Education as a tool for national construction
The government invests heavily in education and training policy, seeing it as a means of developing its young nation, finding and qualifying manpower and improving living conditions for the population. In 2011, a third of the national population was enrolled in school, but only 5% had access to higher education. The first university was created in 2001 by private initiative; the only existing public university only came into being in 2006. In 1990, education was restructured through a succession of reforms to modernize it, resulting in the current system. Since then, great strides have been made towards solving the problem of illiteracy, which still affects 12% of the population.
Tourism
Since the late 1990s, the tourism industry has been a fundamental resource for Cape Verde. A diverse territory, unspoiled landscapes and a pure climate: ecotourism is king, rivaled only by a growing seaside tourism industry. This has not failed to attract investors, as on the island of Sal, but fortunately all-inclusive resorts (an economic windfall for some, an ecological absurdity for others) have only become established in certain areas. The country's nautical assets (all sailing and sea sports are practiced) are further enhanced by the surrounding serenity. Cape Verde's economy is 25% dependent on tourism, with a record 900,000 tourists expected in 2023. Like everywhere else, the pandemic has affected the economy, causing it to plummet due to a lack of visitors, and the country is counting on a rapid recovery.
The eternal problem of water shortages
Water management remains the top priority. Speaking at COP 26, the Prime Minister called on rich countries to provide aid and take more committed action against global warming. Indeed, with a scarcity of water resources highly problematic, Cape Verde is once again faced with droughts that particularly affect livestock and agriculture. Rainfall accounts for 80% of water resources, without which it would be impossible to recharge water tables and meet current needs. Many inhabitants receive their water by truck, and have to buy it by the liter at government-run stations.
The ambitious and controversial Chinese-funded mega-project
China has become one of Cape Verde's main partners: it has built much of the country's modern infrastructure, from the National Assembly to the universities, and has major projects underway. Considered the biggest investment ever made in the archipelago, the Cape Verde Integrated Resort & Casino project orchestrated by billionaire David Chow, has already got off the ground following the laying of the foundation stone in 2016. In exchange for this investment, Chow received a 25-year operating license and exclusive rights to operate online gambling throughout the country. This gigantic project, costing a total of 275 million (or 15% of GDP), will include a 250-room hotel-casino, offices, real estate projects, retail outlets, restaurants, a convention center, a museum, a clubhouse and a marina, all on the islet of Santa Maria, which will radically change the port of Praia and the capital itself.
