Seychelles Delegation Showcases Digital Advancements at Digital Government Africa Summit in Lusaka
The Seychelles delegation led by the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka made a significant mark at the Digital Government Africa Summit, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 2nd to 4th, 2024. During the event, the team engaged in in-depth discussions, emphasizing Seychelles' progress in digital governance and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with African nations and global industry leaders.
Seychelles continues to establish itself as a leader in digital citizen services across Africa. An important aspect of this digital transformation is the introduction of the Seychelles Virtual ID, now available to foreign permit holders. This has further expanded digital inclusivity for its citizens. This initiative underscores the nation's commitment to making digital services accessible to all, marking another milestone in Seychelles’ digital strategy.
During the summit, Minister Fonseka, addressed one of Seychelles' key achievements in overcoming challenges related to issuing bio-metric passports for Seychellois citizens living abroad. To address these issues, Seychelles has established bio-metric passport enrollment stations at its overseas missions. While passport production remains centralized in Seychelles, this new setup ensures that quality control and efficiency are maintained while providing convenience to those abroad.
The Seychelles delegation held fruitful discussions with prominent industry leaders who specialize in cutting-edge identity solutions and electronic border control systems. Several key areas of interest were explored. Discussions also touched on electronic surveillance, border monitoring systems, and the ability to capture data from satellite phones operating within Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The team reviewed advanced encryption solutions, including those addressing the emerging field of quantum encryption, to safeguard sensitive information and communications.
The summit also introduced the Seychelles delegation to innovative biometric solutions that have the potential to improve security and data management. In addition, the summit showcased innovative tourist ID systems that could significantly benefit Seychelles' tourism sector. These solutions promise to streamline identification processes for visitors, enhancing the overall experience and supporting the nation’s thriving tourism industry.
Seychelles' participation in the Digital Government Africa Summit has solidified its role as a leader in digital governance on the continent. The insights gained and partnerships formed during the event will further strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and citizen services.
Moving forward, Seychelles is eager to explore collaborative opportunities with the companies and industry experts met at the summit. Identity solutions, cloud services, and other digital innovations discussed at the summit will be crucial as Seychelles continues to expand its technological capabilities.
The delegation also included Principal Secretary for the Department of Information, Communications and Technology (DICT) Mr. Benjamin Choppy, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Executive Director Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure and MIA IT Director Mr. Nico Isaac, expressed their appreciation for the invaluable support and insights received throughout the summit. They look forward to implementing the key learnings and exploring innovative solutions that will enhance Seychelles' digital landscape in the coming years.