VICTORIA, Mar 23, 2026 — The Office of the President has appointed three senior officials to the Cabinet Office, in a move that comes as Seychelles navigates a slowing economic outlook and ongoing reform commitments under an international programme.
Margaret Moumou continues as Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs and Head of the Civil Service, maintaining oversight of the Cabinet system and the wider public administration.
Florry Payet has been appointed Cabinet Secretary, effective February 1, 2026, with responsibility for managing the daily operations of the Cabinet Office and coordinating government policy processes. The role places Payet at the centre of efforts to ensure decisions align with legal frameworks and are implemented across ministries.
Two deputy cabinet secretaries have also been appointed to reinforce technical capacity. Alex Henderson, effective February 1, will oversee policy affairs, coordinating policy development across government and aligning proposals with national priorities. Angela Payet, effective February 26, will handle legal affairs, advising on legislative and governance matters and ensuring Cabinet procedures comply with the Constitution and applicable laws.
The changes come as the island nation faces a more challenging economic phase following a strong post-pandemic recovery. Growth, which expanded by more than five percent in 2025 on the back of tourism, is expected to slow markedly in 2026, while rising global food and fuel prices are set to push inflation higher.
Seychelles remains exposed to external shocks due to its heavy reliance on imports, with pressure mounting on foreign reserves and the current account as tourism receipts begin to ease. The government is pressing ahead with reforms under an International Monetary Fund programme aimed at strengthening public financial management and institutional frameworks, with a staff-level agreement reached last week expected to unlock about $45 million in financing.
