In his inaugural State of the Nation Address, Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie has laid out a bold vision. Dr. Nirmal Shah (Special Advisor) explores how this roadmap shifts the focus to shared prosperity centred on citizen health, education for all, social equity, transparency, and environmental resilience
This year’s address carries historic weight, coinciding with our nation’s 50th anniversary of independence.
What does SONA 26 contain? In one sentence: it is the new Government’s agenda for shared prosperity, centred on citizen health, education for all, social equity, transparency, and environmental resilience.
The nation is grappling with a polycrisis, not just temporary headwinds, and a change in course is overdue. But as shared values fracture globally and the future of the world grows increasingly volatile, which country can we actually look to for inspiration or good examples?
Some people accuse the chosen approach as a retreat into the old welfare state. SONA 26 lays out the policy direction: “Support must be a bridge, not a destination.” And unequivocally, “From welfare to workforce is now our new motto.”
The SONA didn’t just mention the natural environment, it redefined our relationship to it stating:
“Our oceans, our forests, our reefs, and our islands are not simply natural assets; they are the foundation of our economy, our identity, and our survival as a small island nation.”
This marks a historic shift, explicitly linking our natural capital to socio-economic resilience and identity.
The roadmap has been launched. Success will now require two things: sustainable resource mobilization and shared understanding and commitment.
Read the SONA here: https://statehouse.gov.sc/speeches/6734/state-of-the-nation-address-2026?
Dr Nirmal Shah