AGP Executive Report

Fisheries Watch: The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission has eased yellowfin tuna fishing curbs after its science body said stocks are improving, but conservationists are warning that past overfishing and weak monitoring could still leave risks—while the commission also set enforceable swordfish catch limits and adopted handling rules to cut bycatch deaths for manta and devil rays. Regional Mobility: Togo has joined the visa-free push for Africans, allowing up to 30 days without a visa (with pre-arrival travel declarations still required), adding to a growing list that already includes Seychelles. Health & Governance Lens: Parliamentarians’ anti-corruption push is back in focus after Speaker Alban Bagbin said Africa loses about $88.6bn a year to corruption—money that could otherwise support healthcare and social protection. Local Angle: Seychelles’ tourism team is leaning hard into India after nearly 75% arrival growth in 2025, using roadshows to book more premium travel.

Botswana’s LGBTQI+ legal shift: Botswana has removed colonial-era clauses that criminalised consensual same-sex relations, aligning the penal code with 2019 and 2021 constitutional rulings—though social backlash is already building, with a major marriage-equality case due in July. Anti-corruption push: In Kigali, Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin said Africa loses about $88.6bn a year to corruption and illicit flows, warning this drains money that could fund healthcare, education and social protection. Regional mobility for health and travel: Togo has joined the visa-free trend for Africans, allowing up to 30 days without a visa (with entry security and public health rules still applying). Seychelles tourism momentum: Tourism Seychelles is doubling down on India after nearly 75% growth in 2025 arrivals, using roadshows to target luxury, weddings, family travel and MICE. Local health-adjacent note: A Seychelles-linked piece also flags a new virus concern (Hantavirus) and its potential impact on travel and tourism.

Tourism Push: Tourism Seychelles has just wrapped a three-city India roadshow in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, banking on a nearly 75% jump in Indian arrivals in 2025 (about 13,400 visitors) to drive more luxury holidays, weddings, family trips and MICE travel. Regional Security Leadership: Rwanda’s Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga has taken over as Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, with the AU mechanism drawing member support including Seychelles for peacekeeping, conflict prevention and disaster response. Health & Inclusion Angle: A disability inclusion message is making waves beyond Seychelles, with Malta’s Dr Lydia Abela urging disability policy to shape education, healthcare and public services. Governance & Corruption: Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin says Africa loses about $88.6bn a year to corruption and illicit flows—money that could otherwise fund healthcare and social protection. Travel Trade Context: The week also saw major travel-industry moves, from new hotel brands joining GHA to fresh India-Africa summit planning.

Tourism Push: Tourism Seychelles has just wrapped a three-city India roadshow in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, banking on a nearly 75% jump in Indian arrivals in 2025 (about 13,400 visitors) and spotlighting luxury holidays, weddings, family trips and MICE. Anti-Corruption Focus: Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin says Africa loses about $88.6bn a year to corruption and illicit flows—money that could otherwise support healthcare, education and social protection—urging stronger vigilance across the continent. Mobility Policy: Togo has joined the visa-free wave for Africans, allowing visa-free entry for up to 30 days (with security, immigration and public health rules still applying). Tech & Skills: Bitget and the University of Geneva are running a Web3 education event for students as part of Blockchain4Youth. Local Health Angle: Seychelles’ tourism and city leaders also keep linking resilience and public services to global challenges, including climate pressures.

Tourism Push: Tourism Seychelles just wrapped a three-city India roadshow in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, banking on nearly 75% growth in Indian arrivals in 2025 (about 13,400 visitors), with meetings aimed at luxury holidays, weddings, family travel and MICE. Anti-Corruption Alarm: Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin says Africa is losing $88.6bn a year to corruption and illicit flows—money that could otherwise fund healthcare, education and social protection—urging stronger vigilance at APNAC in Kigali. Health & Inclusion Angle: Malta’s PM’s wife Lydia Abela stressed disability inclusion must cut across education and healthcare, calling for early support and autism-friendly public services. Tech & Skills: Bitget and the University of Geneva launched a Web3 education event for students under Blockchain4Youth. Mobility Policy: Togo announced visa-free entry for all African nationals for up to 30 days, with security and public health checks still required. Seychelles in the spotlight: Seychelles also appears in global “best countries” rankings and in regional city sustainability talks.

Mental Health Spotlight: Felicity Passon marks five years since her 2021 “Mind over matter” open-water swim, a 15-kilometre La Digue–Praslin–back challenge that took 4 hours 6 minutes and raised over R684,000—showing how sport can carry a bigger message. India-Africa Summit Watch: The 4th India-Africa Forum Summit lands in New Delhi May 28–31, with leaders focused on innovation, resilience and inclusive transformation, and with Kenya highlighted as a key partner across trade, digital, healthcare and maritime security. Regional Mobility Boost: Togo has joined the visa-free push for Africans, allowing short stays up to 30 days (with entry security and public health rules still applying). Anti-Corruption Drive: APNAC’s Bagbin urged renewed action against illicit financial flows, citing Africa’s estimated $88.6bn annual losses to corruption. Local Health & Inclusion: Malta’s PM’s wife, Lydia Abela, stressed disability inclusion as a cross-cutting priority for education and healthcare. Seychelles Angle: Tourism Seychelles reports India arrivals up nearly 75% in 2025, as it wraps its India roadshow.

Visa Openness in Focus: Togo has just removed visa requirements for all African nationals holding a valid passport, with stays of up to 30 days now allowed (effective May 18). Entry Rules Still Apply: travellers must still meet immigration, security and public health checks, and complete a travel declaration at least 24 hours before arrival to get a travel slip. Regional Momentum: Togo becomes the sixth African country to move toward full or near full visa-free access for Africans, following Ghana’s similar shift tied to Africa Day. Anti-Corruption Push: In Kigali, APNAC chair Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin urged Africans to intensify action against corruption and illicit financial flows, citing losses of about $88.6bn a year that could otherwise support healthcare, education and social protection. Health Angle: the latest items don’t report new local health outbreaks, but they do flag public health requirements at borders as visa-free travel expands.

Global Rankings Spotlight: Seychelles is named among Africa’s top performers in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 “best countries” list, ranking 49th worldwide and highlighting how governance, healthcare, safety, opportunity, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability shape where people choose to live and visit. UAE Health Tech Push: In Abu Dhabi, the UAE Cabinet backed a national push to use “agentic AI” across government services and approved an AI-powered healthcare policy aimed at building digital health infrastructure and training healthcare professionals. Tourism Momentum: Tourism Seychelles wrapped up its 2026 India roadshow, pointing to nearly 75% growth in Indian arrivals in 2025 (about 13,400 visitors), driven by better air links and demand for premium island holidays. Regional Health Context: Older coverage flags new health risks on the continent, including concern around Hantavirus and what it could mean for travel and tourism. Local Life & Sports: Seychelles also saw community energy around the IP Run for Sports Innovation, linking creativity, innovation, and public awareness through sport.

Agentic AI push in the UAE: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid says the UAE Cabinet has approved the first package of government services powered by agentic AI, alongside a roles-and-responsibilities framework and a national training programme for 80,000 federal employees—plus a new AI policy for healthcare aimed at building a national AI-powered health system and training staff. Health & travel link: The same week’s coverage also flags how public health and movement intersect—EasyJet flights from Madeira are being disinsected before departure to help prevent mosquitoes being carried, a move tied to dengue control. Seychelles reef resilience: In local health-adjacent news, Seychelles reports a major coral restoration milestone: a land-based lab has reproduced corals through controlled spawning, producing nearly 800,000 embryos and 65,000 juvenile corals, as warming and El Niño strain marine life. Regional context: Seychelles is also highlighted in global “best countries” rankings, reinforcing its tourism-driven economy and opportunity for health-linked resilience planning.

Coral restoration breakthrough in Seychelles: A land-based coral lab has, for the first time in Africa and the western Indian Ocean, reproduced corals through controlled spawning—producing nearly 800,000 embryos and around 65,000 juvenile corals—as reefs face mounting stress from warming seas and extreme weather. Tourism momentum: Tourism Seychelles wrapped up its 2026 India roadshow, reporting India arrivals up nearly 75% in 2025 and pushing new travel segments from luxury holidays to weddings and MICE. Regional health travel alert: EasyJet says flights from Madeira are routinely disinsected with insecticide to stop mosquitoes being carried onboard, linked to dengue prevention. Education expansion: IMKAN Misr signed an MoU with AASTMT to allocate 45 feddans in Alburouj for a new campus, aiming to deepen education within an integrated community. Diplomacy & mobility: Israel’s ambassador to Somaliland says cooperation is expanding fast across security, energy, infrastructure, technology, education and trade after recognition in late 2025.

Education & Community Development: IMKAN Misr signed an MoU with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport to set up a new campus on 45 feddans in Alburouj, part of a 1,050-acre “Perfect Circle” plan blending homes, schools, business and leisure. Diplomacy & Health-Relevant Cooperation: Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland says ties are expanding fast across security, energy, infrastructure, technology, education, communications—and also mentions work in health and education. Tourism Momentum: Tourism Seychelles wrapped up its 2026 India roadshow, pointing to nearly 75% growth in arrivals in 2025 (about 13,400 visitors) and pushing luxury, weddings, family travel and MICE. Public Health & Travel Risk Controls: EasyJet passengers flying from Madeira may be asked to cover “eyes, nose and mouth” as flights are disinsected with insecticide to reduce mosquito spread, including dengue risk. Marine Conservation: Seychelles’ land-based coral lab reports major progress—nearly 800,000 embryos and about 65,000 juvenile corals—using controlled spawning to boost reef recovery.

Somaliland–Israel ties: Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland says cooperation is accelerating after December 2025 recognition, with plans spanning security, energy, infrastructure, technology, trade and even health and education. Tourism Seychelles push: Tourism Seychelles wrapped up its India roadshow as arrivals from India jumped nearly 75% in 2025, helped by better air links and growing demand for premium island holidays. Aviation links: Air Tanzania says direct Tanzania–Russia flights via Moscow are set to start later this year, with routes connecting Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Moscow through Seychelles. Health & travel watch: EasyJet passengers flying from Madeira may be asked to cover their eyes, nose and mouth as flights are treated with insecticide to prevent mosquito spread, including dengue. Seychelles science win: A land-based coral lab in Seychelles has reproduced corals through controlled spawning, producing nearly 800,000 embryos and about 65,000 juvenile corals—an Africa-first for reef recovery.

Aviation Deal: Air Tanzania (ATCL) says it will launch direct flights between Tanzania and Russia via Moscow later this year, with a route planned to connect Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Moscow through Seychelles—part of 12 major Tanzania–Russia agreements signed in Arusha on May 16, with more deals expected ahead of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s June visit. Tourism Push: Tourism Seychelles wrapped up a 2026 India roadshow in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, banking on strong momentum from India, where arrivals rose nearly 75% in 2025 to about 13,400. Health & Travel Watch: Seychelles-linked travel chatter also includes a reminder that some regions use insecticide disinsection on flights to limit mosquito spread (notably dengue risk), and wider Africa summit coverage that leaders are tracking new virus concerns like Hantavirus. Local Community: Seychelles marked World Intellectual Property Day with an IP Run for Sports Innovation at Roche Caïman, linking creativity and health through sport.

Sports & Innovation: The Roche Caïman fitness trail hosted the IP Run for Sports Innovation, marking World Intellectual Property Day 2026 with a mix of community energy and awareness on how creativity drives modern sport. Football Focus: Muccia took a big step toward promotion in the Seychelles Football Federation Championship League play-offs, beating Beau Vallon 5-3 in the first leg. Health & Travel Watch: EasyJet passengers flying from Madeira are being told to cover their eyes, nose and mouth as flights are sprayed with insecticide to prevent mosquitoes—linked to dengue control. Environment & Science: Seychelles’ land-based coral laboratory hit a major milestone, producing nearly 800,000 embryos and about 65,000 juvenile corals through controlled spawning. Regional Governance: Seychelles’ mayoral voice was heard at the World Mayors Dialogue in Chengdu, where cities discussed climate resilience and shared urban challenges. Ongoing Research: A Seychelles-linked health item this week also highlighted pathology work on ovarian tumors from a sub-Saharan setting.

Climate & Cities: Mayors from 26 countries met in Chengdu to trade ideas on building “clean, green, resilient” cities as climate shocks, aging populations, and safety risks mount—Victoria’s mayor, Josy Ita Michaud-Payet, highlighted that Seychelles faces the same big questions despite the distance. Health & Travel Risk: EasyJet passengers flying from Madeira are being told to cover their “eyes, nose and mouth” during a pre-takeoff insecticide spray meant to stop mosquitoes and reduce dengue risk. Seychelles Reef Breakthrough: Seychelles’ land-based coral lab has, for the first time in Africa and the western Indian Ocean, reproduced corals via controlled spawning—nearly 800,000 embryos and 65,000 juveniles so far. Regional Mobility Watch: Sri Lanka’s passport ranking fell to 94th, a reminder that travel access can shift fast. Expats & Costs: A new tax-free cost ranking puts Seychelles among the pricier options in the list, with Mauritius leading.

Travel Access Watch: Sri Lanka’s passport has slipped to 94th globally in the latest Henley Passport Index, with visa-free or similar access to 39 destinations—an update that can quickly affect work, study, migration, and conference travel for many Seychellois-linked travellers and families. Public Health at Borders: EasyJet flights leaving Madeira are being sprayed with insecticide before take-off, and some passengers are told to cover eyes, nose and mouth to prevent mosquitoes being carried—aimed at reducing dengue risk. Seychelles Health & Environment: A land-based coral laboratory in Seychelles has reached a major milestone, producing nearly 800,000 embryos and about 65,000 juvenile corals through controlled spawning, as reefs face heat stress and extreme weather. Health System Risk (Ongoing): A wider week of coverage also points to climate planning gaps—care services are still often missing from adaptation plans, even though extreme weather can disrupt health and support for vulnerable people.