Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan received the first shot of his COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday to become Africa's first head of state to receive the jab.

Ramkalawan received the Chinese-manufactured SinoPharm COVID-19 vaccine in a publicized event in Victoria to kickstart the Indian Ocean archipelago’s mass vaccination drive.

The 59-year-old took the opportunity to rally the country of around 97,000 people to unite in the fight to stop further spread of the virus.

"It's exactly as if I was getting any vaccine," he said, urging Seychellois to get the injection.

Former president Danny Faure also received his first jab alongside the incumbent as a show of his support for the country's fight against the virus.

By Sunday, Seychelles had reported 531 COVID-19 cases with one death.

The commencement of Seychelles' vaccination drive comes a day after Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the island country as part of his Africa visit.

The country's fight against COVID-19 was boosted with a donation of 100 thousand face masks from the Chinese businesses community earlier this week.