The wind blows strong on the island of São Vicente. Waves crash against the black rocks, and in the port of Mindelo, fishermen repair their nets under the sun. Here, in the heart of the Atlantic, a small archipelago is quietly charting a singular course: that of an economy turned toward the sea, sustainable, innovative, and resolutely African.
An archipelago where the sea is a given
Cape Verde, with its ten volcanic islands scattered 500 km off the coast of Senegal, has no great land-based resources. Little fresh water, little arable land. But it possesses an immense wealth: the ocean.
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“We have always lived with the sea, but today we are learning to live from the sea differently,” says Rosa Andrade, oceanographer and adviser to the Ministry of Maritime Economy. The country has made the blue economy a national priority. A strategic choice in a world in search of sustainability.
Nearly 99% of Cape Verde’s exclusive economic zone is maritime, covering more than 700,000 km² of ocean. A vastness that harbors precious fishery resources, considerable energy potential, and strategic maritime routes.
Artisanal fishing at the heart of the transformation
At the break of day, dozens of colorful boats leave the beaches of Palmeira or Tarrafal. Artisanal fishing remains a vital activity for thousands of families. But it is evolving.
“Before, we sold the fish raw, at auction. Now, we are learning to process it, preserve it, and add value to it,” explains José Lima, a fisherman for 27 years in São Nicolau. Thanks to local cooperatives and European aid, processing units have emerged. Drying, smoking, vacuum-packing: Cape Verdean fish is now exported as far as Europe.
The government has launched an ambitious infrastructure modernization program: rehabilitated ports, cold storage facilities, training centers. The goal? To move from subsistence fishing to a competitive and sustainable industry.
Marine tourism: between ecotourism and sustainable diving
On the island of Sal, white sandy beaches attract more than 800,000 visitors every year. But Cape Verde wants to go beyond beach tourism. It is now betting on sustainable marine tourism.
“We offer boat trips to observe whales and turtles, but always in respect of the ecosystems,” explains Fatou Diogo, an ecotourism guide in Boa Vista. Coral reefs, shipwrecks, and marine nature reserves are becoming major assets for attracting a more environmentally conscious clientele.
Protected areas have been established, and tourism operators are trained in the preservation of marine habitats. In 2022, the marine tourism sector generated more than 150 million euros, accounting for nearly 20% of the country’s tourism revenue.
Marine energy: a bet on the future
The wind blows strong in Cape Verde, but the sea also holds immense energy potential. The country is actively exploring renewable marine energies.
“We are currently testing technologies for converting wave and marine current energy,” explains Celso Monteiro, an engineer at the University of Praia. Partnerships with European institutes allow for the testing of prototypes of underwater turbines and wave energy buoys.
The goal is ambitious: to reach 50% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030. Already, several islands such as Brava and Santo Antão operate partially on wind and solar energy. The ocean could complete this green equation.
Blue and inclusive governance
Cape Verde does not merely exploit the sea: it wants to protect it. In 2019, the country adopted a national strategy for the blue economy, built around sustainability, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
“The blue economy must not reproduce the inequalities of the classical economy,” insists Maria Lopes, sociologist and member of the National Council for the Sea. Targeted programs support women in the fishing industry, young people in maritime trades, and coastal communities in resource management.
Cape Verde also actively participates in the surveillance of its waters, in collaboration with the African Union and the International Maritime Organization. The fight against illegal fishing, which costs the African continent more than 2 billion dollars every year, is a priority.
An emerging African model?
Cape Verde is an inspiration. Several African countries, from Senegal to Madagascar, are closely observing its integrated and pragmatic approach to the blue economy. In 2023, the archipelago hosted the first African Conference on Blue Growth, bringing together more than 30 delegations.
“What Cape Verde shows is that a small country can have a big vision,” summarizes Professor Kwame Bayo, a Ghanaian expert in maritime policies. A vision where the sea is no longer merely a space to exploit, but a common good to preserve.
On a continent where more than 70% of major cities are coastal and where the oceans represent a colossal economic potential, Cape Verde is charting a course. Quiet, but resolute. A course that raises a question: what if Africa’s future were also to be decided out beyond its shores?
