Cabo Verde - China Cooperation 

Infrastructure and public works partnership between China and Cabo Verde - A Partnership Built on Concrete and Diplomacy

The Republic of Cabo Verde and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations in April 1976, shortly after Cabo Verde's independence,. Over the subsequent decades, China has evolved from a distant diplomatic ally into the archipelago's principal builder of public infrastructure. This physical transformation of the Cabo Verdean landscape is the most visible manifestation of a bilateral relationship defined by "mutual political trust" and recently elevated to a "strategic partnership",.

Unlike Western development partners, who often focus on budget support or institutional reform, China's engagement in Cabo Verde has followed a model of high-visibility "prestige projects". These projects—ranging from seats of political power to educational and sporting venues—are typically financed through a mix of grants, interest-free loans, and concessional financing,,. The modernization of Cabo Verde's physical assets serves dual purposes: it addresses the infrastructure deficit of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) while cementing Beijing's soft power influence in a geostrategically important location in the mid-Atlantic,.

The following sections analyze the specific landmark projects identified in the query, detailing their construction, financing, and strategic relevance.

1. The National Parliament Building (Palácio da Assembleia Nacional)

The National Parliament building in the capital city of Praia stands as a foundational symbol of Sino-Cabo Verdean cooperation.

• Historical Construction: The original construction of the parliamentary hall was one of the first major fruits of the bilateral relationship. Following an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed in 1980, China undertook the construction of the hall, which was inaugurated in 1985,. This early investment established a precedent for China constructing the physical spaces where Cabo Verdean sovereignty is exercised.
• Modernization and Renovation: Decades later, the maintenance and modernization of this critical asset remained a priority. In March 2016, an agreement was signed between the Chinese Embassy and Cabo Verde's National Assembly to launch a comprehensive renovation project.
• Project Scope: Funded entirely by China, the renovation work began in May 2016 and was scheduled to last approximately 21 months. The intervention was described as "qualitative," aimed at modernizing the facilities to meet contemporary standards. During this period, parliamentary sessions were temporarily relocated to the National Library—another building originally constructed with Chinese financing,.
• Strategic Symbolism: By financing both the construction and the subsequent renovation of the legislature, China positions itself as a literal supporter of the Cabo Verdean state apparatus, reinforcing the narrative of a "faithful friend".

2. The Government Palace and Presidential Palace

China's involvement in Cabo Verde's political infrastructure extends to the executive branch, covering both the seat of the government and the head of state.

• The Government Palace (Palácio do Governo): Chinese financing and construction firms erected the Government Palace, a massive structure that dominates the landscape of Praia. It serves as the central administrative hub for the Prime Minister and various ministries, symbolizing the centralization and modernization of state capacity,.
• The Presidential Palace (Palácio da Presidência): China also funded the remodeling and expansion of the Presidential Palace,. This project was explicitly cited by former President Jorge Carlos Fonseca as a testament to the "excellence of relations" between the two nations.
• Ongoing Commitment: The partnership includes long-term maintenance commitments. In January 2025, during the signing of a new economic cooperation agreement, Chinese officials confirmed the continuity of technical assistance for the Presidential Palace. This ensures that these symbols of state power remain operational and well-maintained without placing an immediate financial burden on the Cabo Verdean budget.

3. The National Stadium (Estádio Nacional)

The construction of the National Stadium represents a shift from political infrastructure to social and cultural public works, aimed at garnering broad public support.

• Construction and Cost: Located in Monte Vaca, on the outskirts of Praia, the National Stadium was financed by the Chinese government with an investment of approximately $22 million (some sources cite roughly 1.1 billion escudos),.
• Scale and Impact: Upon its completion, the stadium was hailed by then-Chinese Ambassador Su Jian as "the largest construction after Independence". It provided Cabo Verde with its first FIFA-standard venue, allowing the national soccer team (the "Blue Sharks") to host international matches, which is a matter of intense national pride.
• Maintenance: Similar to the political buildings, the stadium operates under a framework of continued technical cooperation. Recent agreements have allocated funds for technical assistance to ensure the facility remains in good condition.

4. The University of Cabo Verde (Uni-CV) New Campus

Perhaps the most significant project in terms of scale and long-term developmental impact is the new campus for the University of Cabo Verde (Uni-CV).

• Project Scope: This project involved the construction of a completely new campus in the Palmarejo Grande area of Praia. It is the largest single Chinese-funded project in Cabo Verde to date, with a total cost of approximately 5.6 billion escudos (around $60 million),.
• Facilities: The campus is massive and modern, designed to accommodate 4,890 students. It features:
  • 60 classrooms.
  • Five auditoriums with a seating capacity of 150 each.
  • A central convention hall (multipurpose space) with 654 seats.
  • 34 laboratories and eight computer rooms.
  • Eight reading rooms and a large central library.
  • Dormitories, cafeterias, and a sports pavilion,,.
• Financing and Execution: The project was fully financed by China. Construction began in July 2017 and the campus was formally handed over to the Cabo Verdean government in July 2021,.
• Strategic Value: The campus not only modernizes Cabo Verde's higher education infrastructure but also serves as a hub for cultural exchange. It hosts the Confucius Institute, which promotes the teaching of Mandarin and Chinese culture. In 2021, Cabo Verdean regulators authorized the university to award degrees in Chinese studies, a curriculum taught within the Chinese-built facilities,.

5. Broader Context: Housing, Health, and "Blue" Infrastructure

While the buildings mentioned above are the most prominent, the Chinese infrastructure portfolio in Cabo Verde includes several other critical sectors that modernize the state's physical assets.

Health Infrastructure China has moved beyond sending medical teams to building physical health assets.

• Maternity Ward (São Vicente): China financed the construction of a new maternity and pediatrics building at the Baptista de Sousa Hospital in Mindelo. This project, valued at approximately $15 million, is described as a "structural" investment for the northern region of the archipelago,.
• Planned Projects: Discussions are ongoing regarding the construction of a new national hospital and other health infrastructures.

Social Housing China has become a key partner in the government's "Happy Home" style initiatives.

• Portelinha Complex: In January 2022, a Chinese contractor handed over the Portelinha public housing complex on São Vicente island. The project cost over 1 billion escudos ($10.3 million) and includes 88 dwellings.
• Future Commitments: This was part of a broader agreement to build multiple housing complexes, further embedding Chinese construction firms in the social fabric of the country.

Maritime and "Blue Economy" Infrastructure Given Cabo Verde's archipelagic nature, China has heavily supported the "Blue Economy."

• Poilão Dam: Completed in 2006 with a $4.4 million grant, this was Cabo Verde's first dam. It was critical for agriculture in the Santa Cruz municipality,,.
• Special Maritime Economic Zone (ZEEMSV): China funded the feasibility studies and planning for this major project in São Vicente. The zone plans include a deep-water port, a cruise terminal, and shipyard repairs (Cabnave), aiming to transform Mindelo into a logistics hub,,.

Summary

The modernization of Cabo Verde's physical assets by China follows a distinct pattern. Most projects are "turnkey," meaning they are financed by Chinese state-owned banks (like Exim Bank), designed by Chinese architects, and built by Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) often using imported Chinese labor and materials,.

This model has allowed Cabo Verde to acquire high-quality physical assets—parliaments, universities, stadiums—that it could not afford through its own budget. The visual impact of these buildings creates a landscape where the Chinese presence is undeniable. While concerns regarding debt sustainability exist, China holds a relatively small percentage of Cabo Verde's total external debt (under 2% according to some 2018 data, though this fluctuates with new loans),.

Chronology of  sectoral cooperation between Cabo Verde and China

 While diplomatic relations were formally established on April 25, 1976, specific sectoral cooperation began at different times:

1. Life & Community (Health and Migration)

• 1984 (Health): The cooperation in the health sector is one of the oldest pillars of the relationship. The first Chinese medical team arrived in Cabo Verde in 1984. Since then, teams have rotated every few years, and the two nations recently celebrated 40 years of this cooperation.
• 1995 (Community/Migration): The formation of a significant Chinese community began in 1995 with the opening of the first Chinese retail shop in the capital, Praia. This marked the beginning of private Chinese migration and the establishment of "lojas chinesas" (Chinese shops) throughout the archipelago.
• 2015 (Education/Culture): Cultural exchange deepened significantly with the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cabo Verde in December 2015.

2. Economy & Investment (Trade Frameworks)

• 1998: The legal framework for investment was strengthened with the signing of the "Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments" on April 21, 1998.
• October 2003: A major milestone was the establishment of Forum Macao (Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries), which formalized Cabo Verde's role in the multilateral economic platform connecting China and the Lusophone world.
• 2009/2010: The China-Cabo Verde Joint Economic and Trade Commission was established in 2009, with its first meeting held in July 2010.

3. Technology & Digital Future

• 2010: Huawei's involvement in Cabo Verde's digital infrastructure began with the first phase of the eGovernment project (initiated in 2010, delivered in 2014), which included the construction of a national data center and government communications network.
• 2016: The specific cooperation on security technology, known as the "Safe City" (Cidade Segura) project, was identified as a priority in October 2016. A formal agreement with Huawei for the first phase ($20 million) was signed in July 2017.

4. Tourism & Lifestyle

• 2007 (Early Proposals): Macau-based businessman David Chow first announced a $100 million tourism project (resort and casino) on the islet of Santa Maria in early 2007.
• 2015 (Formal Contracts): The project faced delays, but a definitive investment agreement for the Macau Legend resort (valued at approx. €250 million) was signed in 2015, marking the start of major private tourism infrastructure efforts.
• 2016: The China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) expressed willingness to fund tourism projects (minimum $25 million) in Cabo Verde during a visit in 2016.

5. Maritime & Blue Economy

• 2013: Preliminary discussions on major maritime infrastructure began when the China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) met with Cabo Verde's leadership in December 2013 to discuss a deep-water port at Mindelo.
• 2016/2017: The concept for the São Vicente Special Maritime Economic Zone (ZEEMSV) was presented by Cabo Verde to China in 2016. This was formalized in July 2017, when the two governments signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) committing grant funding for the zone's planning.