Cabo Verde Charts a Green Path under the AfCFTA through Joint UN Support

Praia, Cabo Verde, 3 October 2025 (ECA) - The Government of Cabo Verde, in collaboration with the United Nations system - through the Resident Coordinator's Office and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) - and in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, successfully concluded a Sensitization and Green Supplement Workshop on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), held in Praia from 30 September to 3 October 2025, with support from the Government of Denmark. The workshop gathered more than 50 participants from government institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society, including a strong representation of youth and women entrepreneurs.

The event marked a major milestone in strengthening Cabo Verde's readiness for AfCFTA implementation and advancing the country's green and blue economy agenda as part of its transition towards sustainable and inclusive growth.

Commitment to Sustainable and Inclusive Trade

In her remarks, Ms. Patrícia Portela de Souza, UN Resident Coordinator in Cabo Verde, underlined the importance of empowering local entrepreneurs to seize opportunities under the AfCFTA:

"The AfCFTA is not only a trade agreement - it is a platform for innovation, youth engagement, and inclusive growth. Cabo Verde's participation sends a strong message of commitment to sustainable and equitable development."

Mr. Rito Évora, National Director of Industry, Trade and Energy, emphasized Cabo Verde's ambition to embed sustainability within its trade strategy:

"The Green Supplement will help Cabo Verde align its trade ambitions with its energy transition and environmental goals - ensuring that our integration into the continental market is both competitive and sustainable."

Participants Highly Satisfied with the Workshop

Participants rated the workshop as highly successful:

According to the Preliminary Results Report, participants rated the workshop as highly successful:

• 93% confirmed that the workshop's objectives were fully achieved;
• 86% reported a significant improvement in their understanding of AfCFTA mechanisms;
• The average satisfaction score reached 4.7 out of 5, reflecting excellence in content, organization, and facilitation.

Participants particularly commended the technical depth of sessions delivered by ECA and AfCFTA Secretariat experts, the relevance of discussions to Cabo Verde's trade priorities, and the strong logistical coordination led by MITE.

"This workshop has helped us better understand how the AfCFTA can open new opportunities for our businesses and promote sustainable growth for Cabo Verde," shared one participant from the private sector.

Key Outcomes and Lessons Learned

The workshop contributed to strengthening national capacity to implement the AfCFTA, providing stakeholders with a clearer understanding of Cabo Verde's niche within regional and continental value chains - particularly in blue economy sectors such as sustainable fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy.

Key lessons emerging from the discussions include:

• Improved understanding of AfCFTA protocols on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Women and Youth in Trade, and Digital Trade;
• Recognition of new opportunities to leverage AfCFTA mechanisms for SME development, investment promotion, and green industrialization;

Strong demand for more interactive learning formats, deeper private-sector and youth engagement, and practical sessions on financing instruments to support AfCFTA implementation.

ECA and National Authorities to Advance the Green Supplement

A central achievement of the mission was the endorsement by MITE of the draft outline and workplan for the Green Supplement to Cabo Verde's National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The supplement aims to integrate sustainable trade, climate resilience, and blue economy priorities into national trade planning.

About the AfCFTA

Established in 2018, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates the world's largest single market, encompassing 54 African countries and over 1.4 billion people. It aims to promote intra-African trade, industrialization, and sustainable development across the continent.

For more informationUnited Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, Cabo Verde Email: [email protected] United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Email: https://www.uneca.org">[email protected]https://www.uneca.org/atpc

Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: [email protected]