Cape Verde is the best Portuguese-speaking African country to host startups

By Dírcia Lopes

Cape Verde climbed two positions worldwide in ranking countries with the best ecosystems for startups.

According to StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index, which ranks 100 countries and a thousand cities, the archipelago now ranks 78th (one point behind Ghana) and is the Portuguese-speaking African country with the best position on the list.

The same report, which assesses the environment for startups in the world, concludes that in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, the country led by Ulisses Correia e Silva also stands out, occupying the third position. In the evaluation referring to Africa, Cape Verde appears in eighth place.

The Cape Verdean capital, Cidade da Praia, also follows the trend of having the best environment to host startups since, among the thousand cities evaluated, it rose 18 positions and now ranks fifth in West Africa, 18th in the whole African continent, and 590th globally.

About this performance, the Cape Verdean government refers that the numbers “prove the success of the technological entrepreneurship ecosystem in Cape Verde, coupled with policy initiatives and ambitions outlined with a focus on digital transformation.”

In a note from the Cape Verdean Executive to which Forbes Lusophone Africa had access, one can read that “by promoting an ecosystem that empowers startups and embraces innovation, the Government has created the ideal conditions for growth and success.”

In this line, Technology Parks are being built in the city of Praia and in Mindelo, which will play a differential role in solidifying this national ecosystem, trusting that the coming years will be even better.

And reiterates that, with the reinforcement of the EllaLink submarine cable, Cape Verde “wants to position itself as an international center supplier of digital services. A gateway to West Africa, taking advantage of its geographical position, political stability, and international digital connectivity.”

Still, within the scope of the Portuguese-speaking African countries, the report states that Angola remains in 97th place.

Overall, at the African level, it fell one point to 14th place.

The capital Luanda showed an improvement of 56 positions and is in 575th place globally.

In Europe, Portugal rose two positions to 26th place.

Among Portuguese-speaking countries, Brazil is in 27th place after losing one position.

With information from Forbes

News Cape Verde, English news Cape Verde, Cape Verdean startup ecosystem

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