Seychelles, COMESA launch youth entrepreneurship scheme

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe reaffirmed the
strength of the partnership between the island nation and the regional grouping.

The regional official’s visit was marked by the launch of a program designed to build the capacity of young and women entrepreneurs.

Seychelles and COMESA reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, innovation, and the economic empowerment of young people and women.

During an official visit by COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, President Patrick Herminie praised the cooperation between his country and the regional bloc. He also highlighed the projects supported by COMESA in the archipelago.

During a meeting at State House, the two officials reviewed joint initiatives in several sectors, including trade facilitation, regional connectivity, gender equality, and entrepreneurship development.

President Herminie thanked COMESA for its support, particularly through the Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Market Access Program (RECAMP), which has funded training and equipment to strengthen the Seychelles chapter of the COMESA Women’s Federation (COMFWB).

He also emphasised the importance of women and youth in national institutions, highlighting their representation in the government and the National Assembly.

On the trade front, the president noted that Seychelles launched its electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) system on June 17, becoming the sixth COMESA member state to adopt this tool designed to simplify trade.

Patrick Herminie also called for the full implementation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to better address the specific challenges faced by small island developing states within the regional bloc.

Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe presented a new regional training program for young entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Implemented through the COMFWB Incubation and Innovation Hub, this program aims to strengthen management, training, and business development skills.

According to the COMESA Secretary General, the program will focus on
promoting traditional knowledge, creating jobs for young people, and
increasing women’s economic participation.

She also outlined the key priorities of COMESA’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which is to be officially launched at the organisation’s next summit in Harare in October.

This plan will give significant weight to the priorities of island states, including regional connectivity, maritime links, maritime security, the blue economy, and combating the effects of climate change.

Addressing the issue of maritime connectivity, President Herminie stated that the development of a regional shipping route had become essential in an international context marked by tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to trade.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in the fisheries, statistics, and metrology sectors, as well as COMESA’s recent support for Seychellois institutions.

Following the meeting, Patrick Herminie and Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a partnership focused on regional integration and the creation of economic opportunities for the people of Seychelles and the entire COMESA region.

AC/Sf/fss/as/APA