between the Blue Economy Department and NISTI (DSTI)

If available

Sites web de référence / Reference websites

The University of Seychelles publishes an open-access journal, named Seychelles Research Journal, which publishes research papers to showcase research undertaken in and about Seychelles : WEBsite

Précisez les Axes de Recherche clés du pays / Specify the country’s key research areas

  • Blue Economy
  • others

Collaborations and Partnerships in the OI Basin / international TBM / Collaborations et Partenariats dans le bassin Océan Indien /international à mettre en avant :

Mettre en avant les collaborations au besoin avec des partenaires du bassin OI/ à l’international
Highlight collaborations with partners in the OI/ international basin, where appropriate

  • SADC Protocol on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and adopted the 2015 SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2065)

The objective of the Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation is “to foster co-operation and promote the development, transfer and mastery of science, technology and innovation” among Member States.

  • AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024)
  • African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and acceded to the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs
  • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since 2002
  • UNCTAD-hosted UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development sessions, as well as the UN STI Forum