Cape Verde has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation strategy with the inauguration of Techpark, a state-of-the-art infrastructure that positions the archipelago as a technological centre of reference in West Africa. This ambitious project, largely funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), reflects the vision of transforming the country into an inclusive, connected and global digital nation. During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva emphasised that the Techpark will not only make it possible to create and export high-quality technological services, but also to generate skilled jobs for young Cape Verdeans.
The president of the ADB, Akinwumi Adesina, emphasised the importance of this milestone, saying that "Cape Verde is an important example for attracting technology companies from all over the world". This recognition reinforces Techpark's role as a catalyst for economic and social development, while at the same time promoting the diversification of the Cape Verdean economy, traditionally dependent on tourism.
With modern infrastructure and a strategic location in the Mid-Atlantic, the Techpark already hosts companies from several countries and aims to attract up to 30 companies by 2030. The initiative includes tax incentives associated with a "technology free zone", as well as investing in training local talent and collaborating with academic institutions and start-ups. This joint effort aims to consolidate Cape Verde as a competitive digital hub, capable of exporting technological services to global markets, including the Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP).
For more details on the impact of Techpark, visit the official website of the Government of Cape Verde or read the full coverage on Island Express.
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The Cape Verde TechPark, inaugurated in May 2025, represents a milestone in the digital transformation of the archipelago. This development, located in the city of Praia, was conceived as an infrastructure of excellence to foster the digital economy, innovation and entrepreneurship. The project is part of a national strategy to position Cape Verde as a regional technology hub in Africa, taking advantage of its strategic geographical location and political stability.
The technology park was financed to the tune of 95% by the African Development Bank (AfDB), with a total investment of approximately 50 million euros (Diário Económico). This support reflects confidence in Cape Verde as an example of digital transformation on the African continent.
As well as being a physical infrastructure, TechPark is a platform for attracting technology companies, start-ups and research centres, promoting the creation of skilled jobs and the export of digital services. The business plan foresees the installation of 30 companies by 2030, with the creation of up to 1,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs (News of the World).
One of the fundamental pillars of TechPark is the training and valorisation of local talent. The infrastructure includes spaces dedicated to specialised training, in partnership with universities and research centres. This effort aims to combat the lack of qualified labour and mitigate the talent drain, a common challenge in developing countries.
TechPark is also betting on the Cape Verdean diaspora, which numbers around 1.5 million people, three times more than the resident population on the islands. Events and initiatives are being organised to attract entrepreneurs and professionals from the diaspora, such as a meeting scheduled for June 2025, where a Cape Verdean entrepreneur from the USA will share her experience and collaborate in the development of the park.
To attract international investors and companies, TechPark offers a competitive business environment, with tax benefits associated with a "free zone" for technology. This model includes tax exemptions and other incentives for companies that establish themselves in the park, making Cape Verde an attractive alternative to other African markets.
In addition, the country stands out for its political stability, freedom and democracy, factors that reinforce investor confidence. The government's commitment to developing "technology islands" in West Africa is another element that sets Cape Verde apart on the regional stage.
TechPark is designed to be an exporting unit for technological services, taking advantage of Cape Verde's history of exporting digital services to neighbouring and Portuguese-speaking countries. Companies such as Visionware, which specialises in cybersecurity, are already operating in the park, providing services both to the local market and to international clients.
The experience accumulated by the Operational Centre for the Information Society (NOSI), a Cape Verdean public company, has also contributed to the creation of a culture of innovation in the country. NOSI, which operates at TechPark, plays a crucial role in digitising public services and exporting technological solutions to other African countries, such as Angola.
The partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) was essential for the realisation of TechPark. This support is part of a decade of strategic cooperation between Cape Verde and the AfDB, which includes investments in areas such as sustainable energy, transport and the digital economy (Diário Económico).
TechPark is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting digital inclusion and innovation as drivers of economic and social growth. The infrastructure was designed to be environmentally sustainable, integrating energy efficiency and resource management practices.
Another central element of TechPark is its integration with academic institutions and research centres. These partnerships aim to create an innovation ecosystem that combines talent training with applied research. The aim is to turn ideas into practical solutions, driving the development of start-ups and the transfer of technology.
TechPark's coworking spaces and innovation labs offer a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs, researchers and students can develop joint projects. This open innovation model is essential for meeting the challenges of digital transformation and creating solutions adapted to local and global needs.
Although Cape Verde's TechPark is a recent infrastructure, its impact is already visible in the promotion of the digital economy, job creation and the export of technological services. With the support of international partners such as the AfDB and the government's commitment to developing a competitive business environment, the TechPark has the potential to transform Cape Verde into a benchmark for innovation and technology in West Africa.
Cape Verde's TechPark has been a catalyst for the creation of skilled jobs, with a direct impact on the archipelago's labour market. According to the park's business plan, it is estimated that around 1,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs will be created by 2030, covering areas such as software development, cybersecurity, data analysis and technical support. This growth is driven by the presence of international companies such as Visionware, which already employs dozens of young Cape Verdeans in highly specialised roles (Diário Económico).
In addition, the TechPark promotes the retention of local talent, preventing brain drain, a common problem in developing countries. The modern infrastructure and continuous training opportunities offered by the park create an attractive environment for young professionals, who now find in Cape Verde a place to grow professionally without having to emigrate. This talent retention model is essential for strengthening the local economy and reducing dependence on remittances from abroad.
Historically, Cape Verde's economy has been heavily dependent on tourism, a sector vulnerable to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. TechPark has emerged as a strategic solution to diversify the economy, positioning the country as a technological hub in West Africa. The export of technological services, such as cybersecurity solutions and the digitalisation of administrative systems, already represents a new source of revenue for the archipelago (The Week).
Companies such as Núcleo Operacional Para a Sociedade de Informação (NOSI) have played a crucial role in this process, exporting digital solutions to Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, where they recently implemented a judicial digitalisation system. This type of export not only generates revenue, but also strengthens Cape Verde's reputation as a reliable supplier of technological services.
TechPark is designed to attract technology companies from all over the world, offering tax incentives and a favourable business environment. The creation of a "free zone" for technology, with specific tax benefits, has been one of the main attractions for foreign investors. Companies from countries such as Portugal, the United States and Brazil have already shown interest in setting up operations in the park, taking advantage of Cape Verde's strategic location in the Mid-Atlantic (Portuguese Language Observatory).
In addition, the financing of 95% for the TechPark by the African Development Bank (AfDB) reinforces international confidence in the project's potential. During the park's inauguration, the president of the AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, highlighted Cape Verde as an example of innovation and economic resilience, encouraging other companies to invest in the country.
One of TechPark's priorities is training young professionals in cutting-edge technological areas. In partnership with local and international universities, the park offers training programmes in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies. These initiatives not only prepare young people for the labour market, but also create a highly qualified talent base that can meet the growing demand from technology companies.
The involvement of companies like Visionware, which uses the park as a base to train and employ young people in cybersecurity, is a clear example of the positive impact of these partnerships. This practical training model, combined with access to state-of-the-art technologies, positions Cape Verde as a leader in technological innovation among Portuguese-speaking African countries (CaboWork).
The export of technological services is one of the pillars of TechPark's business model. Cape Verde already has a solid track record in this area, with companies like NOSI leading digitalisation projects in neighbouring countries. The technology park amplifies this capacity by offering world-class infrastructure, such as data centres and fibre-optic networks, which support the provision of services to international clients.
TechPark's business plan predicts that by 2030 the turnover generated by the export of technological services will become one of the country's main sources of income. This growth not only contributes to GDP, but also creates indirect jobs in sectors such as logistics, technical support and business consultancy. The goal of reaching 30 companies established by 2030 reflects Cape Verde's commitment to becoming a centre of excellence in technology and innovation.
Cape Verde's strategic location, combined with its advanced technological infrastructure, makes the country an attractive destination for digital nomads and global companies. TechPark offers an ideal environment for professionals working remotely, with high-speed internet access and modern coworking spaces. This market segment has been growing rapidly, and Cape Verde is well positioned to capture a significant share of this audience.
In addition, the archipelago's international connectivity, guaranteed by four submarine internet cables, allows local companies to provide services to clients anywhere in the world. This connectivity is a competitive advantage that reinforces Cape Verde's role as a technological hub in the region (The Week).
This report presents a detailed overview of the economic and social impact of Cape Verde's TechPark, highlighting job creation, economic diversification and the export of technological services as pillars of the country's sustainable development.
Cape Verde has implemented a set of highly competitive tax incentives to attract technology companies to TechPark, positioning itself as a strategic destination for investments in the technology sector. These incentives include profit tax exemptions for periods of up to 15 years, depending on the impact and innovation of the project. In addition, there are significant reductions in customs duties for importing technological equipment, facilitating the establishment of local operations. This tax model is complemented by double taxation and investment protection agreements, which guarantee legal certainty for international investors (S&D Consultancy).
While the existing content has already covered the concept of a "free trade zone" and general tax incentives, this section focuses specifically on the practical application of these benefits for technology companies, detailing the conditions and exclusive advantages offered by the Cape Verdean government.
The strategic partnership with international financial institutions, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), has been key to making TechPark viable. The AfDB has financed 95% of the project, which demonstrates international confidence in Cape Verde's potential as a technological hub. In addition, the European Union's Global Gateway programme has made 240 million euros available for energy transition and blue economy projects, part of which is earmarked for technological infrastructure (Island Express).
This section complements the existing topics by exploring how these financial collaborations not only make TechPark viable, but also create an attractive environment for investors looking for stability and robust financial support.
The Cape Verdean government has been promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a central strategy to accelerate the development of TechPark and expand its capacity to export technological services. These partnerships include collaborations with international technology companies to create data centres, coworking spaces and digital skills training programmes. For example, the Cabo Verde Digital project has been a catalyst for connecting local startups with global companies, promoting knowledge transfer and technological innovation (The Week).
Although the previous content mentioned international co-operation, this section specifically highlights PPPs as a mechanism for integrating the private sector into the development of the TechPark, creating synergies that benefit both local and international companies.
To attract global talent and technology companies, Cape Verde has simplified visa processes and created specific support infrastructures. The admissions programme for international startups, part of Phase II of the TechPark project, includes clear parameters on visa costs and duration, facilitating the entry of qualified professionals. In addition, TechPark already has three data centres, a business centre and spaces dedicated to entrepreneurship and technological training (The Week).
This section adds a new dimension by exploring how visa facilitation and support infrastructure are key elements in attracting technology companies and professionals, complementing tax incentives and strategic partnerships.
TechPark was conceived with the aim of transforming Cape Verde into a centre for exporting technological services to global markets. The archipelago's strategic location in the Middle Atlantic provides easy access to markets in Europe, Africa and South America. In addition, the government has invested in fibre optic infrastructure and digital connectivity to ensure that companies in the TechPark can operate efficiently and competitively. This focus on exports is reinforced by programmes such as Cabo Verde Digital, which promotes the internationalisation of local startups (S&D Consultancy).
While the economic impact of exporting technological services has been addressed in previous reports, this section focuses on actively promoting internationalisation as a core TechPark strategy, detailing specific efforts to position Cape Verde as a global supplier of technological services.
The Cape Verde TechPark has emerged as a transformative milestone in the archipelago's economic diversification and digitalisation strategy, positioning the country as a technological hub of reference in West Africa.
With a significant investment of 50 million euros, financed to the tune of 95% by the African Development Bank, the technology park combines excellent infrastructure, attractive tax incentives and strategic partnerships to attract global companies and foster innovation. This project not only promotes the creation of up to 3,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, but also strengthens the export of technological services, consolidating Cape Verde as a competitive supplier of digital solutions to international markets, including Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola.
TechPark is also committed to training and retaining local talent, combating the brain drain through partnerships with universities and research centres, as well as initiatives aimed at the Cape Verdean diaspora.
The integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, into training programmes prepares young people for a competitive global market, while robust digital connectivity, guaranteed by submarine cables, positions Cape Verde as an attractive destination for digital nomads and tech companies (The Week).
With a sustainable model aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), TechPark not only diversifies the economy, reducing dependence on tourism, but also projects Cape Verde as an example of innovation and economic resilience on the African continent. The project's success will depend on continuing public-private partnerships, strengthening the business environment and actively promoting the export of technological services, consolidating the country as a centre of excellence in technology and innovation.
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