US-based firm, Black Ostrich Ventures has raised a $20 million fund to invest in cleantech, supply chain, agritech, and edtech in Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco, and Uganda.
Source: Africa News Agency
IDC receives green light to dredge sand for Seychelles’ stockpile
Seychelles authorities have approved a class two environment impact assessment (EIA) that will allow for the extraction of sand that is managed by the state-owned Islands Development Company (IDC) to replenish its depleted stockpile of 500 cubic metres.
The announcement was made by the chief executive of IDC, Glenny Savy, in a recent press conference.
"Now that all the administrative work has been carried out, we expect the dredger to be in the country in January to February next year," said Savy, who added that the venture will cost IDC around $4 - $4.5 million to complete, but that it will recoup its expenses through the sale of sand.
Seychelles' sand stockpile is situated at Ile du Port, a man-made island, and dredging was undertaken by Jan De Nul's Cristobal Colon dredger, which last visited the island nation in 2011.
Since the site identified after the last dredging has been given to companies for the fishing port development, the new site will be located at Ile Aurore, a man-made island in the north of Mahe, the main island.
The Ministry of Environment identified two sites for the extraction work, one in the west of Mahe and the other close to Silhouette, the third largest island.
"There was no need for a class one EIA this time around, but we have carried out a class two, which takes into account facts established in the first study," explained Savy.
Local contractor, Ecosol carried out the independent class two environmental impact assessment.
The authorities later settled on the works to mainly take place near Silhouette, which Savy said that is because "the quality of sand we will be extracting from there is of good quality."
He explained that the sand due to be extracted is not like what is found on the beaches, as it contains quartz and gravel as it was found in the past that there were rivers in those areas in the past.
Once the dredging work is completed, IDC will replenish the stock to around 500 – 600 cubic metres, which expects to be enough to cater to consumers' needs for the coming 10 years.
Savy revealed that the authorities should begin to look for a more permanent location to keep the stockpile in the future.
Meanwhile, since IDC has been managing the stockpile over the last decade, Savy said he believed his company has been doing a good job, as "there have not been any complaints, I think people were satisfied with what we were giving them."
Source: Seychelles News Agency
Comoros will organise the Indian Ocean Island Games in 2027
Comoros will organise the next Indian Ocean Island Games in 2027 followed by Maldives in 2031, according to an announcement made during the meeting of the International Games Committee (CIJ) on Thursday.
The committee will be writing to the Olympic Committee of Comoros and the country's government to request formal confirmation.
Meanwhile, Seychellois swimmer Simon Bachmann won his third gold medal on the final day of the swimming competition in the Indian Ocean Island Games on Wednesday to bring the Seychelles tally to nine gold medals.
Bachmann took first spot in the men's 400m individual medley in 4 minutes 58.90 seconds. In second place was a swimmer from Reunion, Jean-Baptiste Bernet, followed by Mauritian Marc Tranquille.
The Seychelles swimming team also won one silver medal and four bronze.
Team Seychelles' Amos Ferley won silver in the men's 50 lm freestyle and the bronze came from Felicity Passon in the 50m freestyle, Sofia Frichot in 800m freestyle, and Angelina Smythe in the 400m medley.
In the Handi-Sport duo, Richard Sophola and Rossie Coralie earned Seychelles first medals in the event by each grabbing a silver in the shot put event on the second day of the athletics competition.
In volleyball, the Seychelles women's team reached the final that will take place on Sunday after defeating Reunion 3-0 on Thursday. They will face the winner of the semi-final between Mauritius and Madagascar.
The Seychelles men's team will be up against Madagascar in the semi-final on Thursday.
At the end of the sixth day of the IOIG, Seychelles has 67 medals - 9 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze.
Madagascar still leads with 195 medals - 83 gold, 51 silver and 61 bronze, followed by Mauritius and Reunion.
Source: Seychelles News Agency
New political party: Seychelles United Movement registered
"Reform, Prosperity and Unity" is the theme that the newly registered political party - Seychelles United Movement (SUM) - will work under if it is successful in the country's next elections in 2025.
The registration ceremony of the Seychelles United Movement was held at the office of the Seychelles Electoral Commission on Friday after an intensive three-month process. The SUM is now the seventh registered political party in Seychelles.
"We believe that a number of reforms are needed in order for the country to flourish, and we are proposing reforms in the economy, health, social and education sectors," the president of SUM, Maarco Francis, a prominent businessman, told SNA.
He said, "In 2020, the people voted for a change, expecting reforms, but that has not happened, with the current government running the country the same way as their predecessors did."
Francis explained that one of the first things his party will do if elected is to fix the retirement age, where there will be one universal retirement age for all citizens, regardless of their status.
He added that the party which is more a movement rather than a political party, was officially registered on August 25, after an "intensive three-month process."
"We had only one objection towards our registration, which came of the United Seychelles party, who claimed that our name would confuse supporters as it is similar, but that was rejected and our registration was approved," Francis explained.
SUM party seen here with members of the Electoral Commission, will participate in both the 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections. (Seychelles United Movement) Photo License: CC-BY
Francis said that the SUM will participate in both the 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections and that the party wants the country to look forward rather than the past.
"Our movement envisions a Seychelles where every citizen can thrive, where opportunities are accessible to all, and where our nation's potential is fully realised," he added.
During the interview with SNA, the SUM also explained that they want to create a clear separation between the legislators and the executive and the need to revise the Seychelles Constitution, to make it centred more around the people rather than politicians.
In a press statement after it was registered, Edouard Anacoura, the secretary general, said "We are thrilled that the Seychelles United Movement has been officially registered as a political party marking a significant milestone in our journey to a better Seychelles."
Anacoura added that "Our Movement envisions a Seychelles, where every citizen can thrive, where opportunities are accessible to all, and where our nation's potential is fully realised. By addressing the challenges in these critical areas, we aim to create an environment, that nurtures growth, fosters inclusivity, and ensures the well-being of every Seychellois."
The other six registered political parties in Seychelles are the ruling party - Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, the leading opposition party - United Seychelles - as well as One Seychelles, Linyon Sanzman, Lafors Sosyal Demokratik, and Independent Conservative Union Seychelles.
Source: Seychelles News Agency