Seychelles is set to strengthen its social housing programme after signing a grant agreement with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
The agreement is worth about US$8.7m.
It will support the construction of new housing units for low-income families and help address growing housing demand in the country.
President Dr. Patrick Herminie witnessed the signing during the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The document was signed by Finance Minister Pierre Laporte on behalf of the Seychelles government.
It was also signed by Mohammed Saif Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
The project aims to improve living standards and social welfare by expanding access to affordable housing. It also seeks to support balanced urban development and population distribution.
Under the programme, 80 housing units will be built at Orchid Village. These will include 32 two-room units and 48 three-room units, all fitted with essential facilities and infrastructure.
The development will be spread across 10 residential blocks, each containing eight units. Construction work will include connections to electricity, water, and sewage networks. It will also include the creation of outdoor and communal spaces.
According to the project outline, the housing scheme is designed to provide a safe and functional living environment for residents.
According to The grant reflects continued cooperation between Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in supporting national development priorities such as housing.
Several senior officials attended the signing ceremony. They included Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Minister Barry Faure, Seychelles’ Ambassador to the UAE Gervais Moumou, and the UAE Ambassador to Seychelles Ahmed Saeed Rashed Alhumaid Alneyad.
On the sidelines of the event, President Herminie also met Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan to review Seychelles’ participation in the summit and discuss ongoing development cooperation and economic initiatives.