Victoria, July 20, 2026. In the Seychellois capital, a new milestone has been reached for the islands' small and medium-sized enterprises. The agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) formalises the Seychelles' entry into the RECAMP — Regional Competitiveness and Market Access Programme — backed by a €8 million envelope co-financed by the European Union.
A Proven Programme Now Reaching the Seychelles
Launched in 2014 across the region, RECAMP has already supported more than 500 SMEs in COMESA member states. In 2016 alone, it accompanied 719 enterprises — exceeding its initial target of 540 beneficiaries. Building on this track record, the programme now extends to the Seychelles, one of Africa's most competitive markets: the archipelago ranks as the continent's most prosperous nation in 2026 according to the Legatum Prosperity Index.
Complementing RECAMP, a private sector assistance fund (FAPA) financed by the African Development Bank unlocks an additional $1.2 million to support Seychellois businesses in their growth journey.
Electronic Certificate of Origin: an Export Accelerator
On June 17, 2026, the Seychelles became the sixth COMESA member state to adopt the electronic certificate of origin (eCO) system. This paperless process simplifies access to the bloc's preferential markets and cuts export lead times — a critical factor for the archipelago's craft and tourism SMEs.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, speaking at the Victoria signing ceremony, stated: «We wish to encourage initiatives that generate employment while transmitting traditional skills to youth.» She also stressed the urgency of diversifying trade routes in response to «geopolitical changes affecting international transport».
Why It Matters
For the Seychelles, the stakes go well beyond €8 million. The country is betting on economic diversification — tourism, fisheries, digital services — with SMEs as its engine. Joining RECAMP opens Seychellois enterprises to the 22 markets of COMESA, a bloc of more than 640 million consumers. As the archipelago consolidates its regional economic leadership, this continental market access stands as a first-order strategic lever.
Source: Africa24 TV, COMESA / Business.OI