Sal, Republic of Cabo Verde, 20 June 2025
The third day of the Cape Verde Investment Forum 2025 marked a major step forward in the economic cooperation between Cape Verde and the European Union. During the EU–Cabo Verde Global Gateway Investment Forum, held on 20 June at the Hilton Hotel on Sal Island, specific projects and investment instruments targeting key sectors of the Cape Verdean economy were presented.
Key projects and investments
The European Union announced funding of €344 million to support projects in renewable energy, port infrastructure modernisation, and digital connectivity. Major projects include:
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Renewable Energy: Construction and modernisation of wind and solar power plants aiming to reach a 50% share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030.
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Port Infrastructure: Upgrades to ports in Palmeira (Sal), Porto Grande (São Vicente), and Porto Novo (Santo Antão) to increase capacity and improve maritime transport efficiency.
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Digital Connectivity: Introduction of a new optical cable linking Cape Verde to Europe and modernisation of mobile networks to enable digital transformation and the transition to 5G.
Public–Private Partnerships
The forum highlighted the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors. New financial instruments and guarantees were introduced to facilitate private investor access to funding for projects in green energy, digital economy, and the blue economy. Special attention was given to opportunities for SMEs, which play a key role in Cape Verde’s economic development.
Cape Verde as a Strategic EU Partner
Myriam Ferran, Vice-President of the European Commission for International Partnerships, confirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Cape Verde’s sustainable development under the Global Gateway initiative. She stressed that Cape Verde is seen as a strategic partner in the West African region and that cooperation will continue to strengthen in energy, digitalisation, and the blue economy.
Outlook
The forum concluded with a commitment to continue collaboration, focusing on the implementation and monitoring of specific projects and their impact on Cape Verde’s economic and social development. Regular assessment meetings and joint working groups by sector were proposed.
As the Czech–Cape Verdean Chamber of Commerce, we will continue to monitor these developments and inform Czech companies and our international partners about new investment opportunities in the Republic of Cabo Verde.
