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The São Vicente Special Maritime Economic Zone (ZEEMSV) 

Cooperation between Cabo Verde & China

The São Vicente Special Maritime Economic Zone (ZEEMSV): Cabo Verde's Blue Gateway for Chinese Investment

The island of São Vicente is poised to become the "Atlantic Hub" of the 21st century. At the heart of this transformation is the Special Maritime Economic Zone of São Vicente (ZEEMSV)—a flagship project designed to leverage Cabo Verde's strategic location to attract global capital, with the People's Republic of China emerging as the primary strategic partner.

Planned as a multi-decade project, the ZEEMSV represents a bold move toward economic diversification through the "Blue Economy," focusing on three critical sectors: port logistics, fish processing, and shipbuilding.

Strategic Support from China: A Natural Extension of the Belt and Road

The relationship between Cabo Verde and China has deep roots, but the ZEEMSV has elevated this partnership to a strategic level.

  • Planning and Masterplan: China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) provided grant funding and technical expertise for the initial feasibility studies. In 2018, a team of 17 Chinese experts worked closely with Cabo Verdean officials to draft the masterplan for the zone.

  • The "Macao of Africa": Cabo Verdean officials often describe the vision for São Vicente as an extension of the Macao service platform. By positioning the island as a logistics bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, Cabo Verde aims to be China's "precise interlocutor" in the Mid-Atlantic.

  • A Strategic Partnership: In September 2024, bilateral ties were officially elevated to a Strategic Partnership, reinforcing China's commitment to financing priorities in infrastructure and the blue economy.

Port Logistics: Turning Mindelo into a Global Transshipment Hub

The crown jewel of the ZEEMSV is the expansion of Porto Grande in Mindelo. The objective is to transform one of the best naturally protected bays in West Africa into a modern maritime logistics platform.

  • Infrastructure Upgrades: Plans include the construction of a new deep-water container terminal capable of handling large-scale international transshipments.

  • Bunkering and Logistics: Chinese investors see São Vicente as a vital transit point for the thousands of ships crossing the South Atlantic annually. Establishing high-tech warehousing, distribution centers, and fuel provisioning (bunkering) services are high priorities for state-owned entities like China Merchants Group, which has expressed active interest in the zone.

Fish Processing: Feeding the Global Market

Fisheries and fish processing already account for over 60% of Cabo Verde's exports. The ZEEMSV aims to industrialize this sector through a specialized logistics center for fish exports in the Saragaça area.

  • Value-Added Exports: Instead of simply exporting raw materials, the zone provides incentives for processing units, cold storage facilities, and marketing hubs.

  • Catering to International Fleets: The center is designed to serve as a replenishment and processing base for Chinese and international fishing fleets operating in the fertile waters of the Central Atlantic.

4. Shipbuilding and Repair: Revitalizing the Naval Industry

Cabo Verde's naval tradition is being modernized through the planned privatization and refurbishment of the CABNAVE shipyard.

  • Ship Repair Hub: Located in Mindelo, Cabnave is a strategic asset for the repair and maintenance of ships from Europe and Asia.

  • Shipbuilding Aspirations: The ZEEMSV implementation plan includes not just repair, but the potential for shipbuilding and maritime engineering. This sector is expected to be a major job creator, with Chinese experts providing technical training to local personnel to build a skilled naval workforce.

Investment Environment and Incentives

To secure Chinese and international interest, Cabo Verde adopted Decree-Law No. 17/2024, which offers one of the most competitive fiscal packages in the region:

  • Tax Exemptions: Companies operating within the ZEEMSV benefit from significant reductions or exemptions on corporate income tax (IRC), customs duties, and property taxes.

  • Administrative Ease: A "One-Stop Shop" model simplifies registration and licensing, ensuring that the legal and institutional environment is dependable for long-term investors.

Facts and figures regarding Porto Grande in Mindelo, Cabo Verde, and an analysis of its strategic value to China 

Facts and Figures: Porto Grande (Mindelo)

Location and Status

  • Location: Porto Grande is a natural deep-water harbor located in the city of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente,,.
  • Significance: It is the largest port in Cabo Verde. Historically, it served as a major coaling station and Atlantic outpost, a status the current development plans aim to restore.
  • Infrastructure: The port facilities include the Cabnave ship repair yard, which is slated for privatization and rehabilitation,.

Traffic and Economic Projections

  • Cruise Tourism: In 2019, Porto Grande received 26,021 cruise ship passengers, the highest volume of any port in the archipelago (followed by Praia with 14,107).
  • Deep-Water Port Project Estimates: The construction of a deep-water port in Mindelo is projected to create between 300 and 500 direct jobs.
  • Revenue Projections: According to ENAPOR (National Port Administration Company), the port expansion is estimated to generate annual revenues between €14.2 million and €21.4 million by 2023.
  • Cost Savings: The new infrastructure is expected to reduce import costs, generating estimated annual savings of €2.8 million to €4.2 million.
  • Competition: The developed port is intended to compete directly with the ports of Dakar (Senegal) and Las Palmas (Canary Islands) in terms of prices and services,.

The São Vicente Special Maritime Economic Zone (ZEEMSV)

Porto Grande is the centerpiece of the Zona Económica Especial Marítima em São Vicente (ZEEMSV), a major development project supported by Chinese planning.

  • Components: The zone includes the construction of a cruise terminal, a deep-water container terminal, the refurbishment of the Cabnave shipyards, and a logistics center for fish exports in the Saragaça area,.
  • Timeline: The project was officially established by law in 2020 and is planned to be implemented in three phases: 2020–2025, 2026–2030, and 2031–2035,.
  • Chinese Technical Support: The feasibility studies and spatial planning for the ZEEMSV were funded by a grant from the Chinese government and conducted by Chinese experts between 2017 and 2018,.
Strategic Value for China

China views Cabo Verde, and specifically Porto Grande, as a critical node in its global maritime strategy.

1. Geostrategic Location in the Mid-Atlantic

  • Atlantic Platform: Cabo Verde sits at the crossroads of maritime routes linking Africa, Europe, and the Americas,.
  • Belt and Road Extension: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described Cabo Verde as a "natural extension" of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), specifically the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, into the Atlantic,.
  • Strategic Access: A presence in Mindelo provides China with "strategic space" in the Atlantic, helping to develop an "exterior line" that balances U.S. dominance in other oceans. It offers a transit point for the replenishment and logistical support of Chinese ships crossing the South Atlantic toward Europe.

2. Fisheries and Logistics

  • Fleet Support: The port serves as a base for Chinese fishing fleets operating in the Atlantic,.
  • Processing Hub: The ZEEMSV plan includes facilities for processing and distributing marine products, aligning with China's interest in securing food resources and processing capabilities abroad,.

3. Commercial and Construction Opportunities

  • State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): Major Chinese SOEs, such as the China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC), have been directly involved in presenting plans to build the deep-water port and cruise terminal,. China Merchants Group and Shandong Hi-Speed have also expressed interest in the zone,.
  • Market Entry: Using Cabo Verde as a platform allows Chinese companies to access the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) markets and the European Union via Cabo Verde's special partnership agreements.

4. "Dual-Use" Potential

While primarily commercial, Chinese port investments in the Atlantic are monitored for their potential to support military naval operations (PLAN). Mindelo is identified as a deep-water port capable of docking larger vessels,. Some analysts suggest that facilities like those in Mindelo could offer the Chinese Navy opportunities for logistics and intelligence gathering, although Cabo Verde emphasizes its partnership with NATO and the EU

The relationship between China Merchants Group (CMG) and Cabo Verde centers on the group's potential investment in the country's ambitious maritime infrastructure projects, specifically on the island of São Vicente.

Here are the key details regarding their engagement:

Interest in the São Vicente Special Economic Zone (ZEEMSV)

  • Investment Consideration: China Merchants Group has explicitly expressed interest in investing in the Zona Económica Especial Marítima em São Vicente (ZEEMSV),. This zone is a central piece of Cabo Verde's strategy to diversify its economy and capitalize on its location in the mid-Atlantic.
  • Direct Engagement: In September 2019, the Cabo Verdean port authority, ENAPOR, released a statement confirming that CMG was considering this investment.
  • Site Visits: Jing Li, a representative of China Merchants Group based in Togo, visited ENAPOR's headquarters in the city of Mindelo, São Vicente. During this visit, the representative met with the zone's coordinator, José Correia, and vice-coordinator, Paulo Alexandre Lopes da Silva, to discuss the project.

Context of the Project The project in which CMG has shown interest is a comprehensive maritime hub designed to transform Mindelo into a logistics platform. The development plans for the ZEEMSV include:

  • The construction of a deep-water port and a cruise ship terminal.
  • The rehabilitation of the Cabnave shipyards.
  • The creation of a logistics center for fish exports.
  • Facilities for renewable energy and tourism.

Strategic Relevance

  • Major Port Operator: China Merchants Group is a significant player in the African maritime sector; along with China Communications Construction Company, it is one of the major Chinese entities involved in African ports, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the ports operated by Chinese entities on the continent.
  • Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): The port assets of China Merchants Group in Africa are considered key locations along the Belt and Road Initiative. Cabo Verde is viewed by Chinese officials as a "natural extension" of the BRI into the Atlantic.
  • Logistics Platform: The involvement of a major operator like CMG aligns with Cabo Verde's goal to become a maritime and logistics platform in the Atlantic, competing with ports in Dakar and the Canary Islands,.