- A majority of Seychellois see the economic and political influence of India (55%) and China (53%) on their country as “somewhat positive” or “very positive” (Figure 1).
- Fewer welcome the influence of the AU (45%), the EU (45%), SADC (43%), Britain (39%), and the United States (35%). But positive assessments far exceed negative ones, while large proportions – ranging up to 53% – decline to offer an assessment.
- Only 23% of respondents see Russia’s influence as positive, while 25% describe it as negative.
- A growing share of citizens say that China’s economic activities have “some” or “a lot” of influence on Seychelles’ economy, rising from 41% in 2022 to 48% in 2025. Over the same period, the proportion who view China’s economic and political influence as positive increased by 20 percentage points (Figure 2).
- Awareness of the war between Russia and Ukraine is nearly universal among Seychellois: More than nine in 10 citizens (94%) have heard of the war (Figure 3).
- o Of these, an overwhelming majority (92%) favour taking a neutral stance on the war (Figure 4).
A majority of Seychellois view the economic and political influence of India and China on their country as positive, while fewer welcome the influence of other foreign powers, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows.
In particular, favourable perceptions of China’s influence on Seychelles have increased significantly in recent years.
Positive assessments also far outweigh negative ones when it comes to the influence of the United States, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), though many respondents offer neutral assessments or say they “don’t know.”
Most Seychellois are aware of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and overwhelmingly think Seychelles should remain neutral rather than support either side.