President Wavel Ramkalawan, chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet yesterday Wednesday 2nd July, in which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.
Cabinet approved the Children (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Bill introduces key reforms aimed at strengthening the functioning of the Family Tribunal for the enforcement of Family Tribunal orders. It simplifies the enforcement procedures to ensure timely compliance with Family Tribunal Orders, expands the Tribunal’s membership to manage increased caseloads, and promotes mediation in child welfare cases. The amendments also align enforcement provisions with the Domestic Violence Act, 2020, and include funding measures to support the Tribunal’s enhanced operational capacity.
Cabinet approved the Power Procurement Plan 2025–2026, which forms part of the Seychelles Integrated Resource Plan. The Plan sets out a phased investment strategy to meet the country’s growing electricity demand while advancing national targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency. It proposes a balanced mix of power sources, including baseload thermal generation and renewable technologies such as solar PV, wind, and waste-to-energy, all supported by battery storage systems. To ensure a cost-effective and reliable power supply by 2030, the Plan adopts a diversified ownership and procurement model that includes Independent Power Producers (IPPs), public-private partnerships (PPPs), and utility-owned projects.
Cabinet approved the key policy outcomes of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Mahé’s power sector, which outlines the urgent need for a new 60MW thermal power plant by 2030 to replace aging infrastructure, maintain grid reliability, and enable the integration of variable renewable energy sources. Cabinet noted the strategic importance of achieving at least 15% renewable energy penetration by 2030 through technologies such as solar PV, onshore wind, floating solar, and waste-to-energy. It endorsed the commencement of preparatory activities, including site identification, feasibility studies, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), and mandated the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) to jointly lead the early-stage development and stakeholder engagement for the proposed investment.
Cabinet approved the establishment of a multi-sectoral Landslide Mitigation Task Force under the leadership of the Disaster and Risk Management Division to assess landslide risks, develop a national mitigation strategy, and recommend policy and regulatory measures. The Task Force will also conduct public awareness campaigns and is expected to present its initial report with recommendations and an action plan within six months.
Cabinet approved the implementation of the joint project by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a key component of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategic Action Plan (2021–2030). As part of this commitment, Cabinet affirmed the establishment and operationalisation of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which will serve as the central hub for coordinating emergency response. Cabinet also endorsed a complementary project aimed at integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and emphasised the importance of continued inter-ministerial collaboration. These initiatives are closely aligned with the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap and will enhance national disaster preparedness and resilience, building on the foundation laid by the Hydromet Project.
Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, 2020, aimed at strengthening Seychelles’ legal framework in line with international standards. The amendments cover key areas including money laundering offences, functions of the Financial Intelligence Unit, preventive measures, supervisory and enforcement mechanisms, and investigation powers. The Cabinet also endorsed consequential amendments to the schedules and provisions applicable to Virtual Asset Service Providers to ensure all relevant entities are subject to AML/CFT obligations, thereby enhancing national compliance, enforcement capability, and alignment with global best practices.
Cabinet approved the proposed legislative amendments to the Companies Act, the Beneficial Ownership Act, and the Revenue Administration Act to address the deficiencies identified in the OECD Global Forum’s 2023 Peer Review Report, with the aim of improving Seychelles’ rating under the Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR) standard. Cabinet also endorsed the commencement of a review of the legal framework governing partnerships and supported the implementation of operational and supervisory measures to strengthen compliance, enhance information exchange mechanisms, and uphold Seychelles’ international commitments to tax transparency. The proposal will be discussed with the working group of the Joint Economic Forum.
Cabinet approved amendments to the Custody, Management and Disposal of Seized, Forfeited or Confiscated Properties Act, 2021. The proposed changes include provisions to exclude certain assets from automatic transfer to the Asset Management Unit (AMU), allow the disposal of seized assets before formal forfeiture, and introduce powers for information gathering and sharing. The amendments also pave the way for online auctions and revise Section 7 of the Act to strengthen inter-agency coordination. In addition, Cabinet approved a regulatory framework for managing and disbursing funds from the Asset Recovery Fund (ARF), as outlined under Sections 11(3) and 12(2) of the Act. This includes establishing a governance panel within the Ministry of Finance and setting guidelines for victim restitution, third-party payments, and asset sharing with both domestic and international partners.
Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the excellent organisation and execution of this year’s National Day celebrations. It commended all stakeholders, including government agencies, uniformed services, cultural groups, volunteers, and members of the public, for their active participation and collaborative spirit. Cabinet acknowledged the high standard of the events, which showcased national pride, unity, and Seychelles’ rich cultural heritage. It further extended special thanks to the National Day Celebrations Committee for their dedication and professionalism in delivering a memorable and well-coordinated programme.
Relevant Ministries will provide details.
