Cabo Verde EU Cooperation

Digital Connectivity

Wiring the Atlantic: Cabo Verde's "Cyber Island" Ambition

Cabo Verde is actively executing a structural transformation to position itself not merely as a tourist destination, but as a "Cyber Island" and a technological hub for West Africa. Recognizing the limitations of its geography, the archipelago has identified the digital economy as a critical accelerator for sustainable development. To realize this vision, the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have mobilized significant resources under the Global Gateway strategy, focusing on connectivity and innovation ecosystems.

Strengthening the Backbone: Submarine Cable Infrastructure

A cornerstone of this digital leap is the modernization of the country's connectivity infrastructure. In September 2024, the Government of Cabo Verde, the EU, and the EIB signed a €37 million financing agreement to strengthen the country's digital connections,. Backed by EU financial guarantees, this corporate loan to Cabo Verde Telecom is designed to help the private sector transform the country into a digital hub for the West African region,.

This investment focuses on two critical interventions:

International Links: It funds a connection to a state-of-the-art submarine cable system linking Europe to the West Coast of Africa,. This builds on previous successes, such as the operationalization of the EllaLink cable in 2022, which significantly lowered latency between the archipelago, Europe, and Latin America,.
Inter-Island Connectivity: Crucially, the financing enables the replacement and modernization of the passive fiber-optic submarine cable network that interconnects the country's islands,. Replacing these aging cables is essential to improve functionality, efficiency, and resilience, ensuring that the benefits of high-speed internet reach beyond the main hubs of Santiago and São Vicente,.

Fostering Innovation: Tech Park Support

Complementing the hard infrastructure is the development of TechPark CV, a project designed to serve as the physical engine of the digital economy. The Tech Parks, with campuses in Praia (Santiago) and Mindelo (São Vicente), were officially inaugurated in May 2025,.

While the construction of these facilities was primarily funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through an investment of approximately €45.6 million, the EU actively supports the broader ecosystem through the Global Gateway,,.

Ecosystem Development: The parks are designed to host major international tech firms, data centers, and business incubation facilities. The Praia campus launch attracted over 300 companies, including global giants like Microsoft and Intel, highlighting the international interest in Cabo Verde's tech potential.
Job Creation: The EU's support aligns with the park's goal to foster innovation and create high-skilled jobs for youth and women,. The park infrastructure is expected to accommodate up to 1,500 workers and host dozens of start-ups, helping to retain local talent and combat brain drain,.

By integrating these infrastructure upgrades with the new technology parks, Cabo Verde is laying the physical and economic foundations to become a digital convergence point between Africa, Europe, and South America.

Cabo Verde EU Cooperation Digital Connectivity

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