Cape Verde Uses Technology to Bring People Home

Cape Verde, a group of islands off the coast of West Africa, is working on a bold plan to change its future. For a long time, the country has faced a problem known as 'brain drain.' This happens when many of a country's most talented and educated people move to other nations to find better work. Now, the government is using technology to create new opportunities and encourage its people to stay or return home.

According to The Guardian Business, Pedro Fernandes Lopes is leading this effort. As the secretary of state for the digital economy, he wants Cape Verde to become a center for technology in Africa. The government has a big goal: they want the digital sector to make up one-quarter of the country’s total economy by 2030. This plan became even more important after the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused a drop in tourism, the country's main source of money. By focusing on technology, the government hopes to make the economy more diverse and less dependent on visitors.

There are several reasons why this plan might work. The Guardian Business reports that the country has already made great progress in digital infrastructure. Today, 75% of people in Cape Verde have access to the internet, which is twice the average for the African continent. The government is also investing in education, teaching children how to code and use robotics. Furthermore, new undersea cables are being built under the Atlantic Ocean to provide faster and more reliable internet connections. Interestingly, these cables follow some of the same paths that were used hundreds of years ago during the slave trade. Pedro Fernandes Lopes noted that while history repeats itself, each generation has the chance to write a new story.

One of the most important parts of this plan is TechParkCV. This is a large technology center that cost over 44 million pounds to build. It provides space for new businesses, training for young people, and a place to hold large meetings. Jessica Sanches Tavares, an adviser at TechParkCV, moved back to Cape Verde after living in France for most of her life. She says that there is a strong energy and a real desire to build something new in the country. According to The Guardian Business, the facility has already attracted about two dozen companies. These businesses benefit from being in a special economic zone, which offers lower taxes and other financial advantages.

This project is not just about local growth; it is also about connecting with the millions of Cape Verdeans living abroad. The country’s diaspora—the people of Cape Verdean origin living in other parts of the world—is three to four times larger than the population living on the islands. By creating a modern digital environment, the government hopes to make it easy for these people to work remotely for companies around the world while living in Cape Verde. This would allow them to use their skills to help their home country grow.

Looking ahead, the country is preparing for a major event. In December, Cape Verde will host the Web Summit, one of the biggest technology conferences in the world. This will be the first time the event is held on the African continent. It is a sign that the international community is beginning to see Cape Verde as a serious player in the global technology market.

While there are still challenges to overcome, many people feel positive about the future. The government is not working alone; they are using loans from groups like the African Development Bank to fund these expensive projects. If they succeed, Cape Verde could serve as a model for other nations that want to use technology to keep their citizens at home and build a stronger, more independent economy. For a country with such a long and difficult history, this digital shift represents a new, hopeful chapter.