🇸🇨 Seychelles

Seychelles is an Indian Ocean archipelago of 115 islands with just 100,000 people and a GDP of about $2 billion. It has the highest GDP per capita in Africa at about $20,000. The country's beaches — particularly Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue — are consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful. Seychelles is home to the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO site with the world's largest population of giant tortoises (over 100,000). The coco de mer palm, found only in Seychelles, produces the world's largest seed — up to 25 kg — and its suggestive shape has made it a national symbol. The country has the smallest population of any African Union member.

Tourism (about 25% of GDP directly) and fishing (tuna — Seychelles has one of the world's largest tuna processing plants) are the twin pillars. The country's exclusive economic zone of 1.37 million square kilometers is one of the largest in the world relative to land area. France, UAE, and the UK are the main trade partners. Seychelles completed a debt restructuring in 2009 and has since been a fiscal reform success story. The country has pioneered "blue bonds" — debt instruments linked to marine conservation.

Seychelles' Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island is sometimes called the "original Garden of Eden" — it's a primeval palm forest that looks like it hasn't changed in millions of years. The country has no indigenous population — it was uninhabited until French settlers arrived in 1770. Seychelles' giant tortoises can live over 200 years — Jonathan, the world's oldest known land animal (on St. Helena, but the species is from Seychelles), is about 192 years old.

Seychelles has built a successful high-end tourism model and its marine conservation leadership is genuine. The economy is small but well-managed. Climate change and overtourism are the main risks to paradise.