AGP Executive Report

Telecom Competition: Starlink has officially entered Seychelles after a State House soft launch, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority saying it will operate under local rules to protect consumers and keep competition fair. Aviation Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines will add double-daily flights between Addis Ababa and Mahé from December 1, 2026, boosting seats and strengthening Seychelles’ links via the Star Alliance network. Maritime & Ports: Transport minister Ricardo de Abreu pushed for consolidation of maritime and port investments and partnerships, citing the sector’s role in trade and the need to implement updated maritime strategy and port-state principles. Crypto Regulation & Risk: BitMEX—owned by Seychelles-based HDR Global Trading—will shut down on 23 September 2026, with users facing a reduce-only phase and deadlines to close positions and withdraw funds. Local Finance Licensing: VCG Markets says it has secured a Seychelles licence from the Seychelles Finance Services Authority as it targets growth in emerging markets. Environment & Tourism Resilience: A coral restoration project across Mauritius and Seychelles is rebuilding damaged reef ecosystems with coastal communities at the centre, aiming to strengthen ocean recovery and protect livelihoods.

Starlink in Seychelles: The satellite internet service has moved from soft launch to operational status, with Vice-President Sebastien Pillay and the SCRA outlining the regulatory framework and positioning Starlink as a boost to connectivity quality—especially for remote islands, tourism operators, maritime businesses and schools. Airtel Money IPO: Airtel Africa says it has selected the London Stock Exchange for a planned 2026 flotation of Airtel Money, aiming to unlock value for its mobile financial services arm. Crypto market shake-up (BitMEX): BitMEX, owned by Seychelles-based HDR Global Trading, will shut down on 23 September 2026; users must close positions and withdraw funds, with a wind-down schedule and fees for accounts that retain assets. Maritime & blue economy: Angola’s transport minister defended consolidation of investments and partnerships in maritime and ports, stressing port-state principles, surveillance and infrastructure upgrades. Blue yachting emissions: Monaco’s SEA Index® extends CO₂ certification methodology across more yacht types, widening access to environmental benchmarking for the recreational fleet. Tourism connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines launches double-daily flights from Addis Ababa to Mahé from 1 December 2026, adding over 1,000 weekly seats via Star Alliance links. Regional trade & policy: WTO’s Fish Fund approved $2.2m in grants to help developing members implement the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. Seychelles business angle: G Adventures expanded its Geluxe Collection with 16 new trips, including seven coastal adventures, reflecting rising demand for active, sea-led experiences.

Crypto Market Shake-up: BitMEX, the Seychelles-registered crypto derivatives exchange that helped popularise perpetual swaps and up to 100x leverage, will shut down on 23 September 2026 (04:00 UTC). New registrations are already stopped, users must close positions and withdraw funds, and a wind-down schedule starts with reduce-only limits from 26 August. Telecom & Digital Economy: Starlink has officially entered Seychelles, with a soft launch at State House and authorisation under local rules; the service is expected to strengthen connectivity for remote areas and businesses as the government pushes digital transformation. Aviation & Tourism Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines will add double-daily flights between Addis Ababa and Mahé from 1 December 2026, boosting seats and global connections via Star Alliance. Maritime & Security: Russia urged stronger security cooperation for commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Mozambique Channel amid pirate and terrorist activity. Blue Economy & Standards: SEA Index® expanded CO₂ certification coverage for more yacht types, widening access to an environmental benchmark for the recreational yachting sector. Regional Business & Governance: SADC flagged slow progress on pooled procurement for medicines despite shortages, while also announcing an observer mission to Zambia’s August 2026 election.

Telecom Competition: Seychelles has soft-launched Starlink, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority confirming it will operate under local rules and consumer protections, adding a new satellite broadband option for households and businesses. Connectivity Boost: Ethiopian Airlines will add double-daily flights from Addis Ababa to Mahé from 1 December 2026, giving Seychelles more seats and wider global connections via Star Alliance. Maritime Investment: Angola’s transport minister said the country is consolidating maritime and port investments, updating its Merchant Navy and port laws, and pushing stronger port-state principles, surveillance and infrastructure upgrades. Crypto Market Shift: BitMEX, run by Seychelles-based HDR Global Trading, will shut down on 23 September 2026; users must close positions and withdraw funds, with earlier reduce-only limits and potential fees for missed deadlines. Blue Economy & Standards: SEA Index® expanded CO₂ certification models to cover more yacht types, extending its environmental benchmark across the recreational yachting sector. Tourism Demand: G Adventures added 16 trips to its Geluxe Collection, including seven coastal adventures aimed at active, premium shore experiences. Regional Security: Russia urged stronger security efforts in the Gulf of Aden and Mozambique Channel as pirate and terrorist-linked activity increases.

Crypto Market Shake-up: BitMEX, whose Seychelles-based owner HDR Global Trading Limited conducted a strategic review, will shut down permanently on 23 September 2026 (04:00 UTC). New registrations are already stopped, and users must close positions and withdraw funds during the wind-down; those who miss deadlines face fees and possible earlier risk limits. Connectivity Boost for Seychelles: Starlink has soft-launched in Seychelles, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority confirming it operates under local rules and will complement existing providers—aimed at improving reliability and coverage, especially for remote areas. Aviation Link to Africa: Ethiopian Airlines will add double-daily flights from Addis Ababa to Mahé from 1 December 2026, expanding seats and strengthening Seychelles’ global connections via Star Alliance. Regional Finance Regulation: Bitget, also Seychelles-based, has registered on New Zealand’s Financial Services Providers Register, covering forex, transfers and custody, and joining the ombudsman dispute scheme. Tourism & Trade Signals: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List names Praslin, Seychelles, a top pick for nature lovers, while WTO’s Fish Fund approved $2.2m in grants to help countries implement fisheries subsidies rules.

Aviation & Tourism Connectivity: Seychelles’ digital and tourism lifeline gets a boost as Ethiopian Airlines launches double-daily flights from Addis Ababa to Mahé from 1 December 2026, adding 1,000+ weekly seats via Star Alliance links. Telecom Competition: Starlink soft-launches in Seychelles, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority confirming it operates under local rules—aiming to improve reliability and reach for remote islands and businesses. Crypto & Financial Risk: Seychelles-based BitMEX (HDR Global Trading Limited) will permanently shut down on 23 September 2026; users get 61 days to close positions and withdraw before penalties, with an earlier risk-limit deadline. Regulated Crypto Expansion: Bitget registers as a New Zealand Financial Services Provider, covering forex, transfers and custody, and joining the ombudsman dispute scheme—signalling deeper TradFi integration. Seychelles Business & Markets: Air Seychelles signs to lease two Airbus A321XLRs, with first delivery expected in 2028 to extend network reach beyond the regional footprint. Sustainability in Yachting: SEA Index® expands CO₂ certification coverage across more yacht types, including smaller vessels and multihulls, broadening access to environmental benchmarking. Trade & Governance: WTO Fish Fund approves $2.2m in grants to help members implement fisheries subsidies rules, supporting reporting, data and regulatory upgrades. Regional Security & Justice: Eastern African prosecutors begin coordinated training to tackle crypto-related crime, focusing on cross-border cases and court-ready virtual asset handling. Energy Reliability: Cyprus activates rotating load-shedding with detailed geographic groupings as demand outstrips capacity.

Satellite Connectivity: Starlink has soft-launched in Seychelles, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority confirming it will operate under local rules and compete alongside existing providers—aimed at improving reliability and coverage for remote areas, tourism and businesses. Telecom Finance: Airtel Africa has picked the London Stock Exchange for a planned 2026 IPO of Airtel Money, targeting the second half of the year as it seeks to unlock value in its mobile money unit. Crypto & Regulation: Bitget has registered as a Financial Services Provider on New Zealand’s FSPR, extending its push from digital assets into traditional services like forex and cross-border transfers, with an ombudsman dispute channel. Crypto Risk Management: Seychelles-based BitMEX will shut down on Sept. 23, with trading winding down earlier and customers urged to withdraw before deadlines. Tourism & Travel: G Adventures added 16 trips to its Geluxe Collection, including seven new coastal adventures built around active exploration and local connections. Fisheries Trade: The WTO Fish Fund approved $2.2m in grants to help developing members implement the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. Regional Justice: Eastern African prosecutors began training in Nairobi to strengthen cross-border crypto crime investigations and court-ready cases.

Satellite Connectivity & Telecom Competition: Starlink has soft-launched in Seychelles, with the Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority confirming it will operate under local rules—aiming to boost reliable, affordable broadband for remote areas and businesses while keeping fair competition. Crypto-to-TradFi Expansion: Seychelles-based Bitget has registered as a Financial Services Provider in New Zealand, covering forex, money transfers and custody, and joining the local ombudsman dispute scheme as it widens its regulated services. Range-Bound Trading Tools: Zoomex rolled out Contract Grid, an automated strategy built for sideways crypto markets, targeting returns from price movement within set ranges. Tourism & Travel Demand: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List put Praslin, Seychelles among the top trending islands, while G Adventures added 16 coastal trips to its Geluxe Collection (now 82), leaning into active, coast-focused experiences. Regional Security & Justice: Eastern African prosecutors began training in Nairobi to improve investigation and court handling of crypto-related financial crime, including cross-border cases. Aviation Growth: Air Seychelles signed a lease for two Airbus A321XLRs, with delivery expected in 2028 to extend network reach. Maritime Crime Warning: A report highlights how unregistered vessels and high-seas smuggling threaten East Africa’s coast, including major drug seizures linked to regional coordination involving Seychelles.

Digital Connectivity: Starlink has soft-launched in Seychelles after receiving an ISP licence in February, with the service now operational across the archipelago’s 115 islands—aiming to improve reliability and coverage for remote communities, tourism operators, maritime businesses, schools and enterprises. Energy & Cost Pressures: Cyprus has started rotating load-shedding with 30-minute power cuts across dozens of pre-designated groups, as demand outstripped generation capacity—an example of how grid stress can quickly spill into daily business operations. Tourism Signals: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List puts Praslin, Seychelles among the standouts (Best for Nature Lovers), a boost for destination marketing and travel demand planning. Regional Governance: SADC announced an Electoral Observation Mission to Zambia for the 13 August 2026 general election, with observer training and mission launch dates set for early August. Crypto & Fraud Risk: Three men jailed in London for a fake-police crypto scam that stole over £4m from eight victims, including spending linked to luxury travel—another reminder for Seychelles-based fintech and consumers to tighten scam defenses. Blue Economy & Agriculture: Seychelles and Indonesia’s Berau are exploring candlenut cultivation on post-mining lands to rehabilitate degraded sites while creating long-term income. Business & Finance Tech: Excent Capital partnered with BridgeWise to offer free AI-powered market analysis on its platform, pushing more accessible research tools for traders. Visa Mobility: Henley Passport Index updates show Kenya’s passport rising in East Africa, while multiple countries publish 2026 visa-free lists—useful for regional travel planning and tourism flows.

Connectivity & Competition: Starlink has soft-launched in Seychelles, with Vice-President Sebastien Pillay saying the service is now operational after the government granted an ISP licence in February, aiming to improve reliability and coverage for remote islands, tourism operators, maritime businesses, schools and enterprises. Power Reliability: Cyprus activated a rotating load-shedding plan with 30-minute cuts across grouped areas in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca–Famagusta, plus separate grouping for Paphos, as demand outstripped generation capacity. Visa & Mobility: Nigerians can now travel to 44 countries without the usual visa process, including Seychelles, under a mix of visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa rules. Local Economy & Land Rehab: Berau and Seychelles are exploring candlenut cultivation on former coal mining lands, using the crop to rehabilitate degraded soils while generating long-term income. Digital Finance & Trading: Excent Capital partners BridgeWise to offer free AI-powered market analysis on its platform, while Zoomex promotes grid trading designed to profit in sideways markets. Blue Economy Links: A review of India–Seychelles outcomes from PM Modi’s June visit highlights cooperation across development finance, digital payments, maritime work and agriculture. Tourism Spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List places Praslin, Seychelles among top nature-focused island picks.

Visa Policy Watch: Panama published a 2026 visa-free list for nine African countries, including Seychelles, with a three-month stay limit. Local Finance & Trading Tech: Excent Capital partnered with BridgeWise to offer free AI-powered market analysis on its Seychelles-based platform. Digital Finance in Focus: A Seychelles fintech explainer argues the island’s edge is using digital finance to connect a dispersed economy and reduce tourism-linked risks. Forex Regulation: A guide looks at Seychelles-regulated forex brokers in 2026, stressing traders now compare execution quality, pricing and support—not just licensing. SeyRe Global Leadership: SeyRe Global promoted Dinesh Salgadu to COO, following earlier CFO and CEO appointments. Crypto Crime Spillover: UK courts jailed three men over a £4m fake-police crypto scam, a reminder of fraud risks for investors. Blue Economy Angle: Analysis of India–Seychelles outcomes highlights blue economy cooperation in maritime, digital payments and agriculture. Tourism & Connectivity: Seychelles-linked travel policy news also surfaced via visa-free updates across multiple countries.

Aviation & Tourism Connectivity: The Maldives and Ethiopia signed a bilateral air services agreement to enable scheduled direct flights, with Ethiopian Airlines and Maldivian Airlines able to operate services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives—expected to boost tourism, business travel and trade. Regional Mobility: Russia expanded visa-free travel with African partners, now including Seychelles among 17 countries eligible for short stays, as Moscow pushes deeper ties across trade, education and security. Seychelles Tourism Spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows Praslin, Seychelles, among the fastest-rising island destinations, with global island searches up 55% year-on-year. Blue Economy & Diplomacy: A report on PM Modi’s Seychelles visit highlights 19 bilateral outcomes across development finance, digital payments and maritime cooperation, pointing to opportunities to strengthen Seychelles’ blue economy resilience. Digital Finance: A Seychelles-focused analysis argues digital finance can help modernise the country’s financial services and reduce tourism-linked vulnerabilities. Security & Trade Risks: East Africa’s coast faces growing smuggling threats, with a major seizure of 1,024kg of crystal meth linked to high-seas networks coordinating via satellite phones. Tourism Development Link: Seychelles’ interest in Indonesia’s Pemapak hot springs is being explored to grow nature-based tourism and visitor numbers through partnerships and investment. Private Sector Regional Trade: PACCI elected Tanzania’s Vincent Minja as East Africa vice president, with Seychelles included in the regional representation for 2026–2028.

Visa Access Watch: Spain’s 2026 visa-free list for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180) includes Seychelles, plus Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia and Rwanda—while South Africa is left out. Regional Trade & Business: Tanzania’s PACCI East Africa vice president Vincent Minja was elected to represent 14 countries including Seychelles, aiming to boost intra-African trade and investment. Seychelles in Global Mobility: Panama also published a 2026 visa-free list that includes Seychelles, allowing up to three months. Markets & Trading Tech: Excent Capital partnered with BridgeWise to offer free AI-powered market analysis on its Seychelles-based trading platform. Crypto Security: UK courts jailed three men for a £4m+ “fake police” crypto scam that tricked victims into transferring funds to bogus “secure police accounts.” Blue Economy Angle: A review of PM Modi’s Seychelles visit highlights 19 bilateral outcomes across development finance, digital payments and maritime cooperation. Tourism & Community: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Praslin schools to teach coral restoration and responsible reef tourism.

Digital Finance & Regulation: A new analysis looks at how Seychelles is using digital finance to connect its dispersed islands and modernise its established financial services sector, while noting growth is expected to moderate as tourism demand softens. Forex Market Watch: A guide explains what traders should know about Seychelles-regulated forex brokers in 2026, with readers urged to look beyond regulation toward execution quality, fee clarity and risk tools. AI Trading Partnerships: Excent Capital says it has partnered with BridgeWise to add free, AI-powered market analysis to its platform for all traders. Reinsurance Leadership: SeyRe Global promotes Dinesh Salgadu to COO, following earlier senior appointments including a new CFO and CEO. Tourism & Travel Access: Seychelles is listed among countries getting visa-free entry to Spain for short stays from 2026, and Romania’s visa exemption list also includes Seychelles. Business & Trade Context: A separate report flags how trade deficits can worsen when “non-essential” imports rise, with public purchases driving the gap. Crypto Fraud Alert: UK courts jailed three men for a £4m crypto scam that used fake police calls and websites—another reminder for consumers to treat “account safety” requests as a red flag.

Crypto Crime in the UK: Three men, including Anthony Ikenwe, Hamza Bashir and Kevin Nwamma, have been jailed for a £4m-plus cryptocurrency scam that impersonated police to trick eight victims into handing over account details and transferring funds to fake “secure” police accounts. The gang built convincing police-style websites, laundered proceeds through complex wallet and payment-card chains, and splurged on luxury cars, designer clothes and holidays. Seychelles Business & Finance: Seychelles-regulated forex brokers are positioning for growing retail demand, but traders are increasingly judging platforms on execution quality, fee transparency and risk tools—not just licensing. Seychelles Corporate Moves: SeyRe Global promotes Dinesh Salgadu to COO, following earlier senior appointments including Shahina Chattun as CFO and Vanida Pillay as CEO. Tourism & Travel Access: Spain expands 2026 visa-free entry for short stays (up to 90 days) to eight African nations including Seychelles, aiming to cut travel friction for tourism and business. Marine Education: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Praslin’s Vijay International School, training young students on coral reef threats and restoration methods.

Seychelles Forex Regulation: Seychelles-regulated forex brokers are positioning for a growing retail trading audience, but readers are urged to compare execution quality, fee transparency, risk tools and customer support—not just licensing. SeyRe Global Leadership: Seychelles Reinsurance Global promotes Dinesh Salgadu to COO, following recent senior appointments including Shahina Chattun as CFO and Vanida Pillay as CEO. Crypto Market Updates: Bitget rolls out GetAgent AI Briefing to summarise crypto and US equities in one daily view, while BitMart reports H1 2026 resilience amid a volatile market cycle. UK Crypto Fraud Crackdown: Three men jailed in London for a £4m crypto scam that used fake police websites to trick victims into transferring funds, with proceeds spent on luxury cars, Rolexes and holidays including the Seychelles. Travel Policy Watch: Spain expands visa-free access for short stays (up to 90 days) to eight African countries including Seychelles, while Romania, Montenegro and Russia publish their own 2026 visa-free lists. Tourism & Mobility: Seychelles targets 15,000 Indian arrivals in 2026, and Aeroflot resumes flights to Seychelles.