Victoria, Seychelles, 4 March 2026 – H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Sebastien Pillay, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles, to brief him on the purpose of his visit and discuss how the country can maximise opportunities under the AfCFTA framework.

The meeting explored sector-specific opportunities for Seychelles, particularly in fisheries and the broader blue economy, as key drivers for expanding intra-African trade and strengthening regional value chains.

The AfCFTA Secretariat also highlighted available support mechanisms, including the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, which can assist countries in managing the transition associated with trade liberalisation and support investments in infrastructure and competitiveness.

Discussions further underscored the importance of digital trade as a pathway for island economies to overcome geographic constraints. Opportunities identified included digital services exports, tourism marketing platforms, and e-commerce solutions to support fisheries and marine products exports across African markets.