VICTORIA, Seychelles — President Patrick Herminie delivered a national address to the National Assembly on Friday evening outlining a comprehensive package of economic protection measures in response to the ongoing Middle East conflict, warning that visitor arrivals have declined by approximately 40 percent due to disruptions affecting Emirates and other airlines that operate through the region, and announcing that fuel prices at the pump will increase by R1, from R20.92 to R21.92 per litre as of Monday April 13, 2026. The President described the situation as remaining “critical” despite a two-week ceasefire announcement and said Seychelles would continue to feel the impacts of the conflict even after it ends.
The address carries profound significance for every Seychellois household and business, as the measures announced will directly affect daily life, from the cost of fuel and transport to the financial conditions facing employers, workers, and businesses that depend on tourism. With four months of foreign exchange reserves in place and the financial system continuing to function normally, the President sought to reassure the public while making clear that the government is prepared to take more difficult steps if the global situation worsens.
Among the key measures announced, the President said government ministries will encourage public service employees to work from home where possible to reduce fuel consumption, reduce traffic congestion, and lower electricity consumption across government offices without affecting service delivery. An Emergency Cabinet Committee has been established to coordinate and monitor fuel stocks, essential commodity prices, shipping movements, visitor arrivals, and overall economic activity, ensuring that government decisions remain informed and timely, according to the President. To support businesses, the government will introduce targeted tax relief, flexible payment plans, faster VAT reimbursements, and allow employers to defer pension contributions for three months until the end of June without penalties. Enterprises in Enterprise Seychelles Agency-administered spaces will benefit from a 50 percent rent reduction for three months, with the same measure applying to Craft Village tenants, and the government is exploring temporary loan moratoriums and overdraft facilities for businesses through commercial banks.
The tourism sector, which was on track for record visitor arrivals earlier in the year, has been the first to feel the crisis acutely. Air Seychelles has been directed to operate flights to Europe to sustain the tourism industry and is renting a larger aircraft to bring in more visitors from Europe. Discussions are underway with Aeroflot, which is due to stop flying to Seychelles next month, to extend its service until September, and negotiations are ongoing with Air Tanzania and Air Austral as potential new airline partners. The government is also exploring options to hire a container vessel to ensure adequate essential commodity supplies and is reinforcing supply chains across Africa, Mauritius, Asia, and Europe, with the President saying he will personally travel to a number of partner countries to consolidate agreements.
On food security, the President said the national committee on food security has been re-established to help increase agricultural production, with the Seychelles Trading Company instructed to buy all additional products that farmers produce locally. Subsidies on animal feed are being introduced to encourage more meat production, and discussions are underway on a mechanism to purchase surplus fish from fishers. The President also confirmed that there will be no increase in electricity tariffs at this stage. He commended Air Seychelles employees for maintaining connectivity and repatriating Seychellois stranded in conflict zones, as well as diplomats and diaspora members who assisted in those repatriation efforts.
Closing his address, President Herminie appealed to all Seychellois for solidarity, unity, and discipline, urging households and businesses to avoid unnecessary expenses, reduce personal travel, avoid importing non-essential items, and prioritise locally produced goods where possible, concluding with the message: “Let solidarity guide us, let unity strengthen us, let discipline reinforce our actions. Together, we will protect stability, living means, and the future of our nation.”
The national address marked one of the most significant government economic communications in recent years, signalling that while Seychelles remains stable, the path ahead will require collective resolve and responsible action from every corner of the country.
