The European Union and Cabo Verde

The EU–Cabo Verde Special Partnership, established in 2007, promotes continuous political dialogue and elevates the relationship from donor-beneficiary to a broader partnership based on shared interests. It is the only such EU partnership with an African country and is structured around six pillars:
(i) Good governance; (ii) Security/stability; (iii) Regional integration; (iv) Technical and regulatory convergence; (v) Knowledge society; (vi) Poverty reduction and development.
In 2017, three additional areas were added:

(vii) Investment, growth and jobs; (viii) Ocean governance and blue economy; (ix) Public administration reform.

Mobility Partnership

Signed in 2008, it provides a framework for political dialogue and cooperation on migration, including visa facilitation and a readmission agreement. Since 2021, a Joint Visa Centre—an EU initiative led by Portugal with Belgium and Luxembourg—has processed visa applications from 19 European countries.

Recent highlights include

• Cabo Verde’s selection in late 2023 for the first group of 40 EU–Africa flagship projects under the Global Gateway strategy;
• Increased joint maritime surveillance operations;
• Participation in the Schuman Forum on Security and Defence;
• Renewal of the Fisheries Partnership Protocol (2024–2029).

The EU remains Cabo Verde’s main trading partner, accounting for over 80% of its total trade—reaching EUR 734 million in 2019. Europe is also Cabo Verde’s top export market, absorbing 97.1% of its exports, mainly fish preparations and preserves.

GSP+ Scheme

International trade is vital for Cabo Verde’s economic development. Under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), the EU grants duty-free access for Cape Verdean products. This benefit is based on Cabo Verde’s adherence to international conventions on human rights, labour rights, good governance, and environmental protection. Cabo Verde is the only African GSP+ beneficiary and has ratified all 27 relevant UN conventions since joining in 2014.

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement

The EU–Cabo Verde Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement benefits both parties by promoting responsible, sustainable fishing in Cape Verdean waters and reducing illegal and overfishing. In July 2024, a new protocol was signed, valid for five years (2024–2029). Under this protocol, 56 EU vessels may fish for tuna and similar species in Cabo Verde’s waters. In return, the EU will provide Cabo Verde with a total contribution of EUR 3.9 million (EUR 780,000/year). Of this, EUR 430,000 annually will support sustainable fisheries management, including enhanced monitoring, fish stock development, blue economy initiatives to boost growth and employment, and support for local fishing to ensure sustainable supply and development. EU vessels will also pay an estimated EUR 600,000 per year.

The full text of the 2024–2029 Fisheries Protocol between the EU and Cabo Verde is available at the following link: European Commission – Cabo Verde Fisheries Agreement

Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway strategy is a European Commission initiative aimed at mobilising new investments to support the sustainable development of partner countries in areas such as digitalisation, energy, and transport, as well as strengthening health, education, and research systems worldwide.

Through the new financial instrument for neighbourhood, development, and international cooperation—“Global Europe”—the European Union, its Member States (including their implementing agencies and public development banks), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), acting together as Team Europe, are committed to engaging the private sector to drive local value creation, sustainable growth, and job creation.

In September 2024, the Government of Cabo Verde, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank signed two new financing agreements totaling EUR 300 million to support strategic sectors in Cabo Verde: digital, ports, and renewable energy.

Renewable Energy
A Team Europe package of EUR 159 million, provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Union, and Luxembourg, will support Cabo Verde’s energy sector.

The financing will fund the design and construction of electricity generation, grid, and storage infrastructure through 2029. The investment aligns with Cabo Verde’s National Electricity Master Plan (2018–2040) and aims to reduce the country’s dependence on costly and polluting fossil fuels by 2040. It will also deliver new storage capacity for electricity generated from renewable sources.

This support is aligned with Cabo Verde’s renewable energy targets—to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030—as well as with EU policies and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

Digital
A EUR 37 million investment will strengthen Cabo Verde’s digital connections, helping the country become a digital hub for West Africa. The European Union is facilitating the operation by mobilising financial guarantees from the European Investment Bank.

The funding will support a new state-of-the-art submarine cable system linking Europe to the West African coast. It will also finance the replacement and upgrade of the domestic fibre optic submarine cable connecting Cabo Verde’s islands, enhancing functionality and efficiency.

This project is expected to deliver significant socio-economic benefits for Cabo Verde and the broader West African region—particularly through improved digital connectivity for the local private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative will foster innovation and support the creation of highly skilled jobs in Cabo Verde, positioning the country as a digital convergence point between Africa, Europe, and South America.

Port Infrastructure Modernisation

A EUR 105 million investment will support the expansion and modernisation of key port infrastructure in Cabo Verde.

The European Union, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, will provide this funding to the Cape Verdean State for upgrades to several strategic ports, including Porto Grande in Mindelo (São Vicente), Porto Novo (Santo Antão), and Porto da Palmeira (Sal).

In addition to extending breakwaters and docking piers, the project will include the installation of essential infrastructure that enables private sector investment in nautical sports facilities, such as marinas, to support Cabo Verde’s growing blue economy and marine tourism sector.

This investment is part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s transport network and economic resilience by modernising critical infrastructure and creating new opportunities for private-sector-led growth in port-related industries.

The EU has actively contributed to the development of Cabo Verde’s blue economy, promoting sustainable economic growth and strengthening sectors such as trade, employment, science, biodiversity, and maritime security.

International ocean governance, blue economy, and maritime spatial planning are increasingly priorities for the EU’s external action.

Due to its unique geographic position, Cabo Verde is a valuable EU partner with great potential in these areas. Based on the EU-Cabo Verde Fisheries Agreement, several projects have been developed, especially in the blue economy, enabling sustainable economic growth for Cabo Verde.

Under the GSP+ scheme, Cabo Verde exports duty-free to the EU, generating over EUR 13.2 million annually. The Fisheries Agreement also allows Cabo Verdean fishers to work on European vessels with equal pay and social benefits.

The EU recently invested EUR 410,000 to modernise the Maritime Code, promoting territorial integration and mobility of people and goods.

Global Gateway investments to modernise ports in Maio, Porto Grande (São Vicente), Porto Novo (Santo Antão), and Palmeira (Sal) include environmental risk mitigation and support for artisanal fishing communities.

Under the regional WASOP programme – Sustainable Oceans Programme for West Africa (€59 million), the Delegation in Cabo Verde will be responsible for the Blue Economy component, aiming to promote the sustainable integrated management of marine and coastal resources.

These initiatives strengthen Cabo Verde’s position as a strategic EU partner, leveraging its potential in the blue economy, fisheries, and sustainable development.

Like all countries, Cabo Verde has been affected by the spread of COVID-19.  

From the beginning, the EU pledged to support the country by contributing budget support and vaccine donations to help the country get its economy back on its feet. 

The European Union and its Member States have offered to Cabo Verde until November 2021, 565.050 doses of vaccines against COVID-19. Countries such as France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia have contributed with vaccines to Cabo Verde, in addition to the contribution through the COVAX mechanism.