Cape Verde PM Vows to Curb Migration with New Opportunities
The government of Cape Verde is launching a new initiative to curb mass migration by transforming the island nation into a place where citizens can “realize their dreams” without having to move abroad, Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho announced in Lisbon on Wednesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of a round table discussion titled “Cape Verde and Portugal: Knowledge, Mobilities, and the Future” at NOVA University Lisbon, Carvalho identified job creation as his administration’s “greatest social project.” The Prime Minister’s official visit to Portugal includes high-level meetings with the vast Cape Verdean diaspora.
Reclaiming the “Cape Verdean Dream”
While acknowledging that migration is often driven by personal motivations, Carvalho argued that the state must intervene to make staying a viable—and attractive—option. “The State can improve conditions in the contexts of origin,” he said. “We must create conditions so that individuals begin to believe it is possible to realize their dreams at home.”
To achieve this, the government is prioritizing three key pillars: education, employment, and housing.
1. Higher Education as a Bridge to Opportunity
Carvalho highlighted the implementation of free access to public universities in Cape Verde as a critical turning point. By providing training opportunities to those who lack the means to study abroad, the government aims to keep talented young people in the country and maintain their hope for a local future.
2. The “Greatest Social Project”: Jobs
The Prime Minister emphasized that the state’s primary role is to facilitate private sector growth. By fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, the government hopes to provide the professional stability young people currently seek in Europe.
3. Dignified Housing
Addressing the housing crisis is also a priority. “Housing is a dream, and often people leave precisely in search of realizing that dream,” Carvalho noted, pledging to increase the quantity and quality of affordable homes.
A Growing Urge to Leave
The government’s strategy comes at a critical time. A July study by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) revealed that approximately 65% of young Cape Verdeans surveyed in 2025 intended to emigrate, citing unemployment and low wages as their primary reasons.
Mobility between the archipelago and Europe is surging. According to Portuguese embassy records, visa applications jumped 62% in 2025 compared to 2023, with work visas alone reaching nearly 6,900 last year.
Strengthening Academic Ties
The Rector of NOVA University, Paulo Pereira, welcomed the Prime Minister—himself a sociology alumnus of the institution. Pereira noted that Cape Verdeans represent the seventh-largest foreign nationality at NOVA, with women making up nearly 70% of that group. He expressed a desire to deepen cooperation with the University of Cape Verde to foster academic exchange and professional growth.
A Call to the Polls
Beyond socio-economic policy, Carvalho urged the diaspora to engage politically. With presidential elections scheduled for November 15, the Prime Minister called for a “mass” turnout.
“We all have to vote so we can express our choices and participate directly in building the future of Cape Verde,” he said. The upcoming election features five candidates, including incumbent President José Maria Neves, who is seeking a second term.
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