The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and it is heavily dependent on conditions in the euro zone countries. 

Growth is projected to be just under 4% in 2016, a slight recovery over the previous year, but not enough to bring down debt levels. Cabo Verde is at a critical juncture with public debt approximately 125% of gross domestic product (GDP) end-2015. 

The Government of Cape Verde (GOCV) looks to both private and foreign investment as the engine for the country’s future economic growth

A commentary from the US Department of State on the business environment and advice to exporters to Cabo Verde

This World Bank site ranks the ease of doing business in Cabo Verde versus other countries

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Cabo Verde.

This World Bank site ranks the ease of doing business in Cabo Verde versus other countries

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Cabo Verde.

Individuals can be taxed under two different tax methods: declarative (self-assessment method) and final withholding method. For those individuals suject to personal income tax, it will be at rates ranging between 16.5% and 27.5%.

This World Bank site reports the Cabo Verde VAT rate at 15.5%

Resident companies are subject to a tax rate of 25%, where taxable income corresponds to the profit less any tax benefits and any losses carried forward, as stated in the tax return. The tax rate of 25% is also applicable for PEs of non-resident companies.

This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes and complying with postfiling procedures.

US citizens see “Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements” on this US Department of State site

Expedited visa service for citizens of most countries

61 tips on getting to and getting around Cape Verde from real travelers and locals.

Catching local transport in Cape Verde – transport tips on getting around Cape Verde like a local

Extensive modernization took place from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995. Major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched in 2004

Cape Verde sports two mobile phone operators. Mobile phone operator Cabo Verde Telecom monopolised the Cape Verde telecom market, seeing competition in 2008 with the launch of GSM operator T+

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Cabo Verde.

In 2014, Cabo Verde made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Cabo Verde.

Commentary on the government’s imporovement of unemployment benefits announced in January, 2016

Get the Cape Verde weather forecast. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos

Petty crime and burglary are common in Cabo Verde, especially in marketplaces, and at festivals, street fairs, and public gatherings. Criminals do not necessarily target U.S. citizens, but rather anyone perceived to be affluent, regardless of nationality.

Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Cape Verde – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.

This site provides a monthly comparison of sunshine and temperature between Cabo Verde and London.

Cost of living comparisons in more than 1,600 cities all over the world

Be vigilant at all times and avoid unlit areas after dark. Sexual assaults have been reported. Leave valuables in a hotel safe if possible. Petty crime like pick-pocketing or purse snatching is common, often carried out by children.

Education takes something of a back-seat in the Cape Verde Islands to the west of the bulge of Africa. Despite government policy that 6 years of primary education is compulsory, the literacy rate is only 70%, and just half of primary school pupils study further.

This site provides a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Cape Verde with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools 

List of all public holidays in Cape Verde 2016. Here are all public and the most important regional holidays in Cape Verde for the year 2016 and following

Cape Verde 2016 / 2017 Public Holidays, Bank Holidays, Government Holidays, School Holidays, Festivals

See “People and Society” on this CIA site

Survival in a country with few natural resources has historically induced Cape Verdeans to emigrate. In fact, of the more than 1 million people of Cape Verdean ancestry in the world, only a little more than one-third actually live on the islands. 

This site provides a detailed summary of the time and cost associated with the logistical process of exporting and importing goods. 

A summary of import and export regulations for Cobo Verde

This site provides key information on Cabo Verde’s participation in the WTO. Cabo Verde has been a member of the WTO since 23 July 2008.

This fisheries agreement allows EU vessels from Spain, Portugal and France to fish in Cape Verdean waters and is part of the tuna network fisheries agreements in West Africa.

This site provides links to hotels on most of the major islands of Cabo Verde

Most luxury hotels are located near the city center and are near popular tourist destinations and landmarks.

The island has an interesting history, having been a slave island and a pirate haunt, but today it is stable and peaceful. These paradisiacal islands are unspoiled and largely undiscovered, so there are no crowds, and vacations are cheaper than for many other tropical destinations.

This site has a lot of good travel information for a visitor to Cabo Verde including transportation, climate, food, safety and more