Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva described TechParkCV – the Cape Verde Technology Park – as “a space that connects Cape Verde to the world.”
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the facility’s hub in the capital city, Praia, on Monday, May 5, the Prime Minister said the TechPark brings together established companies, startups, and entrepreneurs—both seasoned and just starting out—into a shared working environment.
According to Correia e Silva, his government views the park as a crucial place for changing attitudes so that especially the youth can believe in what’s possible.
“You [young people] must create a spirit of confidence and belief here. While many think it’s impossible and look abroad for opportunities, this is an example that it is possible. If you want, you can achieve everything you think you must go elsewhere for—right here,” he urged.
The TechPark is part of a broader national Digital Economy Strategy, rooted in an ambitious vision to transform Cape Verde into a digital, inclusive, connected, and globally integrated nation. The initiative has two main objectives:
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- Position Cape Verde as a regional digital hub in Africa, capable of producing and exporting high-quality digital services, creating quality jobs for young people, and attracting skills and talent from the Cape Verdean diaspora.
- Modernize and improve the efficiency of state services, making them more accessible to citizens and businesses through digitalization and interoperable systems across healthcare, education, transportation, security, justice, international trade, and the business environment.
“I’ve visited several technology parks and coworking spaces around the world, and this one holds up to any I’ve seen,” stated the Prime Minister.
He emphasized the role of the state as a facilitator. “We need a government that simplifies processes, and digital tools help us eliminate small bureaucratic powers that thrive on red tape. Digital also democratizes access to quality services,” he said, explaining the government’s strong push for digitization.
The government is implementing the Digital Economy Strategy by investing in education, professional training, digital entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and business appeal—all to build a robust, export-oriented digital economy and drive digital transformation.
The Prime Minister was clear about his ambitions:
“We want to build a solid foundation for a digital nation—anchored in education and the digital transformation of our education system, both in curriculum and in teaching methods and technologies, including English language skills.”
Due to the importance of English, the government has shifted the start of English instruction from Grade 7 to Grade 5, aiming for fluency by Grade 12. As the Prime Minister noted, English is the language of technology and global connectivity, and thus essential.
“Education is transformative. With a broad base of educated children and youth, we break the cycle of poverty passed down through generations while expanding the potential for discovering talent,” he emphasized.
“A Tool of Digital Sovereignty”
Carlos Miguel Monteiro, CEO of TechParkCV, called the facility “a national instrument of digital sovereignty”—a hub for empowerment, youth retention, and Cape Verde’s visibility in global knowledge-based value chains.
“In a world of constant disruption, this kind of response is urgent. This is not just a tech park. With this official launch, Cape Verde declares itself ambitious and courageous in pursuing digital transformation, innovation, and knowledge as drivers of development,” he said.
TechParkCV represents the realization of a vision and a strategy. Despite geographic limitations and scarce resources, Cape Verde is betting big on intangible assets like talent, creativity, science, and technology.
“We are clearly stating: we want to compete with the best, attract investment, create qualified jobs, and diversify our economy based on digital innovation,” said Monteiro.
The facility hosts tech companies, research centers, training spaces, labs, and innovative projects that directly impact Cape Verde’s real economy. The aim is to create a vibrant space that connects science with the market, youth with the future, and public with private sectors.
“With the Park, we are opening doors to a new economy, a new generation of entrepreneurs, and a new global positioning for Cape Verde,” he declared.
This project is part of a broader government-led strategy to create a special technology zone with tailored regulations and incentives to turn Cape Verde into a tech hub and a competitive digital services destination.
“This is only the beginning. With this trust, we reaffirm our commitment to make TechPark a strategic national asset for the country’s economic and social development,” Monteiro pledged.
A Living Infrastructure
As part of the government’s commitment to digital transformation for economic diversification, TechParkCV has established foundations around inclusion, innovation, competitiveness, and digital resilience.
Significant investments in international connectivity—such as submarine cables—are positioning Cape Verde as a digital bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Though launched in 2017, the TechPark began operations in November 2023. The formal openings of the Praia and Mindelo hubs on May 5 and 6, 2025, respectively, cement the foundation of a tech-focused innovation ecosystem.
Already, the TechPark is thriving:
- Around 400 people are employed there.
- Since 2024, it has hosted over 50 events.
- The coworking space has active clients.
- 23 resident companies from 7 countries (Angola, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Cape Verde) occupy 50 offices.
The business plan envisions 30 companies operating by 2030, creating 1,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect ones. Total investment in construction and equipment reached approximately $56.5 million.
The Praia Hub Includes Five Key Components:
- Business Center: Modular offices, an 80-seat auditorium, and a modern, flexible corporate environment.
- Training Center: Focused on human capital development through training and certification.
- Conference Center: A modern event space with a 400-seat auditorium and VIP rooms for debate and innovation.
- Incubation Center: A launchpad for startups and transformative ideas, with multi-purpose rooms and community support.
- Data Centers: Equipped with cutting-edge technology.
Additionally, 14 plots in Praia are ready for future construction, aimed at attracting private investment to fulfill Cape Verde’s digital strategy.
The Mindelo hub shares this vision, featuring a Data Center, coworking areas, offices, meeting rooms, auditoriums, and cafés—establishing itself as a strategic point for technological development in the region.
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