The United States established diplomatic relations with Seychelles in 1976, following Seychelles’s independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Seychelles enjoy a history of partnership and cooperation based on shared priorities. In the Indian Ocean region, the two countries work together to promote maritime security, combat drug and other forms of trafficking, and protect the environment.
Seychelles is a small island nation in the Western Indian Ocean with a population of 107,000 and an exclusive economic zone of 1.37 million square kilometers. A major tourist destination, Seychelles enjoys the highest per capita GDP in Africa. However, Seychelles’s tourism- and fishing-based economy is vulnerable to piracy and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. The government of Seychelles has therefore entered into several agreements with international partners, including the United States, to protect its territory and highly developed economy.
U.S. Assistance to Seychelles
U.S. foreign assistance to Seychelles has focused on maritime security, including training and equipment for Seychelles coast guard, military, and police. The United States also provides exchange programs for promising leaders and professionals. Seychelles welcomes local U.S.-led education and training opportunities for all its people and benefits from U.S. public diplomacy programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. donated tens of thousands of vaccine doses as well as personal protective equipment.
Bilateral Economic Relations
In 2021, Seychelles imported $10 million in goods from the U.S., and exported $9 million in goods to the U.S. Seychelles is no longer eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), having achieved high income status.
Membership in International Organizations
Seychelles and the United States belong to several of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Health Organization. Seychelles is a full-fledged member of the World Trade Organization
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. does not have a full-time diplomatic presence in Seychelles. The U.S. Ambassador to Seychelles is resident in Mauritius; principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List under Mauritius. Embassy Port Louis officers travel frequently to Seychelles ensuring we have a robust part-time presence.
Seychelles has no embassy in Washington, DC; its permanent representative to the United Nations in New York is also accredited as Ambassador to the United States. Seychelles Consulate General – 685 Third Avenue – Suite 1107 – 11th Floor – New York, NY10017 Phone: 212 972 1785
Additional information about Seychelles is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Seychelles Page
U.S. Virtual Presence Post
USAID Africa Page
History of U.S. Relations With Seychelles
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information
Original source can be found here.
