Background

The Digital Cabo Verde Project (DCVP) is a national flagship initiative launched by the Government of Cabo Verde with $20 million (now $40 million) in funding from the World Bank. The project aims to transform Cabo Verde into a regional digital hub by strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting innovation, enhancing digital competitiveness, and building public sector digital capacities. The project envisions positioning Cabo Verde as a preferred destination for digital services, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Africa.

DCVP is built around three core pillars:

Component 1: Enabling Legal and Regulatory Environment — Modernizing the legal and policy frameworks to support a thriving digital economy.
Component 2: Digital Competitiveness — Equipping individuals, startups, and businesses to succeed in the digital economy.
Component 3: Digital Public Services and Markets — Expanding digital service delivery and improving public sector efficiency.

Through these components, the DCVP seeks to:

Accelerate Cabo Verde's economic growth through digital transformation.
Improve digital skills across the public and private sectors.
Increase broadband access and data infrastructure.
Strengthen governance and regulatory systems for a digital future.

The DCVP aligns with Cabo verde’s strategic vision, as outlined in the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS), and aims not only to increase digital competitiveness but also to foster a favorable environment for the growth of startups and technology-based companies. Furthermore, the project reinforces Cabo Verde’s commitment to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in terms of innovation, infrastructure, and reducing digital inequalities.

The implementation of the DCVP involves collaboration among various government entities, the private sector, and international partners, ensuring that digital transformation is sustainable, inclusive, and accessible to all Cape Verdean citizens.

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Component 2 of the DCVP focuses on strengthening Cabo Verde’s tech and innovation ecosystem by promoting digitalization of key sectors, and supporting youth skills development, startup incubation, innovation hubs, diaspora engagement, and startup-related policy reforms. It is the largest coordinated effort in Cabo Verde’s history aimed specifically at accelerating the growth of its startup and tech economy.