Portugal & Cape Verde Partner for Strategic Blue Economy Hub
The presidents of Cape Verde and Portugal have identified the ocean as the next great frontier for bilateral cooperation, urging private sector involvement to unlock the sustainable potential of the seas.
A Blue Economy Partnership
In a summary of his three-day state visit to Cape Verde, Portuguese President António José Seguro highlighted the Atlantic as an area of “enormous potential.” While pointing to existing successful collaboration between the two nations’ Armed Forces, Seguro emphasized that the future lies in deeper integration regarding maritime research and sustainable resource management.
“The oceans are an open area for cooperation,” Seguro noted. “It is an area that can and must be developed, and this cooperation then multiplies into other domains.”
The Portuguese head of state also framed the initiative within a broader geopolitical context, noting that the sea is a unifying factor for all members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). “All states that are members of the community have contact with the sea,” he added, suggesting the blue economy could become a cornerstone for the entire Lusophone world.
Expanding Horizons: Research and Healthcare
Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves echoed this sentiment, envisioning a future defined by “considerable growth in investment, training, research, and cooperation between universities.”
However, the maritime focus will not come at the expense of other vital sectors. Neves specifically highlighted the healthcare industry as a primary target for expansion. He expressed hope for new joint ventures that would bring together Portuguese hospitals, universities, and private companies to bolster Cape Verde’s medical infrastructure.
“If there is something very concrete in Cape Verde, it is the contribution that Portugal has made to the growth and development of this country,” Neves stated.
Agreements Giving Way to Action
The visit comes at a time of accelerating diplomatic activity. Since the 2025 summit, the two nations have signed 30 bilateral cooperation instruments. President Seguro remarked that the partnership has reached such a “high speed” that formal agreements may eventually become a secondary formality to the natural momentum of their shared projects.
Speaking to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier, Seguro praised the tangible results seen throughout his trip, stating it was “extremely gratifying” to witness Portuguese-Cape Verdean investments in action across the archipelago.
The Portuguese President concluded the Boa Vista leg of his trip with a visit to the Morro de Areia Nature Reserve. His final itinerary includes stops at the Agostinho Neto Hospital, the Praia City Technology Park, and a final meeting with the local Portuguese community.
Image: Pexels – Thomas Schwaak
