On September 17, 2024, UNDP Seychelles joined representatives from the Government of Seychelles, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and key local stakeholders for a national consultative workshop. The workshop focused on developing the Seychelles National African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Implementation Strategy.

Throughout the one-day event, participants were introduced to the AfCFTA implementation process and explored the opportunities and potential impacts of trading with African partners under AfCFTA. Stakeholders collaborated to establish a timeline and identify key milestones for finalizing the Seychelles National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. This workshop marks the first of three planned sessions aimed at equipping the National Committee and private sector representatives with critical knowledge on trade and investment rules, instruments, and procedures tied to AfCFTA, to accelerate the agreement’s implementation.
 
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Mr Ricky Barbe emphasized that the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy will align closely with Seychelles' National Development Strategy, which underscores the need for a conducive trade environment and enhanced local productivity.

Ms. Sujitha Sekharan, Programme and Operations Specialist for the UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Multi-country Office, acknowledged the contributions of UNECA and GIZ, highlighting their expertise in research, analytics, and sustainable economic development, as well as their efforts to strengthen private sector trade capacities for smooth AfCFTA integration.