Between January 21 and 31, the mission to support the implementation and additional financing of the Digital Cape Verde Project was underway, involving close collaboration between World Bank teams and some Cape Verdean public sector leaders. On the last day of the mission, a working session was held in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia, which brought together key representatives to evaluate the activities carried out and the results achieved.

 

The session, co-chaired by the Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, Pedro Lopes, was attended by the Coordinator of the UGPE, Nuno Gomes, and the manager of the Cabo Verde Digital Project, Guevara Cruz, as well as other senior representatives and sectoral focal points. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed the Cape Verdean government’s commitment to digital transformation, stressing that the strategic pillars defined, combined with robust leadership and inter-institutional collaboration, are essential for achieving the proposed objectives.

 

In the wake of this new vision for the project, the need for additional funding was highlighted. The request for this contribution is already being sent to the World Bank, with the aim of defining the amount needed to enable the expansion and consolidation of the digital initiatives.

 

Indira Campos, representing the World Bank, expressed satisfaction with the level of disbursement already achieved and emphasized the importance of continuing joint efforts. She also pointed out that some initiatives require adjustments in order to be fully developed, stressing that alignment with the government’s vision and coordination between all those involved are critical factors for the project’s success.

The UGPE, responsible for implementation, acknowledged the challenges faced, but also highlighted the significant progress made so far. The next steps include working together with partners to resolve outstanding issues for the completion of the current project and launching the tenders linked to the additional funding. In addition, holding regular Steering Committee meetings was highlighted as a key measure to strengthen coordination and ensure the project’s continued progress.

The additional funding covers a diverse set of initiatives, with a strategic review of their components. This approach aims to ensure a homogeneous and decentralized implementation of digital infrastructures, promoting the consolidation of a more structured and integrated digital ecosystem in Cape Verde.

In conclusion, the mission reaffirms the importance of the engagement of all sectors and government leadership to drive an inclusive and effective digital evolution. The progress made so far demonstrates the potential of the Digital Cape Verde Project to transform the country’s digital landscape, with the continued support of the World Bank and all the partners involved.