Where to invest in Cape Verde? The 7 sectors with high potential for 2026–2027

Article updated in September 2026 with the latest trends and programmes.

To know where to invest in Cape Verde In 2026–2027, it is, more than a question of opportunity, a question of timing. The archipelago is entering a particularly favourable economic cycle: it maintains the political stability that sets it apart in West Africa, tourism accounts for around 25% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and continues to grow, and June 2026 marked a historic moment: the Cape Verdean national team’s debut at the FIFA World Cup, which put the country on the screens of millions of people around the world. This effect of global visibility, which we analysed in detail in the article on the economic impact of Cape Verde’s participation in the World Cup, which translates into tourist demand, interest from the diaspora and new inflows of foreign direct investment.

Added to this context is a strengthened framework of incentives. The Cape Verde International Business Centre (CIN-CV) offers corporate income tax (IRPC) rates ranging from 2.5% to 5% until 2030 for eligible companies, whilst the Pró-Empresa, Pró-Garantia and Pró-Capital programmes facilitate access to finance and guarantees. For emigrants, the Emigrant Investor Statute and the Diaspora Bonds create specific conditions for investing in their country of origin, with tax and customs benefits. Below, we present the seven sectors where the potential for 2026–2027 is most tangible.

1. Sustainable tourism

Tourism remains the main driver of the Cape Verdean economy and the first answer to the question of where to invest in Cape Verde. In the first quarter of 2025, the country recorded a 7.21 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase in the number of guests, totalling 325,135 visitors, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). This growth, combined with the publicity generated by the 2026 World Cup, points to increased demand over the next two years, whilst the supply of suitable accommodation has not yet kept pace with this growth.

The opportunity does not lie in the traditional all-inclusive resort model, which is already dominated by large international operators, but rather in higher-margin niche markets: ecotourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism and outdoor experiences, such as hiking and birdwatching. These segments attract tourists with greater purchasing power, who are willing to pay for initiatives that promote environmental conservation and the development of local communities. The Operational Programme for Tourism (POT) and the alignment of public policies with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework of tax incentives and technical support for projects in this area.

We recommend prioritising islands with proven demand and where supply is still limited: Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Maio and Brava, where it is easier to differentiate oneself through authenticity and where the start-up costs are lower than those on Sal and Boa Vista.

2. Local accommodation

Private accommodation (AL) is, in terms of growth rate, the most dynamic segment of the Cape Verdean tourism sector. Between 2022 and 2025, the number of beds available in private accommodation grew by 1,82%, coming to account for more than 25% of hotel capacity in some regions. This figure can be interpreted in two ways: it confirms demand, but it also signals that the markets in Sal and Praia are beginning to approach saturation in certain areas.

So where does the opportunity lie in 2026–2027? On three fronts. Firstly, in sustainable eco-lodges and guesthouses, which use local materials and environmentally friendly practices – a segment with growing demand in the Nordic and Central European markets, which already account for a significant proportion of overnight stays in the country. Secondly, in the professionalisation of management: many owners lack skills in digital marketing, revenue management and tax compliance, which creates opportunities for accommodation management companies. Thirdly, in expansion to smaller islands, where competition is limited and purchase or rental prices are still affordable.

3. Renewable energy

Few African countries have made commitments as ambitious as Cape Verde’s regarding the energy transition: 50% of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 and 100% by 2040. These targets, combined with exceptional natural conditions – high levels of sunshine and steady winds throughout the year – make renewable energy one of the sectors with the most predictable public and private demand over the coming decade.

The Cabeólica project has demonstrated that the public-private partnership model works in the sector, and the Santiago Pumped Storage project, which uses surplus energy to pump water into high-altitude reservoirs, generating electricity when needed, opens up a new avenue for investment in storage – the missing link for scaling up the penetration of renewables. Alongside these large-scale projects, there are opportunities on a business scale: the installation of solar panels on residential, commercial and hotel buildings; decentralised energy systems in rural communities; and the modernisation of grids using smart grid technologies and real-time monitoring.

The National Programme for Energy Sustainability (PNSE) and the continued interest from institutions such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank reduce the financing risk for those entering the market now. For SMEs, the most realistic entry point is in installation, maintenance and energy efficiency services, which require moderate capital and benefit directly from the 2030 targets.

4. Blue economy

With an exclusive economic zone that far exceeds its land area, Cape Verde is, by definition, a maritime nation, and the blue economy is the least-explored investment frontier on this list. The sector encompasses sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, fish processing and preservation, nautical tourism and maritime services, and benefits from a strategic geographical location in the Atlantic, halfway between Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Small-scale and semi-industrial fishing currently faces constraints in terms of storage and processing capacity, which creates tangible opportunities for processing facilities with export certification, cold chains and port logistics. Aquaculture, still in its infancy in the country, is identified by the Government as a priority for diversification, with favourable natural conditions on several islands. Meanwhile, nautical tourism, whale watching, diving, recreational fishing and charter services are directly linked to the growth of sustainable tourism described in section 1.

We examined this intersection between tourism and the sea in the article on Resilient tourism and the blue economy in Cape Verde. Our view is clear: anyone entering the blue economy in 2026–2027 will find a market with little organised competition, growing institutional support and direct synergies with the more mature sectors of the economy.

5. Technology and the digital economy

Cape Verde aims to position itself as a technology hub between Europe, West Africa and South America, and has been investing consistently in this ambition. The Cabo Verde Digital programme, TechPark CV – with a campus in Praia and a presence in Mindelo – and a €24 million fund for start-ups form an ecosystem that is beginning to attract companies specialising in digital services, business process outsourcing (BPO) and software development.

The competitive case is strong: a young, Portuguese-speaking workforce; a time zone aligned with Europe; institutional stability; and competitive operating costs compared with European markets. For investors, concrete opportunities include shared service centres and nearshoring for Portuguese and European companies, digital platforms for tourism (bookings, experiences, short-stay accommodation management) and fintech solutions tailored to the African context. We have outlined the potential of this ecosystem in the article on the Cape Verde’s TechPark as a technology hub for the world.

The small size of the domestic market is not an obstacle here: the successful model involves companies based in Cape Verde selling services abroad, whilst benefiting from the CIN-CV’s tax framework and support for technological entrepreneurship.

6. Agribusiness

The Cape Verdean agri-industry operates under a structural constraint – water scarcity – which is, in fact, turning into an investment opportunity. Desalination projects funded by the European Union, designed to provide drinking water and water for irrigation in rural areas, will enable the cultivation of high-value crops in regions that were previously unviable. Added to this are drip irrigation systems, precision farming and solar-powered irrigation kits for smallholders, which reduce operating costs and increase the profitability of farms.

Where is the profit? In transformation and added value, not in primary production. Dried fruit, preserves, essential oils, coffee and spices are in growing demand in European markets, and the wines of Fogo, produced at high altitude in the volcano’s caldera, are a unique product with strong export potential and the potential to create synergies with tourism. To gain access to demanding markets such as the European Union, quality certification (HACCP and ISO 22000 standards) is a prerequisite, and local businesses have been receiving technical and financial support to obtain it.

We recommend projects that combine production, processing and a strategy for exporting or supplying the domestic hotel sector, which currently imports the majority of the food products it consumes. Import substitution in the tourism sector is, in itself, a market.

7. Property and construction

The property sector in Cape Verde is driven by three mutually reinforcing sources of demand: the diaspora, which invests in owner-occupied homes and income-generating assets; foreigners, particularly Europeans, who are seeking second homes or tourism-related investments on islands such as Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente; and the expansion of tourist accommodation, which requires new properties and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The new building permits planned for 2026 confirm that the investment cycle in the sector is gathering pace.

For foreign investors, the acquisition process is relatively straightforward and secure, but it requires due diligence when verifying title deeds and understanding the tax framework — issues which we cover in the A guide to property investment in Cape Verde for foreigners. For the diaspora, the Migrant Investor Scheme and the Diaspora Bonds offer significant tax benefits, as we have detailed in the A comprehensive guide to diaspora incentives for emigrants wishing to invest in 2026.

In addition to direct procurement, there are opportunities in specialist construction, sustainable materials, energy efficiency in buildings and urban regeneration, and in promoting medium-sized projects outside the saturated markets, where the margin per square metre is currently higher.

How to get started: the next steps

Once the sector has been identified, the difference between a good investment and a failed project almost always lies in the preparation. We recommend four steps, in this order:

1. Validate the idea with a feasibility study. Before committing capital, ensure that the market, costs and projected revenues support the project. A rigorous feasibility study is also the document that banks and incentive schemes require; we explain what funders look for in the article on business plan and feasibility study in Cape Verde.
2. Choose the appropriate legal form. A limited company, a sole proprietorship or a branch each have different implications in terms of capital, liability and taxation. The right choice depends on the sector, the size of the business and the investor’s status (resident, foreign or emigrant).
3. Ensure tax compliance from day one. Registration with the tax authorities, classification for corporate income tax (IRC)/professional income tax (IRPC), VAT and reporting obligations must be finalised before the first invoice is issued. The incentives under the CIN-CV and the Emigrant Investor Statute only take effect if the classification is carried out correctly from the outset.
4. To organise access to incentives and funding. Pró-Empresa, Pró-Garantia and Pró-Capital each have their own requirements and timetables; applying early helps to avoid missing out on funding opportunities.

S&D Consultoria supports investors at every stage: feasibility studies, business plans, company formation, accounting and tax matters. If you are considering where to invest in Cape Verde, book a free meeting With us, in a 30-minute conversation, we’ll help you work out which sector and structure are best suited to your profile and your capital. Find out more about our service economic feasibility study.

Read also: Best Island for Investment in Cape Verde: 2026 Market Guide by Island

Frequently Asked Questions