The country of Cape Verde is definitely not one of the most talked about countries on earth – or even in its region of West Africa. With an area of 4033 km² and a population of approximately 593 thousand people, this Portuguese-speaking archipelago tends to get overlooked in the international political and economical game, let alone in the map. However, these nine small islands display incredible potential in terms of innovation and progress. Its geographical constraints do not prevent them from being a hidden gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean – and the rest of the world should pay attention.
First of all, Cape Verde’s political, social, and economic environments are more likely to foster entrepreneurship and innovation than many other African countries. In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index of 2024, the archipelago was ranked 37th out of 167 countries, appearing as the 3rd most democratic country in Africa (after Mauritius and Botswana). It is also the 3rd most economically free country in Africa (after, once again, Mauritius and Botswana), according to the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom, and was given a freedom score of 92 out of 100 by Freedom House. For corruption, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, it is the second least corrupt country in Africa, only surpassed by the Seychelles.
Narrowing down to Portuguese-speaking Africa, Cape Verde is the most promising country for entrepreneurs and innovators, presenting better ranks and statistics than its fellow PALOPs (Portuguese-speaking African Countries) – Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe – which enormously struggle (apart from São Tomé) with high corruption rates, security issues, and political conflicts.
As of 2023, 80 percent of the Cape Verdean population had internet access, twice the African average and 20 percent above the world average. The archipelago is focused on enhancing its digital and technological sectors, and there are, in particular, three Cape Verdean innovation-oriented platforms that must be highlighted – Cabo Verde Digital, TechPark.CV, and NOSi.
Cabo Verde Digital is committed to empowering Cape Verdean citizens to become successful entrepreneurs and technology specialists by equipping them with appropriate tools and offering valuable services. The platform relies on several training and funding programs, as well as contests, that seek to invest in promising individuals and startups, aiming to boost technological progress and ensure a thriving digital transition for the country. Those who stand out the most are rewarded, in addition, during a Digital Awards ceremony. There is also an ongoing project involving the implementation of a FinTech Hub, aiming to serve as a catalyzer for knowledge sharing and networking. At the moment, there are 58 startups registered under Cabo Verde Digital – very impressive for a country with half a million people!
The TechPark.CV is Cape Verde’s first Technological Park and the first within the West African coast. With two campuses (one in the capital, Praia, and another in Mindelo) and five specialized Centers (Incubation, Training, Companies, Events, and Data), its mission is to help businesses become more prominent, innovative, and competitive. The TechPark is covered by the ZEET (the Special Economic Zone for Technologies), which grants companies a series of fiscal benefits as long as those promote innovation, creativity, technological progress, and the development of digital services, as well as have conditions to act as an incubator for tech startups. In January 2025, TechPark hosted a training on “ProblemSolving with App Inventor” taught by MIT. Microsoft was also invited to the TechPark, after choosing Cape Verde as the first country to benefit from its Digital Development Program, which focuses on areas such as cybersecurity, privacy, Power Apps, AI, connectivity in schools, digital literacy, digital infrastructures, and E-Government.
In fact, E-Government is exactly what NOSi focuses on. NOSi’s path started in 1998, with the State Financial Administration Reform Unit (RAFE), when Cape Verde started its journey on E-Governance, aiming for a more effective Public Administration. A small island country in Africa was already talking about E-Governance 25 years ago. In 2000, the archipelago already counted on electronic systems that allowed the management of low-interest loans and the State’s Human Resources. Throughout the 2000s, advances in Cape Verde’s E-Governance included the computerization of the Notary’s Identification Register (RNI), a Municipal Information System (SIM), a Food and Medication Management System, the issuing of online certificates, the simplification of business implementation, health information exchange between services, an integrated school management system, land registry, and electronic identification systems. The 2010s brought wonders such as the allocation of social pensions under the non-contributory system, a legislation database, the automation of foreign trade operations, telemedicine, one single platform to discuss investment issues, better connectivity for health structures, internal management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, simplified reporting of crime, a Custom Service System and a platform that allows strategy definition in evidence-based public health. Nowadays, NOSi allows Electronic Legal Aid, Business Intelligence for Education, interoperability between applications and services, a Tourism Information Management System, an Airfare Compensation Platform, and Rural Infrastructure Management. In 2022, the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index placed Cape Verde as the best-performing country in West and Central Africa, assigning it an E-Governance maturity score of 0.822 in 1.
Undoubtedly, Cape Verde is an interesting place for investors and even policymakers – but there’s more! Digital Nomads should also take a look. The Cabo Verde Remote Working Program offers temporary work/tourism visas lasting 6 months, with the opportunity of renewal, for those who are working remotely. The country appears to be a desirable destination for remote work. Besides its safety, stability, and free spirit, it has delightful landscapes, crystal-clear water beaches, hills, and Portuguese-style buildings. Furthermore, remote workers in Cabo Verde are exempt from income tax.
Cape Verde’s small dimension, reduced population, limited resources, and relative isolation do not prevent it from being a hidden gem for technology and E-Governance. The country is embracing progress and witnessing significant developments. The world should keep an eye on it – it has all the potential to become Africa’s next big innovation hub.
* Beatriz Santos is the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) at We Are Innovation. She is based in Lisbon, Portugal. Beatriz started publishing articles through her University newspaper and eventually moved to national and international reach outlets, including the well known Portuguese outlets NOVO and Observador. Her professional career includes international communications experience with the ATREVIA agency and the European Parliament. She also has two published books and is an essential part of the Students For Liberty organization in Portugal. With a focus on positive change and global cooperation, Beatriz actively seeks partnerships across the globe to promote innovative initiatives.
Source: We Are Innovation
