Cabo Verde is setting its sights on becoming a digital hub in West Africa, with significant investments aimed at modernizing public services and boosting the economy. The government has outlined plans to digitize 60% of public services by 2026, with aspirations to reach over 80% by 2030. Key initiatives include the Weblabs program, which educates nearly 14,000 students in digital fields, and Cabo Verde Digital's efforts to foster innovation among startups.
The country's focus on digital transformation extends beyond its borders. The Cabo Verde Consular Portal, operational since February 2019, represents a shift in how the diaspora interacts with state services. "In the past, the consular system was characterized by long waiting times," says Octávio Correia from Cabo Verde's diplomatic missions' Digital Transformation Project. Eurico Monteiro, Ambassador to Portugal, emphasizes that improving service quality became urgent: "Starting the embassy's digital transformation process became urgent because our service no longer met the expectations of our citizens."
Users like Evandra Moreira have experienced this change firsthand: "The experience of renewing my passport was fantastic." The portal offers various consular services online and aims to reduce queues significantly while enhancing user experience.
This transformation is supported by NOSi and private companies under government backing. It includes training consular staff for better digital literacy and has seen a substantial increase in portal usage—up by more than 45% last year according to Eurico Correia Monteiro.
The World Bank Group-funded portal processes over half of applications within one day and has reduced document issuance time by 85%. This model will be expanded into a single public administration portal set for launch in January 2025.
Cabo Verde's commitment to digital advancement seeks not only efficiency but also stronger ties with its diaspora through improved access to essential services.