Cape Verde to Launch Ultra-Low Inter-Island Fares Study
The Cape Verdean government is moving forward with a major campaign promise to slash travel costs across the archipelago. Starting August 1, a specialized technical team will begin the financial and operational groundwork to implement a flat 500-escudo (€4.53) maritime fare, slated to go into effect in January 2027.
Affordable Transit by Sea and Air
Minister of the Sea João do Carmo announced the initiative on Monday, noting that the study will not be limited to the ocean. The technical team is also tasked with evaluating the feasibility of a 5,000-escudo (€45.35) fare for inter-island air travel.
“The mission of this team is to run the numbers and map out exactly how we can achieve the 500-escudo maritime fare,” do Carmo stated. “We will present the full implementation procedure for both maritime and air transport within 100 days.”
Budgetary Implications
Lowering travel costs for citizens will require significant government backing. The Minister acknowledged that these subsidized fares will have a substantial impact on the State Budget. To accommodate the new financial realities and finalize the fiscal year, the government plans to present a rectifying budget to the National Assembly in the coming days.
Fulfilling Election Promises
These transportation reforms are a cornerstone of the new administration’s platform. The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), led by Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho, ascended to power following the May 17 legislative elections on a wave of social reform slogans.
Beyond affordable transit, the government’s ambitious agenda includes the establishment of a public university and the implementation of free healthcare services for all Cape Verdeans.
Image: Pexels – Ana Marta Jorge
