On April 3, 2025, in Praia, Cape Verde, an ECOWAS mission led by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Sediko DOUKA, accompanied by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cape Verde and the Director and Acting Program Officer of the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), paid a visit to the Minister of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, and Housing of Cape Verde.

The agenda included a meeting regarding ECOWAS’s support for the development of the 2025–2040 infrastructuremaster plan. Cape Verde’s support for this transformative initiative is twofold:

1. Financial support: a grant of $50, 000 to support the development of the national infrastructure plan.

2. Technical assistance from the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU) to provide strategic guidance on the planning, technical review, and implementation of the master plan.

On the occasion of the official launch of ECOWAS’s support and the presentation of a symbolic check to support the initiative, the Commissioner, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cape Verde, particularly to His Excellency José Maria Neves, for the invitation to participate in the development of Cape Verde’s National Infrastructure Plan. He reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to helping all member states establish sound policiesand regulatory frameworksto improve the delivery of infrastructure services.

This initiative to develop the master plan comes at a historic moment, just weeks before ECOWAS’s anniversary, which marks 50 years of service and regional cooperation. As ECOWAS celebrates this important milestone, the commitment to improving the quality ofinfrastructure services, connectivity, economic growth, and shared prosperity for all citizens of the region remains stronger than ever.

For his part, Victor Coutinho, Minister of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, and Housing, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for its support. He reiterated that this 2025-2024 National InfrastructureMaster Plan will provide a comprehensive framework covering all sectors of economic and social infrastructure to stimulate Cape Verde’s economic development, growth, and regional integration. The statements were followed by the symbolic presentation of a check for $50,000.

Following the official ceremony, the PPDU team held technical working sessionswith the Cape Verde Infrastructure (ICV) team to develop a clear roadmap for the next steps.

The ECOWAS delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration, His Excellency José Filomeno Monteiro, and took advantage of the mission to meet with the Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, Dr. Pedro Lopes, to discuss the Amílcar Cabral Submarine Cable Telecommunications Project. The issue of Cape Verde’s financial participation in the project, the establishment of a national special-purpose vehicle (SPV), the finalization of the headquarters agreement for the ECOWAS representation, and the operationalization of the National Early Warning Office were among the topics discussed with the twoministers. The ECOWAS National Cell in Cape Verde also participated in all the meetings.

The ECOWAS delegation expresses its appreciation to the government and people of Cape Verde for their warm welcome and their commitment to regional cooperation. This collaboration underscores Cape Verde’s commitment to the principles of regional integration, solidarity, and shared prosperity.

As ECOWAS looks ahead to the next 50 years, the Commission remains committed to its vision of enhancing connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and improving infrastructure services for all citizens.