Cape Verde Launches Digital Portal for Creative Industries
The Cape Verdean government has taken a major leap toward modernizing its cultural landscape with the launch of a new digital platform designed to streamline the creative industries. Unveiled today in the capital city of Praia, the portal aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, centralize funding opportunities, and strengthen the connection between artists and state institutions.
A Digital Hub for the Arts
Developed by the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries, the platform serves as a “one-stop shop” for the nation’s artistic community. It centralizes details on public notices, services, and grant competitions, while allowing professionals to submit applications and official documents digitally for the first time.
Speaking at the launch event, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva emphasized that the initiative is a response to the demands of the modern era. “We are in a digital age where everything is instantaneous,” said the Prime Minister. “Our institutional relations and service delivery must be interoperable facilitators that make bureaucracy lighter.”
The ‘Arts Desk’ and the Artist Statute
The initiative introduces several features tied to the upcoming “Balcão das Artes” (Arts Desk). This includes a simplified system for requesting official artist declarations online. However, the most significant innovation will be the integration of the “Artist Statute” once the pending decree is officially promulgated.
The Prime Minister noted that this statute will represent a structural shift for the sector, allowing artistic work to be recognized as a formal economic activity. This classification will grant creators unprecedented access to:
- Formal financing and credit lines
- Dedicated tax incentives
- Social protection, including sick leave and retirement benefits
Global Ambitions
Beyond individual benefits, the government views digitalization as a vital tool for the internationalization of Cape Verdean culture. By migrating services online, the executive intends to increase the global visibility of local talent and open doors to new international markets.
The government maintains that these digital tools are creating the necessary conditions to transform the creative industries into a structured, organized sector that drives sustainable income, employment, and professional opportunities across the archipelago.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
