Cape Verde President Signs 2026 Budget for Health & Education
President José Maria Neves has officially signed Cape Verde’s 2026 Amending State Budget into law, authorizing a total expenditure of 103.9 billion escudos (€942 million). The move, announced by the Presidency on Monday, follows the bill’s recent approval by the National Assembly.
A Strategic Pivot in Spending
The revised budget represents a significant adjustment from the original 95.6 billion escudo (€868 million) plan drafted by the previous Movement for Democracy (MpD) administration. When the current executive took office in June, budgetary execution projections were already nearing 104 billion escudos, necessitating a formal reorganization of national resources.
While the overall proposal slightly reduces projected public spending by 0.1%, it strategically redirects funds toward critical social sectors, including education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Boosting Social Safety Nets and Healthcare
The Amending Budget introduces targeted funding increases to support the country’s most vulnerable citizens and improve public infrastructure:
- Education: An additional 139 million escudos (€1.26 million) has been allocated to the sector.
- Social Protection: 50 million escudos (€453,000) will be funneled into social benefits for low-income families.
- Public Health: The “Health for All” program receives a 100 million escudo (€907,000) boost.
- Medical Supplies: 300 million escudos (€2.72 million) is earmarked for essential medications, specifically focusing on oncology treatments and kidney transplant services.
The Presidency confirmed that the bill was submitted for promulgation on August 6, just over a week after the Government first presented the revision on July 29. The new budget aims to balance fiscal responsibility with the urgent need to bolster Cape Verde’s social services under the new administration.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
