Cape Verde Receives $50,000 From ECOWAS to Draw Up Her 2025-2040 Infrastructure Master Plan.

By Ferdinand Olise

The government of Cape Verde has received $50,000 as grant from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS, whose Mission led by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, Mr Sediko Douka, visited the Cape Verdean Minister for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing.

The Commissioner Mr Douka was accompanied on the mission by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cape Verde, and the Acting Director and Programme Officer of the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU).

On the occasion of the official launch of the ECOWAS support to Cape Verde, and the presentation of a symbolic cheque in support of the initiative, the Commissioner, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cape Verde, and in particular to the President of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves, for the invitation to participate in the development of Cape Verde’s National Infrastructure Plan.

Dr. Touray reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment towards helping all Member States to put in place sound policies and regulatory frameworks to improve the delivery of infrastructure services.

Also, the Minister for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing, Victor Coutinho, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for its support, and emphasised that this National Infrastructure Master Plan 2025-2024, will provide a comprehensive framework covering all sectors of economic and social infrastructure, to stimulate economic development, growth and regional integration in Cape Verde.

Following the official ceremony, the PPDU team held technical working sessions with the Cape Verde Infrastructure team, with the aim of developing a clear roadmap for the next steps.

The ECOWAS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, José Filomeno Monteiro, and also met with the Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, Dr Pedro Lopes, to discuss the Amílcar Cabral Submarine Cable Telecommunications Project.

Among the subjects discussed with the two Ministers we’re 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.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS had held a meeting to support the development of the 2025-2040 infrastructure master plan.
The support for this transformative initiative is in two folds which includes Financial support: a USD 50,000 grant to support the formulation of the national infrastructure plan, and, Technical assistance from the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit, (PPDU), to provide strategic guidance in the planning, technical review, and implementation of the master plan.

This collaboration underlines Cape Verde’s commitment to the principles of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity.

The ECOWAS delegation expressed appreciation to the government and people of Cape Verde for their warm welcome, and commitment to regional cooperation.

This master plan development initiative comes at a historic time, just weeks before ECOWAS will mark its 50th years anniversary of regional service and cooperation.

As ECOWAS celebrates this important anniversary, the commitment to improving the quality of infrastructure services, connectivity, economic growth, and shared prosperity for all citizens of the region, remains as strong and ever.

As ECOWAS embarks on the next 50 years, the Commission remains true to its vision of increasing connectivity, stimulating economic growth and improving infrastructure services for all citizen.