Salim Mathieu: My Vision for a Stronger Seychelles Presence in Scandinavia

Strengthening Seychelles’ presence abroad is no longer a matter of prestige. It is a strategic and economic necessity for a small island nation navigating a world that is rapidly shifting in power, technology, and geopolitics. Among the regions where Seychelles stands to gain the most, Scandinavia occupies a unique place in my thinking. It is a part of the world I know personally and deeply, a place that shaped my outlook on governance, social responsibility, and long term national planning. More importantly, it is a region whose values and strengths align remarkably well with Seychelles’ aspirations for sustainable development, innovation, and global engagement.

This vision is not about symbolism. It is not about flying a flag in a distant capital and calling it diplomacy. It is about building meaningful partnerships. It is about transforming relationships into opportunities. It is about using our soft power intelligently, presenting Seychelles as a modern and capable state that can contribute to global discussions rather than simply participate in them.

Scandinavia is a region that understands smallness not as a limitation but as a competitive advantage. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland have turned size into strategy. They have used innovation, education, and long planning horizons to build societies that rank among the most prosperous and trusted in the world. For Seychelles, this is not merely admirable. It is instructive.

My vision for strengthening our presence in Scandinavia rests on a simple but powerful goal: to reposition Seychelles as a serious partner in sustainability, ocean governance, green technology, and human capital development. These are the areas where the Nordic countries have excelled for decades. They are also the areas where Seychelles has real potential to lead within the African and Indian Ocean region if we invest wisely and form the right alliances.

The first step is building a more visible and active diplomatic footprint. Seychelles does not need large embassies. What we need is strategic representation. A small but highly focused diplomatic mission in Stockholm or Copenhagen would give us access to the entire Nordic region through regional diplomatic channels, institutions, and business networks. These countries respect long term commitments and they notice when a nation shows consistency and purpose. Our presence must reflect a forward looking Seychelles that understands global dynamics and is ready to engage constructively.

The economic opportunities alone justify this move. Scandinavia is a major global hub for clean energy innovation, blue economy research, fishery management, climate technology, and advanced tourism models. The companies and institutions leading these fields are constantly looking for international partners, research sites, and test environments, especially in island states. Seychelles is perfectly positioned to benefit from this interest, but only if we create the channels that allow these relationships to grow. A stronger presence in Scandinavia would allow us to attract investments, academic partnerships, and high value collaborations that contribute to our long term development.

Cultural diplomacy must play a central role as well, because reputation is currency in Nordic societies. Our story as a peaceful, multicultural nation with strong environmental commitments resonates deeply with Scandinavian values. We should be showcasing Seychellois creativity, food, music, and craftsmanship. We should be participating in Nordic sustainability forums, ocean conferences, and academic events. We should be telling our own story with confidence rather than waiting for others to define us.

One of the areas where I see tremendous potential is youth mobility and education. Nordic universities are among the best in the world, particularly in fields that matter for Seychelles long term resilience. Marine science, renewable energy engineering, public administration, and design thinking are all disciplines where Scandinavian institutions excel. Creating structured pathways for Seychellois students to study, intern, and conduct research in these countries would create a generation of professionals capable of transforming our domestic institutions. These are practical investments in human capital that would pay off for decades.

Another opportunity lies in the Seychellois diaspora. Throughout Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Sweden, there is a small but talented community of Seychellois who have built lives, careers, and knowledge that could help Seychelles move forward. They are teachers, engineers, hospitality professionals, health specialists, youth leaders, and entrepreneurs. Many want to maintain ties with Seychelles but lack a structured mechanism for doing so. Strengthening our presence in the region would allow us to build a real diaspora network, one that identifies skills, supports Seychellois abroad, and gives them meaningful ways to contribute back home. A well coordinated diaspora strategy in Scandinavia could become a model for other regions.

My vision also includes a stronger economic identity for Seychelles within Nordic markets. Seychelles is well known for its beauty, but not enough for its products, its innovation, or its capacity to collaborate. There is room for Seychellois businesses to enter Scandinavian markets in tourism services, artisanal products, fisheries, digital services, and cultural exchanges. These partnerships require trust, and trust is built through presence, consistency, and professionalism. This is why diplomacy and economic strategy must go hand in hand.

Ultimately, this vision is rooted in the belief that Seychelles can no longer afford passive diplomacy. We cannot operate as if the world will naturally come to us simply because we are beautiful. We must go out into the world with purpose and clarity, and Scandinavia is one of the regions where that effort will be most rewarding. The Nordic countries respect nations that act with integrity and competence. They value long term partnerships. They appreciate ideas that are ambitious but grounded in realism. Seychelles can meet all of these expectations if we choose to present ourselves as a country ready to lead in the areas that matter most to our future.

My vision for a stronger Seychelles presence in Scandinavia comes from experience. I have lived between these cultures. I have seen the strengths of both worlds. I know what Seychelles can achieve when we think boldly and position ourselves intelligently. I believe that a deeper relationship with Scandinavia will not only enhance our global position. It will elevate our national capabilities, strengthen our economic resilience, and give our youth access to opportunities that match their potential.

Seychelles deserves a place in the world that reflects its talent, its values, and its ambitions. Strengthening our presence in Scandinavia is one of the most strategic pathways to achieving that future.