The government of Seychelles has disclosed a SCR 35.5 million ($2.58 million) expenditure for its 50th anniversary of independence celebrations.
- Seychelles spent SCR 35.5 million ($2.58 million) on its 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
- Vice-President Sebastien Pillay presented the official expenditure report to the National Assembly.
- The anniversary reflects on Seychelles' history under British and French colonial rule, marking independence achieved on June 29, 1976.
- Around SCR 30 million ($2.18 million) of the budget supported local businesses through contracts for cultural events, staging, and services.
Vice-President Sebastien Pillay presented the official financial details during a session of the National Assembly.
The anniversary marks five decades of nationhood following the country's independence from Great Britain on June 29, 1976.
Seychelles reflects on colonial history under Britain and France
The Golden Jubilee was celebrated under the national theme “Nou Pep, Nou Lidantite, Nou Desten” (Our People, Our Identity, Our Destiny).
The milestone commemorates a long historical journey that saw Britain seize control of the islands from France during the Napoleonic Wars in 1794, leading to formal cession under the 1814 Treaty of Paris.
According to GeoGnos, “a British fleet of four warships commanded by Commodore Henry Newcome arrived off Mahé, demanding the immediate surrender of the islands.”
After more than 160 years of British rule, the archipelago established itself as a sovereign republic.
Seychelles directs millions toward domestic suppliers and businesses
In response to questions from Leader of the Opposition Bernard Georges, Vice-President Sebastien Pillay explained that the spending was heavily focused on supporting the domestic economy.
Out of the total budget, approximately SCR 30 million ($2.18 million) was spent locally across various categories, including cultural performances, staging, transport, decorations, and hospitality.
A total of 339 Seychellois vendors and small service providers benefited directly from the anniversary contracts.
Pillay emphasized that the financial strategy aimed to ensure the anniversary provided "opportunities for businesses to generate revenue while participating in a significant national occasion".
According to Seychelles News Agency he noted that the government specifically structured the activities to "create economic opportunities for Seychellois businesses", assisting local enterprises that had been facing reduced commercial activity.
Seychelles faces commercial slowdown as tourism revenue drops
The commercial boost from anniversary spending comes at a critical time as Seychelles experiences a broader economic slowdown caused by falling visitor numbers.
Data from the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics reveals that stopover visitor arrivals fell 11.7% during the first five months of the year, alongside steep drops in cruise passenger arrivals.
Business Insider Africa reported that "tourism is the backbone of Seychelles’ economy, supporting growth, employment, foreign exchange earnings and government revenue".
Following warnings from the International Monetary Fund, national economic growth is projected to slow sharply from 5.1% down to 1.5%.