What if one of Seychelles’ greatest competitive advantages is not only its natural beauty, but its ability to attract international talent?
Good news for Seychelles!
A recent Business Insider Africa article highlights Seychelles among four African countries recognised in a 2026 global assessment of attractive places to live, alongside Mauritius, Botswana and another African nation.
Rather than judging countries by the size of their economies, the index considered five areas that can shape everyday life: the natural environment, taxes, the ease of obtaining residency, personal safety and freedom, and the quality of services and infrastructure.
For those of us developing Oasis Seychelles, this is more than encouraging news about the country’s international reputation. It reinforces one of the fundamental arguments behind our initiative.
Seychelles has the potential to turn its attractiveness as a place to stay for extended remote work period (months) into a strategic advantage for innovation.
Traditionally, small island economies have worried about brain drain: talented people leaving in search of better professional opportunities.
Our approach is different. We call it Brain Gravity.
Instead of focusing exclusively on where talented people reside, we ask how their expertise, networks and capabilities can be mobilised for the benefit of Seychelles.
Imagine international researchers, entrepreneurs, visiting experts and members of the Seychellois diaspora spending extended periods in a stimulating environment where they can work on their own projects while collaborating with local stakeholders.
Not conventional tourism. Not simply another destination for digital nomads.
A purpose-driven international community where Work, Learn and Play come together to create collaborative trust, new partnerships and unexpected opportunities.
This is the vision behind Oasis Seychelles, which we are working towards piloting in 2027, initially focusing on SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Seychelles already has remarkable natural appeal. Our ambition is to complement that attraction with the social, intellectual and collaborative infrastructure that transforms international presence into lasting national innovation capability.
Beautiful places attract visitors. Inspiring communities attract people who want to contribute.
That is the opportunity we see for Seychelles.
May Kairos be with you!
Ilkka Kakko
