In a decisive move to unlock the power of entrepreneurship and innovation, the Government of Cabo Verde, with support from the World Bank, i4Policy and legal experts Miranda & Associados, has launched a game-changing initiative to position the island nation as a startup haven.
This milestone effort, part of the broader Digital Cabo Verde Project (DCVP), centers on the creation of the Cabo Verde Startup Act a first-of-its-kind legislation designed to empower entrepreneurs and simplify business in the country.
The Startup Act is more than just a legal document. It’s a declaration of intent a commitment to build a business-friendly ecosystem where startups can thrive. The goal is clear: reduce red tape, cut down costs, attract talent and unlock funding opportunities for a new generation of innovators.
To ensure the Startup Act reflects real needs on the ground, the government has formed a Technical Working Group (TWG) made up of ecosystem champions and government representatives. These changemakers are working hand-in-hand with stakeholders from across Cabo Verde’s ten islands, ensuring that policy creation is bottom-up, inclusive and practical.
A key part of the process is ecosystem benchmarking, grounded in evidence and real data. Using tools like the Africa Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index developed by i4Policy in partnership with AGCAE and Utrecht University the initiative is measuring Cabo Verde’s startup landscape across seven vital pillars: financing, human capital, culture, infrastructure, market access, support and governance. These insights are helping shape policies that aren’t just idealistic, but actionable.
But this isn’t just a policy exercise it’s a people-powered movement. In June 2025, Policy Hackathons were held across multiple islands, drawing entrepreneurs, students, digital workers and community leaders. These forums gave voice to the very people the Act aims to serve, making the future of Cabo Verde’s startup law a shared national project.
Why now? Cabo Verde is uniquely positioned. Its archipelagic geography offers natural decentralization, its digital remote work program is already attracting global talent and its youth are eager to build. With the right legal and investment infrastructure, the country could become West Africa’s go-to hub for innovation.
As African nations like Tunisia, Senegal, and Nigeria continue to build momentum through their Startup Acts, Cabo Verde is stepping into the spotlight with a smart, collaborative, and forward-thinking approach. The Startup Act will not only support homegrown ideas but will also help address broader market failures like limited access to capital, skills gaps, and infrastructure challenges.
In the words of the initiative’s organizers: this is not just about startups. It’s about building a new economy one that is digital, inclusive and future-ready. Cabo Verde’s Startup Act is not just a law in the making; it’s a signal that Africa’s smaller nations can lead in big ways.
