WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1  
11 December 2015  
(15-6542)  Page: 1/89  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT 
CABO VERDE 
Revision 
This report, prepared for the first Trade Policy Re view of Cabo Verde, has been drawn up by the 
WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Se cretariat has, as required by the Agreement 
establishing the Trade Policy Review Mech anism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement 
Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Cabo Verde on its trade policies and practices.  
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr. Cato Adrian 
(Tel: 022 739 5469) and Mr. Thomas Friedheim (Tel: 022 739 5083).  
Document WT/TPR/G/322 contains the policy statement submitted by Cabo Verde. 
 
 
Note: This report was drafted in English. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 2 - 
 
  CONTENTS 
SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... . 5 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 8  
1.1   Main Featur es ...........................................................................................................  8 
1.2   Recent Econom ic Developments................................................................................... 8  
1.3   Developments in Trade .............................................................................................. 12 
1.4   Outlook ................................................................................................................... 13 
2   TRADE AND INVE STMENT RE GIME ............................................................................ 14  
2.1   Genera l Framework .................................................................................................. 14 
2.2   Trade Poli cy Objectives ............................................................................................. 18 
2.3   Trade Agreements and Arrangements .......................................................................... 19 
2.3.1   WTO ................................................................................................................... . 19 
2.3.2   Regional and pr eferential agreements ....................................................................... 20 
2.3.2.1   African Union and African Economic  Community ...................................................... 20 
2.3.2.2   ECOWAS ............................................................................................................ 20 
2.3.3   Other agreements and arrangements ........................................................................ 21 
2.4   Investme nt Regime .................................................................................................. 23 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE ........................................................ 27  
3.1   Introduction ............................................................................................................. 27 
3.2   Measures Direct ly Affectin g Imports ............................................................................ 27 
3.2.1   Import procedur es and requirements ........................................................................ 27 
3.2.2   Ordinary customs du ties ......................................................................................... 28 
3.2.3   Other duties and charges (ODCs) ............................................................................. 32 
3.2.4   Tariff quotas, and tariff ex emptions .......................................................................... 34 
3.2.5   Fees and charges for services rendered ..................................................................... 35 
3.2.6   Inte rnal ta xes ....................................................................................................... 35 
3.2.7   Import prohibitions, restrictions, an d licensing ........................................................... 38 
3.2.8   Custom s valuation ................................................................................................. 39 
3.2.9   Rules of origin .......................................................................................................  40 
3.2.10   Anti-dumping, countervai ling duty, and safe guard regimes......................................... 41 
3.3   Measures Directly Affecting Exports ............................................................................. 42 
3.3.1   Export procedur es and requirements ........................................................................ 42 
3.3.2   Export taxes, fees and charges for servic es rendered .................................................. 42 
3.3.3   Export restrictions ................................................................................................. 42 
3.3.4   Export subsidies, finance, and guarantees ................................................................. 43 
3.3.5   Export promotion and marketing assistance ............................................................... 43 
3.4   Measures Affectin g Production And Trade ..................................................................... 43 
3.4.1   Subsidies .............................................................................................................. 43 
3.4.2   Standards, technical requir ements, and confor mity asse ssment .................................... 44 
3.4.3   Sanitary and ph ytosanitary measures ....................................................................... 45 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 3 - 
 
  3.4.4   Trade-related investment measures .......................................................................... 47 
3.4.5   Free zones and sp ecial econom ic areas ..................................................................... 47 
3.4.6   Governme nt procurement ....................................................................................... 47 
3.4.7   State trading, state-owned enterprises, and privatization ............................................. 49 
3.4.8   Competition policy ................................................................................................. 51 
3.4.9   Pric e contro ls ........................................................................................................  51 
3.4.10   Trade-related intell ectual proper ty regime ............................................................... 53 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR ..................................................................................... 55  
4.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................. . 55 
4.1.1   Main features ........................................................................................................ 55 
4.1.2   Institutional and policy framework ............................................................................ 56 
4.2   Fisheries ............................................................................................................... .. 57 
4.2.1   Institutional an d regulatory framework ..................................................................... 57 
4.2.2   Market access for foreign fishin g vessels ................................................................... 59 
4.3   Energy .................................................................................................................. .. 59 
4.4   Manuf acturi ng .......................................................................................................... 61 
4.5   Services ................................................................................................................ .. 61 
4.5.1   Main features ........................................................................................................ 61 
4.5.2   Financial services ................................................................................................... 62 
4.5.2.1   Banks ................................................................................................................ 62 
4.5.2.2   Insura nce .......................................................................................................... 64 
4.5.2.3   Securities Market ................................................................................................ 64 
4.5.3   Transport .............................................................................................................  65 
4.5.3.1   Air transport ....................................................................................................... 65 
4.5.3.2   Mariti me tran sport .............................................................................................. 66 
4.5.4   Telecommunications ............................................................................................... 68 
4.5.5   Tourism ................................................................................................................ 69 
4.5.5.1   Distribu tion serv ices ............................................................................................ 71 
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 7 2 
5   APPENDIX  TABLES .................................................................................................... 74  
 
CHARTS 
 Chart 1.1 Revenue and grants , 2014  .................................................................................. 10
 
Chart 1.2 Trade in goods and services, 2014 ........................................................................ 12 
Chart 1.3 Merchandise trade by destination and origin, 2014 .................................................. 13 
Chart 2.1 FDI flows in Cabo Verde, 2000-13 ........................................................................ 26 
Chart 3.1 Simple average tari ffs by HS ch apter, 2015 ........................................................... 33 
 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 4 - 
 
  TABLES 
 Table 1.1 Subsidies and re venue forego ne, 2011- 13 ............................................................. 10
 
Table 1.2 Duty collection ratio, 2010-13 .............................................................................. 11 
Table 2.1 Main trade-related legislation ............................................................................... 16 
Table 2.2 Cabo Verde's WTO no tifications, 2008- January 2015 ............................................... 19 
Table 3.1 Structure of applied M FN tariffs in Cabo  Verde, 2015 ............................................... 29 
Table 3.2 Cabo Verde's app lied MFN tariff  summary , 2015 ..................................................... 30 
Table 3.3 Structure of  ECOWAS CE T, 2015  .......................................................................... 31 
Table 3.4 Tariff and tax exemptio ns, 2012- 14 ...................................................................... 35 
Table 3.5 Tax re venue, 2012- 14 ........................................................................................ 37 
Table 3.6 Products subject to in ternational trade restrict ions .................................................. 39 
Table 3.7 Reform of  SPS legislation .................................................................................... 46 
Table 3.8 Selected corporatized en terprises with St ate ownership ........................................... 49 
Table 4.1 Air traffic in Cabo Verde, 2009-13 ........................................................................ 66 
 
BOXES  
Box 2.1 The Hierarchy of Laws in Cabo Verde ...................................................................... 15 
Box 4.1 The Ilha Verde Project – a farm in Paraguay to supply the Cabo Verdean market ........... 55 
 
APPENDIX TABLES 
 
Table A1.1 Selected macroeco nomic indicato rs, 2008-14 ....................................................... 74 
Table A1.2 Merchandise exports by product group, 2008-13 ................................................... 76 
Table A1. 3 Merchandise import s by product gr oup, 2008 -13 ................................................. 77 
 
Table A3.1 MFN tariff averages  by HS2-digit level, 2015 ........................................................ 78 
Table A3.2 Special Tax on Consumpt ion (STC) ..................................................................... 81 
Table A3.3 Goods subject to the Ecolog ical Tax .................................................................... 84 
Table A3.4 Prohibited imported goods in Cabo Verde ............................................................. 85 
Table A3.5 Goods subject to  non-automati c licens ing ............................................................ 86 
 
Table A4.1 Maritime transport in Cabo Verde, 2008-12 .......................................................... 88 
Table A4.2 Tourism basi c indicators , 2008- 14 ...................................................................... 89 
 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 5 - 
 
  SUMMARY 
1. An archipelago of nine inhabited islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cabo Verde is at the 
crossroads of trade between Southern Europe, Africa, and the Americas and the Caribbean. 
Cabo Verde has roughly 500,000 inhabitants, and a diaspora almost twice as large elsewhere, 
living mostly in the United States and Portugal. Portugal and Spain are Cabo Verde's most 
important trading partners in goods. Cabo Verd e's currency, the Cabo Verdean Escudo (CVEsc), 
is pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate of €1 to CVEsc 110.265. 
2. Cabo Verde graduated from least developed country (LDC) status on 1 January 2008. It is 
now classified as a lower-middle income developing economy with a per capita GDP of €2,800 per year. Cabo Verde is generally resource-poor and its merchandise imports, notably of fuels and food, typically exceed exports by ten times (or more) in any given year. Foreign exchange is 
generated primarily by tourism (€300 million in 2014), followed by air navigation services. 
The Cabo Verdean diaspora is also a major source of remittances.   
3. Long-term growth of real GDP has averaged 7. 5% per year (1990-2013), driven by foreign 
direct investment and tourism as the principal engine of growth. The global financial crisis led to a 
relatively mild recession in Cabo Verde. The economy returned to modest growth in 2010 (up 1.5%) and 4% growth in 2011, in part due to higher tourism receipts and a public investment 
programme. In 2014, economic growth reached 1.8%. Cabo Verde's growth and development 
model has relied much on investment in the construction and tourism industry, and current reforms are aimed at broadening the economic base. Cabo Verde's energy policy is geared towards the promotion of renewable energy to reduce reliance on imported fuels. 
4. Cabo Verde spans the latitudes of the Sahel with a similar arid climate. Faced with 
unfavourable natural conditions, agricultural production has traditionally been largely insufficient to meet domestic demand for food. Major public invest ment has been allocated to the construction of 
dams to promote irrigation. The fisheries' sector is small (less than 1% of GDP), but generates 
important export earnings. The manufacturing industry caters mainly for the small domestic market. Services contribute about 60% to GDP. Ma ritime and air transport are priority sectors for 
development due to their link to tourism.  
5. After independence from Portugal in 1975, Cabo Verde adopted economic policies based on 
State-led development, followed by a period of ec onomic liberalization. Although the role of the 
State in the economy of Cabo Verde has been reduced substantially since the early 1990s, 
14 public enterprises and 15 para-public enterprises continue to be major players, particularly in 
utilities, energy, telecommunications, and transportation. The financial requirements of some of these enterprises are significant for the Gove rnment. The economic performance of certain 
enterprises has also been poor, which has hamp ered efforts to privatize them. Present-day 
Cabo Verde envisages the State as a regulator of an economy dominated by a private sector led by entrepreneurship and innovation. Four regulatory  agencies were created in 2004 in the areas of 
food security (ANSA), pharmaceuticals and food  products (ARFA), communications (ANAC), and 
economic regulation more generally (ARE). ANSA and ARFA were merged in 2013.  
6. This is Cabo Verde's first Trade Policy Review. Cabo Verde acceded to the WTO in July 2008 
with certain transitional arrangements, negotiated while Cabo Verde was still an LDC. The majority 
of these arrangements have now expired, and the last flexibilities will lapse in 2018. Cabo Verde 
bound all tariff lines at rates ranging from zero to 55%. The simple average final bound rates are 
19.3% in agriculture, 15.4% on industrial products, and 15.9% overall. Cabo Verde made 
substantial commitments under the GATS, including open and non-discriminatory regimes, 
inter alia,  for business services, distribution, education, environmental services, and road 
transport, and "partial" commitments in commercially important financial services, 
telecommunications, construction and maritime tr ansport. Notifications have been provided in 
various areas pertaining to the WTO, including agricultural export subsidies, SPS, customs 
legislation, import licensing, anti-dumping, state trading, and TRIPS. Cabo Verde's intellectual property legislation has not yet been reviewed by the WTO Council for TRIPS. 
7. Cabo Verde's applied MFN tariffs are well below the bound level, averaging 12% in 
agriculture and 10% on industrial products. All rates are ad valorem and are set at 0%, 5%, 10%, WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 6 - 
 
  20%, 30%, 40% or 50%. The highest average tariffs affect clothing; beverages, spirits, and 
tobacco; and fish and fishery products.  
8. Cabo Verde is a founding member of the African Union, and maintains close links with 
Angola, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tome and Príncipe, and Portugal through the 
Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) . The CPLP does not include the exchange of 
trade preferences. Cabo Verde joined the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1976, and participates in its structures, such as the common agricultural policy (ECOWAP), 
but not in the economic and monetary uni on between eight ECOWAS members (WAEMU). 
Negotiations between ECOWAS and the European Unio n (EU) to conclude an Economic Partnership 
Agreement (EPA) have been finalized, and it will enter into force after signature and ratification.  
9. The establishment of a customs union with a co mmon external tariff and internal free trade 
has been a longstanding ambition within ECOW AS. Although many deadlines have been missed 
along the way, the preparation of the EPA with the EU provided new impetus to the efforts to 
finalize the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). The CET did not enter into force in Cabo Verde 
on 1 January 2015 as originally planned, but may be implemented with a delay of approximately 
one year. According to the Cabo Verdean authorities, the implications for government tariff revenue have been examined. The simple average applied MFN tariff is set to rise from 10.3% at 
present to 12.3% with full implementation of the CET. Although applied tariffs will remain well 
below Cabo Verde's bound rates on average, the CET exceeds Cabo Verde's WTO bindings on more than 500 tariff lines. In addition, Cabo Verde ha s bound "other duties and charges" (ODCs) at 
0.5%, reflecting the current level of the ECOWAS co mmunity levy. As this levy is set to rise to 
1.5%, Cabo Verde's ODCs will also need to be renegotiated across-the-board. The ECOWAS 
Secretariat has expressed its readiness to assist its members, including Cabo Verde, in their negotiations with other WTO Members.  
10. Customs tariffs are an important source of government revenue in Cabo Verde. In 2013, the 
customs authorities collected more than CVEsc 5.4 billion (nearly €50 million) in import duties. However, value added tax (VAT) is the single most important source of income for the 
Government, raising CVEsc 11.5 billion in 2013 and nearly CVEsc 13 billion in 2014. The VAT 
regime was overhauled in 2013, reinforcing a single-rated VAT of 15% by eliminating a lower rate applicable to the tourism sector and removing effective tax rebates on certain basic goods and services subject to price regulation (petroleum products, electricity, water, telecommunication 
services, and maritime transport of goods). In addition to customs duties and VAT, government 
revenue is derived from indirect taxes such as a special consumption tax (levied on selected products such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and petroleum products), an ecological tax on 
packaging, stamp duties, and a tourist tax (in effect since 1 May 2013). 
11. Non-automatic licensing is applied on imported goods subject to SPS requirements, security 
measures, or other mandatory restrictions required by law. All other imports are subject to 
automatic licensing, unless the goods are totally exempt from the licensing requirements (goods 
without commercial value, goods in transit, temporary imports, re-exports, etc.). Although Cabo Verde agreed to re-examine its licensing regime to ensure full compliance with the WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures by  the end of 2008, the regime has remained 
unchanged since its accession to the WTO. In 2013, Cabo Verde adopted new framework laws 
governing phytosanitary and veterinary measures. Cabo Verde does not use tariff quotas to regulate imports. 
12. Cabo Verde introduced a new Customs Code in 2010. The Code stipulates the transaction 
value as the principal method of customs valuation, but alternative valuation methods are used quite frequently due to chronic under-valuations and missing or inadequate documentation of the 
claimed value. In 2013, Cabo Verde introduced a statistical tax on imports and exports to finance 
the computerization of customs clearance. The basi c fee of CVEsc 5,000 per customs declaration is 
levied on top of a customs user fee of 1.04% of th e c.i.f. value of imports. The level and structure 
of the customs user fee, a subjec t of discussion during the accession negotiations, is still under 
consideration. Cabo Verde does not levy export taxes. 
13. Cabo Verde introduced a new investment law in 2012. The law provides a general 
framework of rights and guarantees in a generally open and non-discriminatory investment 
regime. Fiscal incentives available to investors are outlined in the 2013 Code of Fiscal Benefits. 
The Code regulates tax benefits accorded under general as well as special regimes such as WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 7 - 
 
  International Business Centres and establishments under the Tourism Utility Statute. Although the 
Code of Fiscal Benefits is designed to provide a unified regime of investment incentives, a major carve out exists for large investment projects. In such cases, the rights and obligations may be spelled out in individually negotiated establis hment agreements endorsed by the Council of 
Ministers. Subsidies provided in the form of grants are uncommon, amounting to just over 
CVEsc 100 million (less than €1 million) in 2013. By  comparison, the estimated revenue foregone 
from tax and import duty concessions reached more than CVEsc 3.25 billion during the same year.  
14. Cabo Verde is neither a member nor an observer of the WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement. According to the State budget, CVEsc 3.77 billion was set aside for purchases of goods and services by centrally-funded entities in 2014. A new Public Procurement Law was adopted in early 2015. The law is set to enter into force on 15 October 2015, and will replace the 
current procurement law from 2007 and its regula tion (2009). A regulatory agency (ARAP) was 
created in 2008 to formulate standards and guid elines for public procurement, oversee the 
procurement processes, and supervise the implementa tion of contracts. The stated purpose of the 
new legislation is to clarify responsibilities among the regulatory, supervisory and procuring 
entities, ease the administrative burden, and simplify procurement to facilitate the participation of small- and medium-sized enterprises.  
15. Cabo Verde has undertaken significant reforms in the financial sector to modernize the legal 
framework and strengthen institutional oversight. There is a relatively large off-shore banking sector. Institutional and legal reforms were also launched to modernize the maritime and port regimes. Recent efforts to improve the general business environment include online business 
registration procedures (since 2010), the creation of a single window for investment 
(since July 2014), the transformation to pape rless customs clearance (during 2015), and the 
ongoing consolidation of customs, port, and trade information systems to create a single window 
for international trade (JUCE). 
16. In the long-term, Cabo Verde's economic growth potential is likely to be determined by 
(i) efficiency gains in the public sector, (ii)  improved economic performance of state-owned 
enterprises, and (iii) a stronger private sector. Cabo Verde has an ongoing State and Public 
Administration Reform Programme led by a central agency ( Unidade de Coordenação da Reforma 
do Estado  - UCRE) working under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister and a coordinating 
counsellor. The programme envisages a certain rationalization of government structures, affecting 
some 114 institutions in total. 
17. Given its vulnerabilities and disadvantages, such as remoteness from foreign markets and a 
relatively small population dispersed over a vast area, Cabo Verde's economy has performed 
remarkably well since the early 1990s. The economy's vulnerability to natural disasters was most 
recently demonstrated in late 2014 with the volcanic eruption on the island of Fogo. However, most importantly, as policy emphasis has shifted gradually over the years, Cabo Verde has 
developed a credible track record of political pluralism and stability. This is an important asset 
underpinning further reform efforts and the economic development of Cabo Verde.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 8 - 
 
  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Main Features  1.1.  Cabo Verde is a small country with tourism as the main pillar of the economy. Approximately 
half of the population of 500,000 live on the isla nd of Santiago, where the capital of Praia is 
located. Business and tourism is concentrated on four of the nine inhabited islands (Santiago; 
São Vicente with the second-largest city of Mindelo; Boa Vista; Sal).
1 There is a large Cabo 
Verdean diaspora (mainly in the United States and Portugal) estimated at about 1 million people, 
whose remittances have been one of the main sources of finance for the economy.2  
1.2.  Cabo Verde spans the latitudes of the Sahel with a similar arid climate. It is resource-poor, 
except for fish, and highly dependent on imports of fuel, and food. It has a history of food aid 
needs (section 4.1.1). The country is also prone to natural disasters, as witnessed by the volcanic 
eruption on the island of Fogo in late 2014. A relatively open economy3, Cabo Verde is vulnerable 
to shocks from the global economy. Given its vulnerabilities and disadvantages, the economy has performed remarkably well since Cabo Verde embark ed on a process of economic liberalization in 
the early 1990s. By 2007, Cabo Verde graduated from UN LDC status and is now classified as a 
lower-middle income economy with a per capita income level of around €2,800 (Table A1.1). Cabo Verde's economic development has been underpinned by sound macroeconomic 
management, and good governance.
4 
1.2  Recent Economic Developments 1.3.  Long-term growth of real GDP has averaged  7.5% per year (1990-2013) with foreign direct 
investment and the tourism industry as the principal engine of growth.
5 With the onset of the 
global financial crisis, the economic expansion sta lled, as remittances, FDI, tourism, official aid, 
and imports declined. In 2009, Cabo Verde went th rough a milder recession than global trends 
(1.3% contraction). The economy returned to modest growth in 2010 (up 1.5%) and 4% growth in 
2011 (Table A1.1), in part due to higher tourism receipts and enhanced public investments. Since 
2012, economic growth has been weak (1% in 2013 and 1.8% in 2014). 
1.4.  A multi-annual Public Investment Progra mme, mostly externally financed, was launched in 
2009 to weather the global financial crisis and support long-term growth through investments in 
infrastructure, human capital, and good governance. The counter-cyclical stimulus was relatively large, raising public capital expenditures from around 11.5% of GDP in 2008 (the year before the 
start) to 15.5% in 2012 (the peak year).
6 The investment programme is based on a policy 
framework that aims to create a competitive, inclusive economy, and sustainable growth to reduce 
poverty. Some of the key economic policy papers  or roadmaps are the Transformation Agenda of 
2003 ( Agenda de Transformação ), the Government Programme for the Eighth Legislature 
2011-167, and the Third Growth and Poverty Reduct ion Strategy Paper 2012-16 (DECREP III in 
Portuguese).  
1.5.  Cabo Verde's  growth and development model has relied much on capital accumulation 
(FDI, remittances) in the construction and tourism industry. The reform agenda of the Government 
is aimed at broadening the economic base, and focuses on productivity-enhancing measures that promise more sustainable growth. Structural measures thus financed through the Public Investment Programme include the reform of the State and public administration, and reform of 
                                               
1 The ten islands, listed by size, are Santiago (992 km2), Santo Antão (754 km2), Boavista, Fogo, 
São Nicolau, Maio, São Vicente, Sal, Brava, and Santa Luzia. 
2 BCV (2014a), p. 43. The five principal sources of finance are: remittances, FDI, foreign aid, foreign 
debt, and private bank credit.  
3 The ratio of imports plus exports (goods and serv ices) divided by GDP is about 100% (Table A1.1). 
4 IMF (2014). 
5 World Bank World Development Indicators. Viewed at: 
http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports. aspx?source=world-development-indicators . 
6 BCV (2014a), p. 72. 
7 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.reformadoestado. gov.cv/index.php?Itemid=613 . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 9 - 
 
  the business environment (sections 2.1 and 2.4). The majority of the programme expenditures 
have been allocated to public investment s in seven priority sectors ("clusters").8  
1.6.  Agriculture is one of the priority sectors. In Cabo Verde, farming is mainly for subsistence 
and marketed agricultural production contributes on ly about 7% to GDP (Table A1.1). Most food is 
imported. Roughly one-quarter of public investment expenditures are for agriculture and water 
management to promote, amongst other things, a shift from rain-fed agriculture of basic staples such as maize and beans, towards irrigated agriculture and higher-value crops such as fruit and 
vegetables.
9 The fisheries sector contributes less than 1% to GDP but makes an important 
contribution to export earnings. The manufacturing industry caters mainly for the small domestic market.  
1.7.  In the energy sector, investments have been aimed at bottlenecks in electricity-generating 
capacity and the distribution network by the st ate-owned enterprise ELECTRA. Energy policy is 
directed at further promoting renewable energy (20% of electricity generation in 2013), to reduce Cabo Verde's dependence on imported fuel. Regula tory reforms (including the tariff mechanism) 
address the loss-making performance of ELECTRA (s ection 4.3). State-owned enterprises play an 
important role in the Cabo Verdean economy (section 3.4.6). 
1.8.  The tourism sector contributed about 4.5% to GDP
10 and 7.3% of direct employment, and 
generated receipts of around €300 million in 2014. FDI in the tourism industry is supported by tax 
holidays and other incentives. There are currently around 230 hotel establishments in Cabo Verde.  
1.9.  Maritime and air transport are priority sect ors because of their linkages to tourism, and the 
dispersed population. Over the last ten years, the road, port and airport infrastructure has been 
modernized.11 The Government's strategy is to promote Cabo Verde as a hub between Africa, 
Europe and the Americas. The port management is under restructuring from a service port to a landlord port operated by the state-owned ENAPOR (section 4.5.3.2). In air transport, a major 
challenge is to enhance the efficiency and reduce  the fiscal burden of the loss-making national 
carrier Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde  (TACV).  
1.10.  According to the annual enterprise survey  of the National Statistics Institute (INE), 
9,049 businesses were active in Cabo Verde in 2013, employing some 50,975 workers in total 
(78% of the registered businesses and 91% of th e employees were on the islands of Santiago, 
São Vicente, Sal, and Boa Vista). INE surveys also indicate that enterprises with formal accounting practices represent no more than 35% of the to tal number of registered businesses, yet these 
enterprises provide 78% of all formal private se ctor employment and represent 96% of the total 
business volume. Cabo Verdean enterprises are main ly engaged in wholesale and retail trade or 
auto and motorcycle repair (47%), hotels and restaurants (15%), and processing 
industries (10%).
12  
1.11.  Despite considerable progress over the past two decades, unemployment remains 
persistently high at 15.8% in 2014. Reforms to deregulate Cabo Verde's labour market, including 
the passage of a new Labour Code, are pending.13 Cabo Verde introduced a minimum wage on 
1 January 2014 (CVEsc 11,000 per month).14  
1.12.  The budget deficit and public debt have incr eased significantly since 2009, reflecting in part 
the Public Investment Programme (Table A1.1).  The investment programme has been financed 
primarily with foreign debt, taking advantage of the last window of opportunity to secure highly 
concessional long-term loans following Cabo Verde's graduation from LDC status. Total public debt 
                                               
8 The seven clusters are agriculture, tourism, mari time economy (including fi sheries), information and 
communication technologies, creative economy (music and other cultural activities), financial services, and air 
transport services.  
9 World Bank (2014b), p. 22. 
10 This estimate, which appears to be on the low si de, is under review by th e National Institute of 
Statistics (INE). 
11 World Bank (2014b), p. 44. 
12 ASemana  online information. Viewed at: www.asemana.publ.cv/spip.php?article106407¬ak=1 . 
13 The Labour Code currently in force is Legislative-Decree No. 5/2007, amended by Legislative-Decree 
No. 5/2010.  
14 Decree-Law No. 6/2014 of 29 January 2014. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 10 - 
 
  reached 114% in 2014, with external debt at 87%, and is expected to further rise.15 While the 
rising stock of debt is a cause for concern, all external debt is concessional16 and the debt service 
indicators are comfortably below the thresholds th at would signal problems, according to the IMF. 
1.13.  The Government has sought to rein in the rising budget deficit, inter alia , by a tax reform, 
subsidy reduction, and streamlining the incentives regime (Code of Fiscal Benefits of 2013) that 
was previously spread over several legal instruments. Inter-island maritime transport is currently subsidized (section 4.5.3). Fuel subsidies (i.e. subsidized diesel for use as feed-stock for electricity 
generation) were eliminated. Revenue foregone in the form of tax incentives is significant when 
compared with tax revenues, and greatly surpasse s outright subsidy payments (Table 1.1). Tax 
exemptions are made transparent in the State Budg et. Most incentives are granted in the form of 
tariff and VAT exemptions on imports. Nevertheless, customs duties remain a significant source of 
Government revenues (Chart 1.1).
17 The duty collection ratio (total customs duties collected 
divided by total import value) was 9% in 2013 (Table 1.2).  
Table 1.1 Subsidies and revenue foregone, 2011-13 
 (CVEsc million)  
 2011 2012 2013 
Subsidies   994 274 101 
Revenue foregone, of which: 5,136.3 5,148.8 3,259.4 
  Tax exemptions granted by Customs ("DA") 4,504.4 4,363.9 2,670.1 
  Tax exemptions granted by Tax Authorities ("DCI") 631.9 784.9 589.2 
Number of beneficiary en terprises, of which: 
Tourism Industry 
Finance sector 
Others 115 
65 37 
5 
8 122 
60 
n.a. 
n.a. 
n.a. 113 
55 35 
5 
18 
Memo item: Total tax revenues 29,563 27,573 27,863.3 
Source: Ministry of Finance and Planning, Budget Proposal 2015. 
Chart 1.1 Revenue and grants, 2014 
(CVEsc million) 
Value-added tax
10,991
Income and profit tax
9,054
Customs duties
5,631Budget support
5,332Special consumption tax 
1,680Stamp duties 803Tourist tax 727Ecological tax 619ECOWAS tax 264Other revenue
6,452
Total revenue and grants: CVEsc 41,553 m illion
 
Source: Ministry of Finance and Planning, Budget Proposal 2015. 
                                               
15 Ministry of Finance and Planning (2014), p. 144. 
16 The average maturity of the loans is 24 years at 1. 19% interest (see Ministry of Finance and Planning 
(2014), p. 144).  
17 Cabo Verde remains dependent on budget support. Food aid cash grants are recorded as a revenue 
item in the national budget (around CVEsc 50 million in 2015). The ECOWAS tax levied on imports is used to 
finance the ECOWAS Secretariat (section 3.2.3).  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 11 - 
 
  1.14.  Cabo Verde hosts an off-shore banking sector. The prudential regime for domestic and off-
shore banks was harmonized in 2014 and oversight by the Banco de Cabo Verde (BCV) strengthened (section 4.5.2). The domestic bankin g sector is well capitalized, according to the 
IMF, despite an increase in non-performing loan s. Around 40% of bank deposits are emigrant 
deposits. The capital market is small, corresponding to around 30% of GDP. 
Table 1.2 Duty collection ratio, 2010-13 
 (CVEsc million) 
2010 2011 2012 2013 
Customs duties  n.a. n.a.  5,516.0  5,434.0  
Import value of goods 61,839.0  75,149.9  65,710.8  60,201.0  
Duty collection ratio (customs 
duties/import value of goods in %) - - 8.4 9.0 
Source: Ministry of Finance and Planning, Budget Proposal 2015. 
1.15.  The CVEsc is pegged to the euro at a fixe d exchange rate of €1 to CVEsc 110.265. The peg 
is secured through a credit facility granted by the Government of Portugal.18 According to the IMF, 
"the peg has served the economy well, given Cabo Verde's strong trade and financial ties to the 
euro area."19 With the euro exchange rate fixed, monetization of the public debt is not feasible. 
It is also prohibited by law. Scope for exchange rate flexibility is provided through the cross-rates 
with non-euro currencies.  
1.16.  Monetary policy is geared to protect fo reign currency reserves and thereby defend the 
credibility of the euro peg. By 2014, internationa l reserves recovered to five months of imports 
(Table A1.1). The minimum reserve requirement for banks was set at 15% in 2015. With inflation 
under control20, the monetary stance of the BCV has been "moderately accommodating".21 
In March 2015, the policy rate was further reduced to 3.5%.  
1.17.  Foreign exchange controls on current pa yments and transfers were liberalized in 1998 
(except for transactions exceeding CVEsc 1 million connected to travelling).22 Transfer operations 
that could be subject to prior verification by the BCV are transactions exceeding CVEsc 1 million 
falling under the heading "private unilateral tran sfers"; transfers exceeding CVEsc 5 million as 
revenues or as payment for services rendered (except for interest payments on previously 
authorized loans); and the pre-payment or final settlement of current transactions more than three months in advance when the instalment exceeded CVEsc 1,000,000 (and 35% of the contractual value). Foreign residents leaving the country with over CVEsc 1 million in foreign 
currency require proof of acquisition from a regulated institution (e.g. bank) or proof of entry into 
the country with the same or higher amount. Reside nts are subject to prior verification by the BCV 
for amounts greater than CVEsc 1 million in foreign currency. There are no restrictions for 
residents or foreign investors on opening bank accounts in foreign currency.
23   
1.18.  Capital operations, with the exception of th ose executed in the stock market or through duly 
authorized brokers, are also subject to prior ve rification from the BCV. The Investment Code 
allows foreign investors to convert all income from investments that are duly registered with BCV 
through Cabo Verde Investimentos (CVI) (including di vidends, interest, royalties, income from sale 
of shares or investment, compensations) to any convertible currency and repatriate all income from investments (section 2.4).
24 Transfers are authorized by BCV within 30 days, unless the 
                                               
18 The fixed exchange rate arrang ement is managed by the joint Comissão do Acordo de Cooperação 
Cambial (COMACC).   
19 IMF (2014).  
20 Administered prices for some goods and services (including inter-urban passenger road transport, 
fuel, electricity, and water) account for appr oximately 2% of the Consumer Price Index. 
21 BCV (2014a), p. 19.  
22 Decree-Laws No. 25/98 and 26/98 of 29 June 1998, and the BCV Notice No. 4/98 of 
21 December 1998. 
23 BCV Notice No. 3/98 of 18 August 1998. 
24 Law No. 13/VIII/2012 of 11 July 2012, amended by Decree-Law No. 34/2013 of 24 September 2013. 
For income from services rendered to companies financ ed with resources from abroad, foreign employers and WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 12 - 
 
  amount to be transferred is likely to cause disturbances in the balance of payments, in which case 
a transfer would be split in equal consecutive quar terly remittances, up to a period of two years. 
1.3  Developments in Trade 1.19.  The European Union has historically been Cabo Verde's most important trading partner, and 
a common language with several countries in Europe, Africa, South America and the Pacific 
facilitates cultural and trade links across the globe. The large diaspora of Cabo Verdean communities overseas is also a source of commercial exchanges. Cabo Verde's regional trade with 
other ECOWAS countries appears to be relatively insignificant, accounting for 1.2% of total imports 
and 0.1% of Cabo Verdean exports in 2014.
25 
1.20.  Merchandise imports in any year are eight to ten times larger than exports. This pattern 
reflects the Cabo Verdean growth model based on high import content. It also adds to freight 
costs, as containers have to return empty. Impo rts are primarily consumer goods (including food), 
followed by fuel, and capital goods (Chart 1. 2). The large majority of goods is imported, 
or transhipped, from the EU (Chart 1.3).  
1.21.  There is little diversity regarding exports of goods, geographically and in terms of the 
product mix, i.e. mainly fish and fish products, destined for Spain and Portugal. The main export industry is tourism, which contributes roughly half of total goods and services exports. By virtue of 
its geographical location at the crossroads between continents, navigation services within the 
Cabo Verdean airspace (so-called Oceanic Flight Information Region) provide significant export earnings.  
Chart 1.2 Trade in goods and services, 2014 
 
Source: BCV, Annual Report 2014. 
                                                                                                                                               
Cabo Verdean employers who lived overseas for at least five years, after fulfilling tax obligations, have the 
right to convert the income into another cu rrency and transfer it abroad (Article 8). 
25 BCV (2015). WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Chart 1.3 Merchandise trade by destination and origin, 2014 
 
Source: BCV, Annual Report 2014. 
1.4  Outlook 
1.22.  The IMF expects growth in Cabo Verde to pick up again in 2015, based on the expectation of 
an economic recovery in Europe, increased tourism and FDI, and lower oil prices. However, 
indebtedness, mostly external debt, now exc eeds 100% of annual GDP, leaving less room for 
public investment than in the past. The IMF concludes that Cabo Verde's long-term growth 
depends on reforms that improve the performa nce of the public sector and state-owned 
enterprises, and strengthen the private sector (i n particular reforms of the business environment, 
labour market, access to finance, education and training).26 
                                               
26 IMF (2015). 
WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 14 - 
 
  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIME 
2.1  General Framework 2.1.  Cabo Verde became independent from Port ugal in 1975. The Constitution provides for a 
separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
1 The President of the Republic, who is the 
Head of State, is elected by popular vote. The President may not serve more than two consecutive 
five-year terms. Presidential elections were last held in September 2011.  
2.2.  Legislative power is vested in the unicameral National Assembly, made up of 72 members 
directly elected for five-year terms.2 The speaker of the National Assembly ranks second in the 
hierarchy of the State. Laws approved by the Nati onal Assembly are forwarded to the President for 
signature. The President may either promulgate them , or return them to the National Assembly for 
a second reading. For matters referred back by the President, the National Assembly requires a 
two-third majority to pass legislation dealing with constitutional matters, while a simple majority is 
sufficient for other legislation passed in second reading.  
2.3.  The judicial system of Cabo Verde consists of  the Supreme Court of Justice, Judicial Courts of 
the First Instance, the Court of Accounts, the Mi litary Court, and two Fiscal and Customs Courts.3 
The Courts of the First Instance are divided into first, second, and third class judicial districts. 
Other Courts may be created by law, such as Administrative Courts, Arbitration Courts, and 
Conflict Resolution Institutions with jurisdiction upon smaller territorial areas.  
2.4.  The executive branch of the Government of Cabo Verde is headed by a Prime Minister, 
nominated by the President in consultation with  the National Assembly. At present (June 2015), 
Cabo Verde's Government comprises 17 Ministers and three State Secretaries.4 The structure of 
the Cabinet has generally been quite stable, but changes in personnel and portfolios may occur 
from time to time. After changes announced in  August 2014, the foreign trade dossier now 
pertains to the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Business Development (previously Ministry of 
Tourism, Industry and Energy). However, to the extent that foreign trade also involves 
negotiations, these responsibilities are shared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other ministries and agencies engaged in aspects of Cabo Verde' s trade regime include the Ministries of Rural 
Development (agricultural policy); Infrastructure and Maritime Economy (fisheries); 
Communication (transportation and telecommunications); Justice; and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; and the BCV. Cabo Verde Customs reports to the Ministry of Finance and Planning.  
2.5.  The Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Business Development has as its mission to 
formulate, implement and monitor innovative economic policies to foster sustainable development and Cabo Verde's competitiveness. The Ministry ov ersees the activities of two public agencies – 
Institute of Quality Management and Intellectual Property ( Instituto de Gestão de Qualidade e da 
Propriedade Intelectual  - IGQPI)
5 and the Agency for the Development of Enterprise and 
Innovation (ADEI) - as well as certain state-owned enterprises. The Ministry is also the highest 
authority in competition matters.  
2.6.  During the first 15 years of independence, Cabo Verde concentrated on social development 
issues where the State would take the leading role in areas such as securing the general availability of food, universal access to education, and basic health care. This initial stage was 
followed by a period of economic and political  liberalization (1990 to 2000) with a focus on 
democratic pluralism, market economy, and decentralization. In subsequent years, efforts have been concentrated on consolidation and modernization of public functions in an economy where 
the State is exercising its role as a regulator while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. 
                                               
1 The Constitution was promulgated in 1980. It was substantially revised in 1992. Since then, it has 
been revised in 1995, 1999, and 2010.  
2 The most recent Parliamentary elections were held in February 2011. Six members represent 
Cabo Verdean citizens living abroad.  
3 The Constitution also foresees the establishment of a Constitutional Court and Courts of Second 
Instance, but these are not yet operational.  
4 The Prime Minister is also Minister for State Reform.  
5 IGQPI was formed by the merger of the Quality Management Institute (IGQ) and the IPICV in 
August 2014. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Notable achievements have been the development of software for public finance and accounting 
(Sistema Integrado de Gestão Orçamental e Financeira – SIGOF).6 The system was implemented 
in Cabo Verde in 2002, and has since been sold to other countries. Four regulatory agencies were created in 2004 – the Economic Regulatory Agency ( Agência de Regulação Económica  - ARE), the 
National Agency for Food Security ( Agência Nacional de Segurança  - ANSA) the Regulatory and 
Supervisory Agency for Pharmaceutical and Food Products ( Agência de Regulação e Supervisão dos 
Produtos Farmacêuticos e Alimentares - ARFA), and the National Communications Agency ( Agência 
Nacional das Comunicações  - ANAC). ANSA and ARFA were merged in 2013.  
2.7.  At present, Cabo Verde's State and Public Administration Reform Programme is in the hands 
of UCRE working under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister and a coordinating counsellor. 
As the reform programme covers broad areas of  government activity, UCRE liases with line 
Ministries in charge of the respective areas as well as with the Directorate General of Planning, 
Budgeting and Management (DGPOG) in the form ulation and execution of specific projects.
7 The 
programme envisages a certain rationalization of government structures, affecting some 114 
institutions in total. Principal ongoing projects concern the energy sector (electricity generation, 
distribution, access and accounting), sanitation and water, single window for investors (section 2.4), unified electronic platforms for port services and foreign trade, recapitalization of the 
F u n d  f o r  G r o w t h  a n d  C o m p e t i t i v e n e s s  ( F C C )  t o  f o s t e r  S M E  d e v e l o p m e n t ,  r e v i s i o n  o f  t h e  
Commercial Code ( Código das Sociedades Comerciais ) to enhance the protection of minority 
shareholders, as well as revision of Cabo Verde's bankruptcy legislation. 
2.8.  Cabo Verde uses a range of legal instruments to regulate economic activity, including in the 
area of trade (Box 2.1 and Table 2.1). A pragmatic step was taken at the time of independence to 
extend the validity of all laws, rules, regulati ons and procedures unless they had been expressly 
revoked or considered incompatible with Cabo Verde's sovereignty. Over the years, the adoption of 
new laws and regulations has gradually replaced legislation predating independence, and the 
process has largely been completed as evidenced in Table 2.1.  
Box 2.1 The Hierarchy of Laws in Cabo Verde 
1.  The Constitution of Cabo Verde of 25 September 1992; revised in 1995, 1999 and 2010 
1. Constitutional Law ( Lei Constitucional) : A legislative act adopted by Parliament approving or 
amending the Constitution (Art. 260.2 of the Constitution).  
2. International agreements, treaties and protocols in force in Cabo Verde's legal system.  
3. Law ( Lei): A legislative act adopted by the Parliament and dealing with subjects enumerated in Articles 
175.b, c, f and l; 176 and 177; and 178, b and c (Art. 260.3). 
3. Decree ( Decreto ): Government Act for the approval of international treaties and agreements 
(Art.204.2, d and Art. 261.2, a). 
3. Decree-Law ( Decreto-lei ): Act of the Government, in the exercise  of its legislative functions, ruling 
on subjects not reserved to Parliament (Art. 203.2, a). 
3. Legislative Decree ( Decreto legislativo ): Government Act on subject(s) reserved to Parliament, but 
authorized (by it) through a legislative authorization law. A Legislative Decree must be signed by the 
Prime Minister and the competent Minister in the relevant area (Art. 203.2, b, Art. 257.3 and Art. 177). 
4. Presidential Decree ( Decreto presidencial ): Normative Act of the President; a decree that cannot 
have any other form according to the Constitution (Art. 255).  
5.  Regulation ( Regulamento ): A Normative Act of the Government or another public entity issued in the 
performance of their administra tive functions (Art. 264.1). 
6. Regulatory decree ( Decreto regulamentar ): A normative act passed by the Government in the 
exercise of its administrative functions, covering subj ects under the competence of the Council of Ministers. 
A regulatory decree must be signed  by the Prime Minister and by the Government member competent on the 
subject (Art. 264.2 and 4). 
                                               
6 SIGOF was developed by NOSi ( Núcleo Operacional para a Sociedade de Informação ). While this has 
remained a public entity, the commercial success of its output may lead to the privatization of NOSi.  
7 Each ministry has a DGPOG.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 16 - 
 
  7. Ordinance ( Portaria ) or Normative order ( Despacho Normativo ): A normative act of the 
Government, passed in the exercise of its administrative functions. Used when competence is shared between 
one or more members of the Government under the terms of a law, or when the act cannot take the form of 
Regulatory Decree for other reasons (Art. 264.3). 
Note: According to Article 268 of the Constitution, Laws, Decree-Laws and Legislative Decrees have the 
same legal status, although Legislative Decrees are subordinated to the corresponding legislative authorization laws. Decree-laws must  also elaborate on subjects of other laws which constitute the 
basis for these subjects and ar e thus subordinated to them. 
Source: Compiled by the WTO Secretariat from the Constitution of Cabo Verde. 
Table 2.1 Main trade-related legislation  
Subject Acts and orders Chapter or 
Gazette ref. Date 
Air transport Resolution No. 69/2013 (Transport Policy Charter) B.O. No. 27, 
I série 22.05.2013 
 Decree-Law No. 70/2014  22.12.2014 
 Legislative-Decree No. 1/2014 (economic regulation of the 
airport operator – ASA)  26.09.2014 
Business 
environment Charter of 28 June 1888  18.06.1888 
 Legislative Decree No. 3/1999 (commercial code)  29.03.1999 
 Decree-Law No. 68/2005 (foreign trade regime)  31.10.2005 
 Decree-Law No. 69/2005 (registration and exercise of a 
commercial activity, wholesale or retail)  31.10.2005 
 Law No. 49/2009 (general regime for entry into economic 
activities)  B.O. No. 49, 
I série 30.12.2009 
Competition  Decree-Law No. 53/2003  24.11.2003  
Customs  Legislative Decree No. 4/2010 approving the new Customs 
Law  03.06.2010 
 Decree-Law No. 23/2014 approving the regulations to the 
Customs Law  B.O. No. 23, 
I série 02.04.2010 
Energy Decree-Law No. 54/1999 (framework law for electricity), 
amended by Decree-Law No. 14/2006 of 20 February  30.08.1999 
 Decree-Law No. 1/2011 (renewable energy and IPPs)  03.01.2011 
 Resolution No. 26/2011 (concession for Electra)  08.08.2011 
 Despacho No. 14/2011 (price cap formula for 2012-2016)   
 Decree-Law No. 19/2009 (price regime for fuel)  22.06.2009 
Financial  services  Law No. 61/VIII/2014 (financial system framework law)  23.04.2014 
 Law No. 62/VIII/2014 (activities and financial institutions 
Law)  23.04.2014 
 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010 (insurance)  17.05.2010 
 Legislative Decree No. 1/2012 (securities market)  27.01.2012 
 Decree-Law No. 58/2013 (book-entry securities)  30.12.2013 
 Decree-Law No. 2/2014 (management of centralized 
securities' systems)  16.01.2014 
 Decree-Law No. 3/2014 (collective investment undertakings)  16.01.2014 
Fisheries  Resolution No. 68/2014 (Acopesca)  26.08.2014 
 Decree-Law No. 53/2005 (framework law for fisheries)  08.08.2005 
 Decree-Law No. 45/2008 (licensing for fishing vessels)  22.12.2008 
 Resolution No. 56/2014 (fis heries management plan for 
2014-2015)  31.07.2014 
 Resolution No. 17/2014 (fisheries charter)  28.02.2014 
Government 
procurement  Law No. 17/VII/2007 (Government procurement law) 
Decree-Law No. 1/2009 (Government procurement regulation) Decree-Law No. 54/2010 (public works)  10.09.2007 
05.01.2009 
 
29.11.2010 
Investment  Law No. 13/VIII/2012 (investment law)  11.07.2012 
 Law No. 26/VIII/2013 (code of fiscal benefits)  21.01.2013 
 Legislative Decree No. 1/2011 (international business 
centres)  31.01.2011 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Subject Acts and orders Chapter or 
Gazette ref. Date 
 Legislative Decree No. 2/2011 (internationalization of 
companies)  21.02.2011 
 
IPR Decree-Law No. 1/2009 (revoking the "Copyright Law" (Law 
No. 101/IV/90))   27.04.2009 
 Industrial Property Code (Legislative Decree No. 4/2007)  20.08.2007 
 Resolution No. 25/2010 (establishment of the Intellectual 
Property Institute of Cabo Verde (IPICV))   24.05.2010 
 Civil Process Code (enforcement)   
Manufacturing Decree-Law No. 13/2010 (industrial activity)  08.11.2010 
 Regulatory Decree No. 3/2011 (industrial register)  24.01.2011 
Maritime 
transport Resolution No. 69/2013 (transport policy charter) 
 B.O. No. 27, 
I série 22.05.2013 
 Deliberation No. 012/CA/2013 (fees and charges by Enapor) B.O. No. 7, 
II série 01.02.2013 
 Legislative Decree No. 10/2010, amended by Legislative 
Decree No. 1/2013 of 12 September, and 
Decree No. 15/2010 of 20 December (ports regulation)  01.11.2010 
 Decree-Law No. 49/2013 (institutional framework for 
regulating ports)  04.12.2013 
 Legislative Decree No. 14/2010 (maritime code)  15.11.2010 
Other duties and 
charges  Resolution No. 67/V/97, approving ECOWAS Protocol 
A/P.1/7/96  31.12.1997 
Price controls  Decree-Law No. 52/2003 
Ministerial Ordinance No. 2/2004  24.11.2003 
19.01.2004 
SPS  Legislative Decree No. 2/2009 (general principles of offenses 
against the economy and public health)  15.06.2009 
 Legislative Decree No. 3/2009 (food safety policy objectives 
and principles)  15.06.2009 
 Decree-Law No. 24/2009 (labelling regime for foodstuffs)  20.07.2009 
 Decree-Law No. 25/2009 (basic food hygiene standards)  20.07.2009 
 Decree-Law No. 32/2010 (public-private sector food safety 
network)  06.09.2010 
 Law No. 29/VIII/2013 (phytosanitary framework law)  13.05.2013 
 Law No. 30/VIII/2013 (veterinary framework law)   13.05.2013 
Taxation Laws No. 47/VIII/2013 2013 (general tax code)  20.12.2013 
 Law No. 48/VIII/2013 (tax procedure code)  20.12.2013 
 Law No. 21/IV/2003, amen ded by Law No. 51/VIII/2013 
of 27 December 2013 (VAT)  14.07.2003 
 Law. No. 22/IV/2003, amended by Laws Nos. 37/VI/2003 of 
31 December 2003, 48/VI/2004 of 26 July 2004, and 10/VIII/2011 of 30 Dece mber 2011 (special consumption tax)  14.07.2003 
 Law No. 17/VIII/2012 (ecological tax)  23.08.2012 
 Law No. 33/VII/2008 (stamp duty)  08.12.2008 
TBT  Decree-Law No. 68/2005 ("Foreign Trade Regime")  31.10.2005 
Telecom  Decree-Law No. 31/2006 (ANAC)  19.06.2006 
 Legislative-Decree No. 7/2005 (framework law for 
telecommunications)  28.11.2005 
Tourism  Law No. 85/VII/2011 (tourism law)  10.01.2011 
 Decree-Law No. 20/2013 (tourism tax)  28.05.2013 
 Decree-Law No. 35/2014 (law on hotel establishments)  17.07.2014 
 Law No. 55/VI/2005 (tourism utility law)  10.01.2005 
 Law No. 75/VII/2010 (special tourist zones)  23.08.2010 
 Decree-Law No. 32/2014 (travel agencies)  27.06.2014 
 Decree-Law No. 6/2011 (tour guides)  24.01.2011 
 Decree-law No. 34/2014 (rural tourism)  17.07.2014 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
2.9.  During the accession negotiations, Cabo Verde stated its intention to establish or designate 
an official journal or website dedicated to the publication of all regulations and other measures WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 18 - 
 
  pertaining to, or affecting, trade in goods or se rvices, or the protection of intellectual property. 
The facility would be updated regularly and made readily available to WTO Members. Early publication of new legal instruments would also allow the receipt of comments prior to the introduction of these new regulations and measures. The new facility would be implemented as 
soon as possible.  
2.10.  Currently, all laws and legal acts, rules, regulations and public notices are published in the 
Official Bulletin in accordance with Article 269 of the Constitution and Decree-Law No. 6/2011 of 
31 January 2011. The requirements ensure that regulations affecting customs, TBT, and SPS 
matters, as well as judicial rulings of general application, are publically available. The Official Bulletin has been available electronically since 2007, allowing online consultation (in Portuguese) 
of all editions since 2001 from its website operated by the National Press ( https://kiosk.incv.cv ).
8 
Hard copies of the Gazette remain on sale, but most users prefer the electronic option. Copies 
of the Official Bulletin can also be consulted at the National Archives and the National Library of Cabo Verde. The IGQPI is responsible for the pr eparation of an intellectual property bulletin 
(Boletim de Propriedade Intelectual ).
9 As a general rule, Cabo Verde does not publish draft 
legislation.  
2.2  Trade Policy Objectives 
2.11.  Cabo Verde does not have any explicitly formulated trade policy at present. Having pursued 
policies of State-led development policies in the early years after independence, focus has gradually shifted towards the private sector as th e engine of growth and prosperity. At the same 
time, efforts have been made to improve government services and enhance the supportive role of 
the public sector in business-led economic development.  
2.12.  An ocean State with a small population, Cabo Verde would be expected to specialize in 
a fairly limited number of goods and services for exports, and be an importer of most 
manufactures. Climatic conditions make Cabo Verde a net importer of land-based agricultural 
commodities, while important marine resources provide a potential for exports that can be explored further. 
2.13.  Cabo Verde is involved in major economic integration efforts on the African continent, 
although the trade impact has been very limited so far. Its application to join the WTO, lodged in 1999, marked a commitment to pursue a gl obally-oriented trade policy based on 
non-discrimination, with appropriate attention to the opportunities for special and differential 
treatment embodied in the multilateral trading system.  
2.14.  In 2003, Cabo Verde created an inter-minist erial working group to assist in the formulation 
of trade policy.
10 The working group was later revamped to provide practical technical 
backstopping to Cabo Verde's process of accessi on to the WTO. After the accession process had 
been completed, the Government maintained an inter-institutional commission for the WTO (CII-OMC) to facilitate the regular interface with WTO activities.
11 However, the CII-OMC appears 
to have been functioning in a somewhat ad hoc manner, generally hampered by a lack of clearly 
defined leadership and inadequate resources to accomplish its mission as originally intended. The role of the Cabo Verde's WTO membership also increasingly needs to be viewed together with the deeper regional integration efforts within the ECOWAS community and its evolving relationship 
with the EU.  
2.15.  The Government therefore decided in Ap ril 2015 to reinforce and restructure the CII-OMC 
into a National Trade Council ( Conselho Nacional do Comércio - CNC), reporting to the Council of 
Ministers. The CNC is seen as a permanent structure for the formulation of trade policy. 
Areas identified for future work include the establishment of a framework for further trade liberalization, multilateral and regional integratio n, repercussions of Cabo Verde's graduation from 
LDC status, enhancement of the competitiveness of the economy generally, the promotion of 
entrepreneurship, the internationalization of domestic enterprises, fostering of private sector development, and poverty reduction, particularly in  rural areas. The CNC is to be equipped with an 
                                               
8 The publications, listed by year, may also be consulted at: https://kiosk.incv.cv/boletins/panorama .  
9 Four editions have been issued so far. 
10 Resolution No. 37/2003 of 31 December 2003. 
11 Resolution No. 23/2010 of 17 May 2010. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 19 - 
 
  executive secretariat as well as technical working groups. Initially, four technical working groups 
are envisaged covering trade negotiations, market access, regional integration, and trade standards. The CNC will have the authority to establish additional working groups as it deems necessary.  
2.3  Trade Agreements and Arrangements 
2.3.1  WTO 2.16.  Cabo Verde became the 153
rd Member of the WTO on 23 July 2008.12 In the multilateral 
negotiations, Cabo Verde participates in the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific 
countries (ACP), the African group, the G-90, and the Recently Acceded Members (RAMs) group.13 
Cabo Verde is also a "W52" sponsor, i.e. among the Members advocating modalities in the negotiations on geographical indications and "disclosure" of the origin of genetic resources and 
traditional knowledge in patent applications.  
2.17.  As a WTO Member, and as part of its membership obligations, Cabo Verde has provided 
notifications on various aspects of its trade regime since 2008 (Table 2.2). 
Table 2.2 Cabo Verde's WTO no tifications, 2008-January 2015  
Agreement 
provision Subject Year of coverage WTO document and date 
Article XVII of the GATT 1994 and its Understanding (State trading) 
Article 
XVII:4(a) and 
Paragraph 1 Completed questionnaire 
(Sociedade Caboverdiana de 
Tabacos, SA )  2008, 2009, 2010 G/STR/N/13/CPV, 17/01/14 
 
Agreement on Agriculture 
 Export subsidies (none) 2008 G/AG/N/CPV/1, 17/07/09 
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
 Decree-Law revising charges for 
animal and plant health 
inspections 
Veterinary framework Law 
Phytosanitary Law 
Sugar cane spirits (product 
requirements)  G/SPS/N/CPV/1, 19/12/13 
 
 
G/SPS/N/CPV/2, 26/05/15  
G/SPS/N/CPV/3, 26/05/15 
G/SPS/N/CPV/4, 08/06/15 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-dumping) 
Article 16.4 
and 16.5 Competent authority and 
domestic proced ures (none)  G/ADP/N/193/CPV, 25/06/10  
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994 (Customs valuation) 
 Entry into force of implementing 
Order  G/VAL/68; 05/03/12 
G/VAL/69, 05/03/12 
Article 22 Legislation implementing the 
Agreement (new Customs Code)  G/VAL/N/1/CPV/1, 17/07/12 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
Article 7.3 Completed questionnaire  G/LIC/N/3/CPV/1, 30/10/09 
G/LIC/N/3/CPV/2, 12/09/11 G/LIC/N/3/CPV/3, 04/04/13  
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) 
Article 63.2 Establishment of Intellectual 
Property Institute of Cabo Verde 
(IPICV)  IP/N/1/CPV/1, 19/08/10 
 
Article 63.2 Laws and regulations 
(copyright)  IP/N/1/CPV/C/1, 13/02/13 
IP/N/1/CPV/2, 13/02/13 
Article 69 Contact points  IP/N/3/CPV/1, 17/04/13 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
                                               
12 Decree-Law No. 23/2009 of 20 July 2009 authorizes BCV to issue a coin to commemorate 
Cabo Verde's membership in the World Trade Organization.  
13 Within the UN system, Cabo Verd e works with 38 other nations in the Small Island Developing States 
(SIDS) forum.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 20 - 
 
  2.3.2  Regional and preferential agreements 
2.3.2.1  African Union and African Economic Community 
2.18.  Cabo Verde signed the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community on 
3 June 1991, and is thus a founding member of the African Union, the successor to the 
Organization of African Unity (OAU). The African Economic Community aims at the establishment 
of a monetary and economic union amongst its members by 2034. 
2.19.  Under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), adopted at the 37th Summit 
of the OAU in July 2001 as an instrument to link Africa and the international community, 
Cabo Verde participates in various programmes and themes fostering regional integration, economic management, entrepreneurial development, agricultural diversification, new information and communication technologies, etc. A National Commission, acting as an interface between 
Cabo Verde and officials responsi ble for the implementation of NEPAD programmes, was set up in 
2002.
14 The commission (DNAPEC) is currently located in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  
2.3.2.2  ECOWAS 
2.20.  Cabo Verde became part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 
in 1976. The institutional framework of ECOWAS comprises a Conference of Heads of State and 
Government, a Commission, a Parliament, a Court of  Justice, and the West African Investment and 
Development Bank. The ECOWAS Treaty calls for fr ee trade, free movement of persons, the right 
of residence and establishment, free movement of  capital, and an Economic Union with a common 
currency.15 At present, Cabo Verde only accords the free movement of persons to citizens of other 
ECOWAS States.16 Cabo Verde does not participate in the West African Economic and Monetary 
Union (WAEMU).17  
2.21.  Free trade among ECOWAS member States is promoted through the ECOWAS Trade 
Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). At the outset (in 1979), the scheme covered only agricultural 
products, handicrafts, and unprocessed goods. The ETLS was extended to industrial goods in 1990, 
and the approval process for granting duty free circulation of manufactured products was made 
easier in 2002. Under current procedures, each member State has a National Approvals Committee 
(NAC) tasked with the examination of applications from manufacturers for ECOWAS origin for the 
goods in question.18 If the ECOWAS rules of origin (section 3.2.4) are met, the NAC approval is 
communicated to the ECOWAS Commission which, in turn, notifies all ECOWAS member States of the approved enterprises and products. According to the Cabo Verdean authorities, the process 
had been completed for six local companies by early 2015; SOCAL  for leather shoes (natural and 
synthetic), Ceris (beer), Technicil  (mineral water), Polineat  (basalt stone), BBS and Fortemoio  
(ornamental stones). Despite all efforts to promote intra-ECOWAS trade, Cabo Verde's commercial 
exchanges with its ECOWAS partners have by-and-large been negligible so far (section 1.3).  
2.22.  ECOWAS countries decided to develop a common agricultural policy (ECOWAP) in 2005. 
Under ECOWAP, each member State develops a nati onal agricultural strategy, and priorities are 
set for investments at the national and regional level (Regional Agricultural Investment Plan - 
RAIP). The ECOWAP promotes food sovereignty, i.e. a reduction in the region's dependence on 
                                               
14 Panapress online information. Viewed at: http://www.panapress.com/Cape-Verde-to-set-up-NEPAD-
Commission--13-466973-18-lang2-index.html . 
15 In addition to the ECOWAS Treaty itself, Cabo Verde has signed the ECOWAS Protocol on Movement 
of Persons and Establishment (1979), the ECOWAS Pr otocol on Community Enterprises (1984), and the 
ECOWAS Energy Protocol (2003).  
16 A residence permit must be obtained within 90 days of the arrival date, and is conditional on 
employment. Cabo Verde is considering participation in the regional third-part y motor vehicle insurance 
scheme.  
17 The members of WAEMU are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte  d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau,  Mali, Niger, Senegal, 
and Togo.  
18 Resolution No. 45/2010 of 30 August 2010 established the NAC of Cabo Verde. The six members of 
the Committee represent the ministry responsible for trade, the ECOWAS unit, the General Directorate of Customs, CVI, and the Chambers of Co mmerce of Sotavento and Barlavento.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 21 - 
 
  food imports. The ECOWAS Regional Agency for Ag riculture and Food (RAAF), which is part of the 
implementation of the common agricultural policy, was launched in September 2013.19  
2.23.  The ECOWAS member States have agreed, in  principle, to establish a Customs Union with 
a common external tariff and the removal of all customs duties, border charges and non-tariff 
barriers such as quotas and prohibitions on intra-ECOWAS trade. Originally, the Customs Union 
should have been set up by 1 January 2000, but this deadline was not met. In December 2001, the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government agreed to negotiate an Economic 
Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU. Moreover, it was decided to establish an ECOWAS 
Common External Tariff (CET) as a prerequisite for the conclusion of the EPA. However, the 
extension of the WAEMU CET to the other members of ECOWAS
20 did not take place as foreseen on 
1 January 2008 due to the tariff disparities persisting among some of the ECOWAS members.21  
2.24.  With the addition of a fifth tariff band (35%) to the four-band WAEMU CET (0, 5%, 10% 
and 20%), ECOWAS ministers of finance agreed to adopt the regional CET in March 2013, and set 1 January 2015 as the target date for implementation by all ECOWAS member States.
22 However, 
implementation has been running behind schedule in Cabo Verde (and elsewhere within ECOWAS). 
Difficulties cited by the Cabo Verdean authorities include late availability of manuals and other implementation documentation (in Portuguese), and the finalization of transitional tariff 
measures.
23 As of May 2015, Cabo Verde had not yet formalized a new target date for its 
implementation of the ECOWAS CET.  
2.3.3  Other agreements and arrangements 2.25.  On 30 March 1980, a group of African Portuguese-speaking countries (Angola, Cabo Verde, 
Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Prín cipe) signed an agreement to provide for free 
trade among themselves. However, this objective has not been achieved so far, notably because existing transportation routes do not provide for direct shipments between the participants. 
The five countries formed an inter-state organization, African Countries of Portuguese Official 
Language ( Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa  - PALOP) in 1992, and founded the 
Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPL P) together with Brazil and Portugal on 
17 July 1996.
24 The CPLP is a forum for mutual cooperation and assistance, including on 
administrative issues such as customs matters (fraud prevention), but does not include any formalized exchange of trade preferences.  
2.26.  Cabo Verde has a preferential bilateral agreement with Mauritania. The agreement remains 
in effect, even though bilateral trade is practically non-existent.
25  
2.27.  Cabo Verde's relationship with the EU is at present governed by the Cotonou Agreement26 
and a "special partnership" agreed in 2007 "to strengthen dialogue and policy convergence 
between the two parties". The six pillars of the "spe cial partnership" do not have any specific trade 
and economic component, but the regional integration component calls for increased participation of Cabo Verde in the cooperation programme between the EU's outermost regions (Macaronesia, 
                                               
19 The RAAF is located in Lomé (Togo).  
20 The non-WAEMU members of ECOWAS are Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and 
Sierra Leone.  
21 WTO (2012). 
22 The agreement was adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State in October 2013. 
23 The common external tariff may be accompanied by  a temporary tax at the national level (Import 
Adjustment Tax/ Taxe d'ajustement à l'importation ) when the ECOWAS CET is lower than the existing national 
tariff. The measure may be applied for a maximum of fi ve years for a maximum of 3% of all tariff lines. 
A surge in extra-ECOWAS imports may also trigger th e application of a Comple mentary Protection Tax 
(Taxe complémentaire de protection ) at the national level (section 3.2.9).  
24 Timor-Leste became the eighth member of CPLP  in 2002, and Equatorial Guinea, the ninth full 
member in 2014. Mauritius, Georgia, Japan, Namibia, Senegal and Turkey are associated observers of the 
CPLP.  
25 Cabo Verde's trade statistics indicate imports from Mauritania worth US$490 in 2007, US$57 in 2008, 
and no imports since then. 
26 The agreement, replacing the Lomé Convention, wa s concluded in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000 
between the EU and 79 countries in the ACP region.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 22 - 
 
  i.e. Madeira, Azores, and the Canary Islands) and requires that the special circumstances of 
Cabo Verde should be examined as the EU and ECOWAS countries negotiate an EPA.27  
2.28.  The EPA negotiations were launched in October 2003 and concluded at the level of senior 
officials in February 2014.28 ECOWAS Heads of State endorsed the EPA for signature on 
10 July 2014. The EPA will enter into force af ter signature and ratification. The Agreement 
establishes joint institutions including a Council, an implementation committee, a Parliamentary Committee, and a civil society forum. The EPA covers trade in goods, development cooperation, 
and clauses that call for further negotiations on services and rules.  
2.29.  The obligations regarding trade in goods are asymmetric in the sense that the EU is 
committed to open its markets to all West African products once the EPA enters into force, while West African States have agreed to liberalize 75% of their trade with the EU over a period of 
20 years. An MFN clause (Article 16) may provide additional preferences to the West African 
countries should the EU become part of a prefer ential agreement with one or more third parties 
after the initialling of the EPA, but also addition al preferences to the EU should the West African 
countries conclude preferential agreements with certain trading partners.
29 Trade remedies, 
including multilateral and bilateral safeguards, are regulated by Chapter 2 of the Agreement. The parties have pledged transparency regarding th eir agricultural policies and domestic support 
measures, and the EU will refrain from the use of agricultural export subsidies for goods exported 
to West Africa. The EPA is accompanied by a development assistance package (Economic Partnership Agreement Development Programme) of minimum €6.5 billion for the years 2015-2019.  
2.30.  Until the EPA enters into force, exports from Cabo Verde to the EU are subject to 
preferential tariff treatment through the EU's GSP scheme. In 2011, Cabo Verde became the first 
African country to be granted "GSP+" status and t hus qualify for enhanced benefits for exports of 
goods and services.
30  
2.31.  Cabo Verde is eligible for preferential access to the United States' market under the African 
Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). Originally, the programme covered the period October 2000 
to September 2008 (AGOA1) but, following legislat ive amendments signed into law in July 2004, 
the programme was extended until 30 September 2015. As of May 2015, US lawmakers were finalizing procedures to extend the AGOA until 30 September 2025.  
2.32.  Exports from Cabo Verde to the United St ates are modest. The share of "AGOA imports" in 
total US imports from Cabo Verde is no more than 5%-10%, and has consisted exclusively 
of agricultural products in recent years.
31 One explanation put forward for the negligible use 
of AGOA has been that Cabo Verde has found it difficult to comply with stricter rules of origin 
under AGOA2 compared with AGOA1.32 The "new AGOA" reportedly retains a 35% value added 
                                               
27 The six pillars of the special partnership fall under  the headings good governance, security/stability, 
regional integration, technology an d standards convergence, knowledge-ba sed society, and poverty alleviation 
and development. See Commis sion of the European Co mmunities, Communication from the Commission to the 
Council and the European Parliament on  the future of relations between the European Union and the Republic 
of Cabo Verde, Brussels, 24 October 2007 [SEC(2007) 1415]. 
28 The parties to the EPA are the EU on one side and the 15 ECOWAS States plus Mauritania on 
the other. 
29 Article 16.3 of the draft text of the EPA excludes  trade preferences exchanged between West Africa 
and other countries in Africa and the ACP region. However, most fa vourable tariff treatment is to apply should 
West Africa conclude a deal with a trading partner re presenting more than 1.5% of world trade (2% if the 
agreement is with a group of countrie s) and an industrialization rate (share of manufacturing value added in 
GDP) of more than 10%, measured in the year prior to  the entry into force of the EPA. According to the 
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Deve lopment, India, China and Brazil are examples of 
developing countries that might fall within this definition.  
30 The enhanced preferential access is granted to trading partners that  ratify and implement 
international conventions relating to human and la bour rights, environment and good governance.  
31 In 2011, the United States imported goods worth nearly US$1.5 million from Cabo Verde, of which 
imports under AGOA accounted for US$154,000. Exports to the United States increased to US$2.1 million in 
2013 while the value of AGOA trade remained st able. AGOA online information. Viewed at: www.AGOA.info .  
32 Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy (2013). WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 23 - 
 
  requirement, stipulating that the direct costs of processing in (one or more) AGOA beneficiary 
countries should constitute at least 35% of the appraised value of the eligible product.33  
2.4  Investment Regime  2.33.  The Government of Cabo Verde has give n priority to the streamlining of business 
registration procedures and the facilitation of investments. The concept of "Business in one day" 
was introduced in 2003.
34 However, online registration procedures were not available until 2010. 
Today, businesses can be registered within 24 hours through the Citizen's Houses ( Casa do 
Cidadão ) provided the necessary documentation is in order.35 Investors can choose between 
incorporation as a limited liability company ( sociedade por quotas ), an individually-owned limited 
liability company ( sociedade unipessoal por quotas ), a joint-stock company ( sociedade anónima –
SA), or an individually-owned joint-stock company ( sociedade unipessoal anónima ). 
The registration fee amounts to CVEsc 10,000, or CVEsc 11,000 if the business is to be registered 
with the Chamber of Commerce.36 Since 2013, the minimum capital re quired to establish any type 
of company is a symbolic CVEsc 1.37  
2.34.  The Government of Cabo Verde established PROMEX (Centre for Tourism, Investment and 
Export Promotion) in 1990 in an attempt to attract foreign investment in exporting enterprises. The agency was replaced by CVI in 2004.
38 The role of CVI is to facilitate investment by guiding 
and assisting potential investors in preparing investment applications to the authorities. 
The institutional framework was further adjusted in 2009 with the creation of ADEI charged with tending to the needs of microbusinesses an d small- and medium-sized enterprises.  
2.35.  Recognizing the need for improvement an d streamlining, work on a one stop shop for 
investors has been continuing. The organization of a single window ( Balcão Único ) for investment 
is detailed in a document issued jointly by CVI and ADEI in July 2014.
39 The electronic platform of 
the single window was launched on 14 November 2014. Henceforth, the investment process is 
defined in four phases; (i) application and qualification, (ii) identification of land, (iii) opinions and 
decisions, and (iv) automated records. In the first phase, investors meet with the front office (CVI) to determine the nature and general feasibility of  the investment project. The three subsequent 
phases are organized as back office functions, performed either by CVI or by ADEI (when an 
investment amounts to less than CVEsc 100 million). The back office agency shall assist the investor in identifying land suitable for the investment project and acting as an intermediary with other public entities on land issues.
40 Foreigners are allowed to own land in Cabo Verde, 
and privately-owned land can be traded. However, the land required for an investment project 
                                               
33 Bridges Africa  (2015), "US Senate votes AGOA re-authorisation for next 10 years; South Africa 
subject to review", 15 May 2015. Viewed at: http://www.ictsd.org/ bridges-news/bridges-africa/news/us-
senate-votes-agoa-re-authorisation-for-next-10-years-south . 
34 Law No. 8/2003 of 13 March 2003. 
35 Citizen's Houses have been esta blished on the islands of Santiago, São Vicente and Sal, and mobile 
units exist on three islands (including  Santiago North and South). In additi on, Citizen's House counters exist in 
several locations including at Enapor in Praia and th e Chambers of Commerce of Sotavento and Barlavento. 
Required documentation includes copies of passports or  identity cards and the presentation of the "Unique 
Taxpayer Reference Number" (UTRN or NIF (in Portug uese)). If the registered business involves the 
participation of an existing legal entity, a valid certificate of its Commercial/Business registration and the minutes of the General Assembly ratifying the estab lishment of that business will also be required.  
36 Chamber of Commerce registration prompts the au tomatic creation of a domain on the internet, 
i.e. the immediate provision of customized email services and the possibility to create a webpage. 
37 Ordinance No. 28/99 of 14 June 1999, which had established much more substantial capital 
requirements, was abolished through Ordinance No. 17/2013 of 14 March 2013. The change was made to facilitate business start-ups, particularly by young entr epreneurs and people with limited financial resources.  
38 CVI also absorbed the Instituto de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Industrial  (IADE), established more 
than ten years earlier.  
39 CI/ADEI (2014).  
40 For tourism projects, a certain nu mber of integrated touristic deve lopment zones (ZDTIs) have been 
created. CVI is the agency responsible for the identification  of suitable land in all ZDTIs except on the islands of 
Boa Vista and Maio, where the responsible agency is the SDTIBM ( Sociedade de Desenvolvimento Turístico das 
Ilhas de Boa Vista e Maio).  The General Directorate of Heritage evaluates the suitability of State land outside 
the ZDTIs, ENAPOR if the land is wi thin 80 metres of the waterfront surro unding the islands, and the Municipal 
Chamber of Deputies is in charge  of the use of municipal land. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 24 - 
 
  may frequently be in public ownership (State or m unicipal land). In such cases, the authorities will 
normally propose a long-term lease (25 to 50 years) rather than an outright sale of the plot.41   
2.36.  Having clarified the use of land, the back of fice proceeds to solicit detailed opinions of public 
authorities about the project (e.g. financial, environmental, or legal considerations). CVI (or ADEI) 
decides on the basis of the opinions received whether the project should go ahead or be shelved.42 
If the green light is given, the back office agency will collect the necessary registration certificates, licences or permits issued by public bodies and co mpile them in a dossier to be handed over to the 
investor.
43 CVI also provides investment registration certificates to the investors.44  
2.37.  When Cabo Verde acceded to the WTO in  2008, the principal elements of the legal 
framework affecting investment were Law No. 89/IV/93 and Regulatory Decree No. 1/94 (conditions and procedures for foreign invest ment), Decree-Law No. 108/89 (the "Industrial 
Statute"), Law No. 99/IV/93 ("Franc Enterprises"), Law No. 92/IV/93 providing incentives for 
exports or re-exports of goods and services, and the Tourism Utility Law (Law No. 55/VI/2005 of 10 January 2005).
45 As some WTO Members had found that certain aspects of Cabo Verde's 
investment regime could be challenged according to the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures, Cabo Verde had been requested to provide a plan for the elimination of such WTO-incompatible provisions and programmes.
46 It was agreed that Cabo Verde's legislation 
should be in full conformity with the Agreem ent on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures by 
1 January 2010, and that any incentives constituting a prohibited subsidy under the Agreement, but granted to firms or individuals prior to WT O accession, would be withdrawn no later than 
1 January 2015.
47  
2.38.  The "Industrial Statute" (Decree-Law No. 108/89) was revoked in 2010.48 Cabo Verde 
introduced a new investment law in 2012, establishing a general framework of rights and guarantees for investments contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
49 
Article 3 provides a positive list of objectives that should guide investments, e.g. job creation, 
reduced socio-economic disparities, incr eased and diversified exports, improved 
balance-of-payments, innovation, and transfer of technology. The law itself does not ban 
investment in specific sectors, but acknowledge s that the activity must be permitted by law 
(Article 11).50 The law applies to domestic and foreign investors alike. Thus, no particular sector or 
activity is reserved for domestic investors, and limitations on ownership are not prescribed. 
However, the law exempts from its scope "projects which, given their nature or size, may merit 
special treatment and support from the State, in cluding through the signing of an Establishment 
Agreement" (Article 5.2).  
                                               
41 The issue of ownership versus leasing could be a negotiating matter. Should the investor prefer 
ownership, no general provision in Cabo Verde's legislation would preclude such a transaction.  
42 It is only at this stage that the investor would make payments for the registration of a company and 
necessary operating permits or licences.  
43 A business requires a licence fro m the municipal authority for its operations. The municipal licence 
system was computerized in 2010, and Cabo Verde also eliminated a requirement that the premises be inspected by the municipal authorities prior to the commencement of operations. The licence as such is issued free of charge, but investors are charged for th e costs of any inspections deemed necessary.  
44 CVI will charge investors for its work on investme nt applications, but the fees do not cover the true 
costs. Most of Cabo Verde's financing is covered by the State budget, or by the World Bank for specific 
cooperation projects. The fee structure is currently under revision, but the intention is for the fees to remain 
nominal and well below cost.  
45 Decree-Law No. 66/97, which had outlined incentiv es for investment  in the financial sector, was 
repealed by Decree-Law No. 12/2005 of 7 February 2005.  
46 Cabo Verde submitted an action plan in 2005 (WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/22, 20 July 2005) and 
subsequently a more detailed explanation and revised timetable in 2007 (WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/29, 19 October 2007). 
47 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, 6 December 2007, paragraph 163.  
48 Legislative Decree No. 13/2010, regulated by Regulatory Decree No. 3/2011 of 24 January 2011. 
49 Law No. 13/VIII/2012 of 11 July 2012. The Law entered into force on 1 January 2013. The foreign 
investment legislation (Law No. 89/IV/93 and Regulatory decree No. 1/94) was simultaneously repealed. The investment law was amended in 2013 (Decree-Law No. 34/2013 of 24 September 2013) to expedite the registration of foreign investment (with BCV). The amendment ensures that the process with the central bank 
is undertaken electronically by CVI the day after it has issued the Investment Registration Certificate to the investor. 
50 This principle is also affirmed in Law No. 49/VII/2009 of 30 December 2009, which sets out the 
general regime of entry into economic  activities. The Law stipulates that no economic activity is closed to 
private investment.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 25 - 
 
  2.39.  Fiscal incentives available to investors are currently outlined in the Code of Fiscal Benefits 
(Law No. 26/VIII/2013 of 21 January 2013). The Co de regulates tax benefits accorded under 
general as well as special regimes, such as th e International Business Centers (CIN), which are 
governed by Legislative Decree No. 1/2011 of 31 January 2011, or establishments set up further 
to the Tourism Utility Statute. More detail on the regime of benefits is provided in section 3.2.4 
and section 3.4.1. Although the current investment law and fiscal benefits legislation govern all new investment projects, or extensions of earlier pr ojects representing at least 25% of the cost of 
the initial investment, the terms governing investments approved before the entry into force of the 
2012 Investment Law and all benefits granted prior to the entry into force of the Code of Fiscal 
Benefits remain valid.  
2.40.  The Investment Law stipulates that any nationalization or expropriation of property may 
only be carried out for reasons of public interest  and against "prompt, full and fair compensation" 
(Article 6.1). In cases of a dispute between  the State of Cabo Verde and an investor, 
the arbitration procedures outlined in the Investment Law (Article 14) would involve either 
recourse to (i) the Framework Law on national arbitration (Law No. 76/IV/2005 of 
17 August 2005), (ii) the rules of the Washington Convention of 15 March 1965; (iii) the Additional 
Facility Rules of 27 September 1978 of the Inte rnational Centre for Settlement of Investment 
Disputes (ICSID); or (iv) the rules of the Inte rnational Chamber of Commerce. Notwithstanding 
the availability of these arbitration procedures, nothing would prevent the matter being referred to 
a court in Cabo Verde should the parties so agree. 
2.41.  The repatriation of investment funds and the free transfer (within 30 days) of profits, 
royalties, commissions or other income is guaranteed through Article 7 of the Investment Law for 
all foreign investment registered with the central bank (BCV). However, should the transferred amount be likely to cause serious disturbance to the balance-of-payments of Cabo Verde, the 
Governor of the central bank may exceptionally decide that the transfer be divided in equal 
quarterly instalments for a period that may not exceed two years.  
2.42.  Cabo Verde has made progress in the area of business start-ups in recent years. According 
to the World Bank, the procedure that involved nine steps during an estimated 24 days in 2009 
has now been reduced to seven steps in ten days.
51 The objective of the new single window for 
investors is to enable completion of the entire investment registration and approval process in a maximum of 75 days.  
2.43.  International comparisons suggest that Cabo Verde still has some way to go to become an 
attractive investment destination. The World Bank's Doing Business 2015  report ranks Cabo Verde 
122
nd among 189 economies on the ease of doing business.52 Although Cabo Verde's ranking is 
relatively favourable on elements such as the en forcement of contracts, registering property, and 
starting a business, the report suggests that Cabo Verde is lagging in other areas, notably in obtaining electricity (133
rd), protecting minority investors (170th), and resolving insolvency 
(189th).53 While Cabo Verde's overall score is better than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa and 
many of its peers in West Africa, the World Bank has only noted significant progress in the areas of starting a business and property registration in recent years.
54 Indeed, the entire advance of 
Cabo Verde in the World Bank's country rankings occurred between 2009 and 2011.55  
                                               
51 World Bank (2009), and World Bank (2014a).  
52 World Bank (2014a).  
53 The bottom score in resolving insolvency stems from the fact that Cabo Verde has had no cases 
involving liquidation or foreclosures in the last five ye ars. Cabo Verde introduced qu alification requirements for 
insolvency administrators, and tightened de adlines in liquidation proceedings in 2011. 
54 The average rank for Sub-Saharan Africa is 142, and Cabo Verde is ahead of local peers such as 
Mozambique (127th), the Gambia (138th), Senegal (161st), Guinea (169th), Guinea-Bissau (179th), and 
Angola (181st). The improvements noted by the World Bank in starting a business are the establishment of the 
online business registration system (2009), elimination of a municipal inspection requirement before a business 
can start operations and computerization of the municipal business licensing system (2010), and abolition of minimum capital requirements (2013). For property registration, positive developments refer to a switch from ad valorem to fixed rate registration fees (2010), the stipulation of time limits in the registration process 
(2011), and computerization of the land registry (2013). Improvements in the credit information system were made in 2009, 2011, and 2014. In the area of paying ta xes, the corporate tax rate was reduced in 2009, and 
stamp duties on sales and checks were eliminated in  2010. Cabo Verde introduced a minimum wage in 2014. 
55 Cabo Verde moved from 146th place among 183 economies in Doing Business 2010  to 119th place in 
Doing Business 2012 . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 26 - 
 
  2.44.  Cabo Verde has concluded bilateral investment treaties with nine countries – Angola, 
Austria, China, Cuba, Germany, Italy, Netherla nds, Portugal, and Switzerland. The agreements 
were signed between 1990 and 1998. Except for the treaty with Italy (signed in 1997) all agreements are currently in force. Vis-à-vis  the United States, the Trade and Investment 
Framework Agreement (TIFA), which was concluded with the 15 ECOWAS member States in 
August 2014, provides the mechanism for expanding ties through trade and investment. Cabo Verde has concluded agreements regarding the avoidance of double taxation (of income and 
capital) with Portugal (1999) and Macao, China (2012). Agreements with Spain, Singapore and 
Mauritius are under negotiation.  
2.45.  According to UNCTAD estimates, foreign investments in Cabo Verde peaked in 2008 at over 
US$250 million, and remained above US$150 million annually through 2011. The level of inward 
investment then fell sharply to reach US$19 million in 2013 (Chart 2.1). According to BCV, the 
decline was due to a generally unfavourable investment climate worldwide, continued economic weakness in the euro zone, and a slowdown of the local economy since 2011.
56 The stock of 
foreign investment stood at almost US$1.6 billion at the end of 2013. FDI outflows from 
Cabo Verde are negligible, and totalled only US$2 million during 2011 to 2013.57  
Chart 2.1 FDI flows in Cabo Verde, 2000-13 
(US$ million) 
050100150200250300
2000-2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Source: UNCTAD STAT online information. Viewed at: 
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx . 
2.46.  Most foreign investment in Cabo Verde is channelled into the tourism sector, followed by 
banking and financial services. The investors have traditionally been of European origin, notably 
from the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, an d Spain. A recent trend has been increasing 
investment from Angola, focusing on banking, telecommunications, and inter-island transportation.
58 
                                               
56 BCV (2014b). The authorities also suggest that the reported decline is exaggerated by changes in the 
tourism sector. Large one-time investments dominated in the past. At present, tourism projects tend to be 
phased-in over time in several smaller investments.  
57 UNCTAD (2014b).  
58 Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy (2013), p. 61. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 27 - 
 
  3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
3.1  Introduction 3.1.  Together with more than 80 other countries around the world, Cabo Verde is using the 
UNCTAD Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) for customs processing and clearance. 
Cabo Verde began using the ASYCUDA in 1988, and ASYCUDA++ has been operational since 
1 January 2003. A multipurpose software applicat ion, ASYCUDA enables electronic exchange of 
data between national operators, the customs administration, foreign counterparts and 
international institutions. The system is installed at Customs Headquarters in Praia as well as in 
all 12 customs offices across Cabo Verde. The European Union has agreed to provide funding for the upgrading of the system to ASYCUDAWorld.
1 The new version should be ready for the entry of 
data as from 1 August 2015. With the completion of test, training and finalization, ASYCUDAWorld 
should be fully operational by the end of this year. Fully implemented, this web-based platform 
should complete the transformation to paperless customs clearance in Cabo Verde.  
3.2.  A longer-term project is also underway to integrate the Port Management Information 
System (JUP) used by the port operator ENAPOR, the electronic system of licensing/approval of 
imports and exports ( Título do Comércio Externo - TCE), and the customs procedures of the 
General Directorate of Customs (DGALF) to create a single window for international trade (JUCE). 
The World Bank has noted that the consolidatio n of the two systems is expected to produce 
efficiency gains, including a reduction in the number of days needed to complete an import transaction from 18 in 2013 to less than 15 by 2016.
2  
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Imports 
3.2.1  Import procedures and requirements 
3.3.  The general regime for the start-up and regist ration of businesses is described in section 2.4. 
For commercial operators, i.e. importers, export ers, wholesalers, retailers, commercial agents, 
travelling salesmen, market vendors ( feirante ), or traders ( negociante ), an additional system of 
approval and registration is applied further to Decree-Laws Nos. 59/1999, 69/2005 (of 31 October 2005) and 30/2009 of 17 August 2009 (section 4.5.5.1). Commercial operators 
register with the Department responsible fo r commerce at the Conservatory of Commercial 
Registry and obtain an operating permit.
3 The authority to issue operating permits has been 
delegated to the Chamber of Commerce. Neither the Conservatory nor the Chamber of Commerce apply any kind of economic needs test. Industrial enterprises importing for their own needs and 
tourism establishments do not have to register.
4  
3.4.  In the course of its accession negotiations, Cabo Verde acknowledged that its business 
licensing legislation could be at odds with GATT Articles III and VIII with respect to minimum 
capital requirements, warehouse ownership restrict ions, registration fees, and other registration 
provisions. An action plan was accordingly pres ented to revise provisions governing minimum 
capital, warehousing, and fees by December 2008, and other aspects of Decree-Law No. 69/2005 
by the end of 2010.5  
3.5.  Based on Decree Law No. 69/2005, new ordinances regulating the issuance of ID cards for 
commercial operators and the annual renewal of their operating permits were issued in the second 
                                               
1 Macauhub  "União Europeia vai pagar novo sistema in formático das alfândegas de Cabo Verde" 
19 December 2013. Viewed at: http://www.macauhub.com.mo/pt/2013/12/19/uniao-europeia-vai-pagar-
novo-sistema-informatico-das-alfandegas-de-cabo-verde .  
2 The time frame refers to custom s clearance and technical controls, port and terminal handling, and 
inland transportation and handling of a standard ship ment as measured in the World Banks' Doing Business 
2014. World Bank/International Development Association, Program document for the Eighth Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC-8), Report No. 73468-CV, 27 March 2014.  
3 The purpose of the Conservatory of Commercial Registry is stipulated in Decree-Law No. 25/2008 
of 1 September 2008. The form to be used for the inscription in the Registry is presented in Ordinance 
No. 34/2008 of 8 September 2008.  
4 Industrial enterprises register as  such in the Industrial Registry. 
5 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/21/Rev.1, 25 June 2007.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 28 - 
 
  half of 2008.6 The ID card issued to the operator indica tes the type of commercial activity he/she 
is licensed for and the product group(s) subject to trading.  
3.6.  The fees associated with the registration system are detailed in Ordinances Nos. 32/2008 of 
1 September 2008 and 44/2008 of 22 December 2008. The licence fee for a wholesale 
establishment amounts to CVEsc 20,000 per year. The fees for the initial establishment of a 
wholesaler and subsequent inspections vary accord ing to the commercial area of the establishment 
according to Ordinance No. 44/2008 (Articles 2 and 3). The fees for retailers, travelling salesmen, 
market vendors, and traders are determined at the municipal level. These may therefore vary from 
one location to another.   
3.7.  Foreign enterprises may act as commercial agents in Cabo Verde through the establishment 
of a subsidiary or any other form of representation registered in accordance with Cabo Verde's 
commercial legislation.7 As noted in section 2.4, an enterprise (including a commercial operator) 
may now be established with an initial capital of as little as CVEsc 1.  
3.8.  The establishment of pharmacies is regulated according to Decree-Law No. 34/2007 of 
24 September 2007 and two orders of the Ministry of Health.8 The opening of a new pharmacy is 
subject to an economic needs test. As a general rule, a pharmacy should serve at least 6,000 inhabitants and pharmacies should be a minimum of 400 metres apart.
9 Decisions to allow 
the establishment of additional pharmacies are ta ken by the Directorate General of Pharmacies in 
consultation with local health councils, ARFA, and associations representing the interests of consumers. Positive decisions are followed by a public tender called by the Director General of Pharmacies. Professional requirements apply to po tential candidates, in particular the technical 
director of the pharmacy. Successful bidders must subsequently obtain an establishment licence 
from the Directorate General of Pharmacies and a commercial activity licence from the municipality. Specific requirements apply to the physical installations, and the medicaments sold 
by pharmacies must be included in the national list of approved pharmaceuticals.
10  
3.2.2  Ordinary customs duties 3.9.  Cabo Verde bound all tariff lines upon a ccession at rates averaging 20.8% in agriculture 
(WTO definition) and 17.7% for non-agricultural products.
11 Reduction commitments are to be 
implemented by 2018, leading to an average final bound MFN rate of 15.9% (overall); 19.3% in agriculture and 15.4% for other goods (Table 3.1).
12 All duties were bound at ad valorem  rates.  
                                               
6 The forms to be used were published as attachments to Ordinance No. 42/2008 of 15 December 2008. 
At registration, the operator is requested to indicate the product group(s) he/she will be trading. According to Decree-Law No. 69/2005, the 21 product categories have been established by ECOWAS and is based on the Harmonized System.  
7 Article 17.4 of Decree-Law No. 69/2005.  
8 Orders Nos. 31/2007 and 32/2007 of 15 October 2007.  
9 Ownership restrictions also apply.  No individual or enterprise ma y own or operate more than three 
pharmacies, and only one pharmacy in smaller islands.  
10 The lists of recognized privately-owned pharmaci es and approved pharmaceuticals can be accessed 
from the website of the Ministry of Health. Viewed at: http://www.minsaude.gov.cv/index.php/farmacias/lista-
medicamentos .  
11 WTO document WT/ACC/10/Rev.4, 11 January 2010. The bound rates in that document do not match 
the rates in Table 3.1 in each case due to nomenclature changes.  
12 In April 2009, Cabo Verde informed WTO Members that the first reductions in tariff rates had not 
been implemented as foreseen on 1 January 2009 due to  economic difficulties. Requesting a waiver until 
1 January 2010, Cabo Verde pledged to implement the 2009 and 2010 tariff cuts simultaneously on 
1 January 2010, and ensure that the initial delay would not affect the timetable for the remaining reductions 
set out in Cabo Verde's Goods Schedule. The Gene ral Council granted the waiver on 28 July 2009 
(WTO document WT/L/768, 31 July 2009). WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 29 - 
 
  Table 3.1 Structure of applied MF N tariffs in Cabo Verde, 2015 
(%) 
  2008 2015 Final bounda 
Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Simple average tariff rate 10.8 10.3 15.9 
Agricultural products (WTO definition) 12.0 12.0 19.3 
Non-agricultural products (WTO definition) 10.6 10.0 15.4 
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (ISIC 1) 9.3 9.3 17.1 
Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2) 2.5 2.5 6.6 
Manufacturing (ISIC 3) 11.0 10.5 16.1 
Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 42.7 44.1 5.1 
Simple average rate of dutiable lines only 18.8 18.4 16.8 
Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines) 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tari ff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
Non-ad valorem  tariffs with no AVEs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
Domestic tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)b 6.9 6.6 2.5 
International tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)c 32.1 30.6 44.0 
Overall standard deviation of applied rates 13.4 13.3 12.8 
Nuisance applied rates (% of all tariff lines)d 0.0 0.8 0.0 
a Final bound rates are based on the 2015 tariff schedule in HS07 nomenclature. Implementation 
 period up to 2018. b Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exceed ing three times the overall simple average applied 
rate. 
c International tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%. d Nuisance rates are those greater than zero, but less than or equal to 2%. 
Note: The 2008 tariff is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,584 tariff lines (at 10-digit tariff line 
level). 
 The 2015 tariff is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,768 tariff lines (at 10-digit tariff line 
level). 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations based on WTO ID B, CTS databases, and information provided by the 
authorities. 
3.10.  Peak bound rates of 50% or 55% cover items such as chocolate, soft drinks, beer, spirits, 
cigars, raw fur skins and fur clothing, soap and detergents, carpets and floor coverings, wigs, 
drinking glasses, worked ivory, certain motor vehicles (new or second-hand), and furniture.13 
Cabo Verde does not participate in any of the sectoral market access initiatives, but bound a significant number of tariff lines at zero for goods included in the Information Technology 
Agreement and in the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.  
3.11.  On average, Cabo Verde's applied MFN tariffs are well below the bound level. The simple 
average applied rate fell slightly from 10.8% in 2008 to 10.3% in 2015 due to a higher incidence of duty-free tariff lines and tariff reductions for some manufactured goods. Rates vary from zero to 
50% with the highest average tariffs affecting broad product categories such as clothing (34.1%); 
beverages, spirits, and tobacco (31.3%); and fish and fishery products (22.9%) (Table 3.2).
14 
This pattern is also confirmed when the tariff averages are calculated by HS 2-digit product groups 
(Table A3.1).  
                                               
13 For the peak tariffs, the bound rates were in most  cases 57% upon accession with reductions (to 55% 
or 50%) to be implemented by 2013.  
14 The MFN ad valorem  rates in Cabo Verde's customs tariff are 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 
and 50%.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Table 3.2 Cabo Verde's applied MFN tariff summary, 2015  
 Number of 
lines Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Share of 
duty free 
lines 
(%) CVa 
Total 5,768  10.3 0-50 44.1 1.3  
HS 01-24 819 14.2 0-50 23.7 0.9 
HS 25-97 4,949  9.7 0-50 47.4 1.4  
By WTO category  
WTO agricultural products 762 12.0 0-50 29.5 1.1  
Animals and products thereof 95 17.3 0-50 9.5 0.6 
Dairy products 29  8.6 5-20 0 0.6  
Fruit, vegetables, and plants 200 9.2 0-30 40.5 1.0 
Coffee and tea 52  16.1 5-50 0 1.0  
Cereals and preparations 91 14.0 0-40 11.0 0.8 
Oils seeds, fats, oil and their products 87  2.2 0-5 55.2 1.1  
Sugars and confectionary 18 8.9 5-30 0 0.9 
Beverages, spirits and tobacco 55  31.3 0-50 14.5 0.5  
Cotton 7 0 0 100.0 0 
Other agricultural products, n.e.s. 128  9.7 0-50 48.4 1.4  
WTO non-agricultural products 5,006  10.0 0-50 46.3 1.3 
Fish and fishery products 127  22.9 0-40 3.9 0.3  
Minerals and metals 981 5.6 0-50 65.3 1.8 
Chemicals and photog raphic supplies 967  3.6 0-50 75.1 2.4  
Wood, pulp, paper and furniture 264 11.0 0-50 25.8 1.3 
Textiles 606  15.4 0-50 5.3 0.7  
Clothing 219 34.1 20-40  0 0.2 
Leather, rubber, footwear and travel 
goods 179 17.4 0-50 22.3 0.8  
Non-electric machinery 574 2.7 0-30 75.8 2.3 
Electric machinery 332  8.9 0-30 30.1 1.1  
Transport equipment 300 17.9 0-50 31.7 1.0 
Non-agricultural products, n.e.s. 435  13.0 0-50 39.1 1.2  
Petroleum 22 5.5 0-20 18.2 0.9 
By ISIC sectorb 
ISIC 1 - Agriculture, hunting and fishing 325 9.3 0-50 43.1 1.3 
ISIC 2 - Mining and quarrying 104  2.5 0-40 72.1 2.8  
ISIC 3 – Manufacturing 5,338  10.5 0-50 43.6 1.3 
By stage of processing  
First stage of processing 675 8.0 0-50 47.6 1.4 
Semi-processed products 1,819  5.0 0-50 57.9 1.5  
Fully-processed products 3,274  13.7 0-50 35.6 1.1 
a Coefficient of Variation. 
b International Standard Industrial  Classification (Rev.2). Electricity, gas and water are excluded 
(1 tariff line). 
Note: The 2015 tariff is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,768 tariff lines (at 10-digit tariff line 
level).  
 0 implies 0 (not rounded), whil e 0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on IDB data base and information provid ed by the authorities.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 31 - 
 
  3.12.  The tariff analysis carried out by the WTO Secretariat indicates that current applied MFN 
rates are above the bound levels for 19 tariff lines.15 For an additional 13 lines, which are still 
subject to staged tariff reductions until they reach zero in 2016 or 2018, the current applied rates are also above the respective bound rates derived from the "staging matrix".  
3.13.  As noted in section 2, ECOWAS member States have agreed, in principle, to establish a 
Customs Union with a CET. Although the negotiations to establish the common tariff took much more time than anticipated, the ECOWAS CET was approved at the political level in 2013, and was 
targeted for implementation in all member States by 1 January 2015. The CET has not yet come 
into force in Cabo Verde, but the authorities are aiming at concluding the outstanding work before the end of 2015.  
3.14.  The ECOWAS CET comprises 5,899 tariff lines at the ten-digit level, using the 2012 version 
of the Harmonized System nomenclature. The CET has five tariff bands (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 
and 35%). When the CET replaces the national tari ff Cabo Verde, the tariff dispersion will be 
significantly reduced as the maximum rate is lowered from 50% to 35%, but also because the 
incidence of zero-duty applied MFN rates will fall from 44.0% at present to 1.4% (Table 3.3). 
Overall, the simple average MFN tariff increases from 10.4% to 12.3%, pushing the average tariff higher in agriculture (15.5% vs. 12%), manufactures (12.4% vs. 10.6%), as well as mining and 
quarrying (5.1% vs. 2.5%).  
Table 3.3 Structure of ECOWAS CET, 2015 
(%) 
  2015 
Simple average tariff rate 12.3 
Agricultural products (WTO definition) 15.5 
Non-agricultural products (WTO definition) 11.7 
Agriculture, hunting, forest ry and fishing (ISIC 1) 11.9 
Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2) 5.1 
Manufacturing (ISIC 3) 12.4 
Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 1.4 
Simple average rate of dutiable lines only 12.4 
Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines) 0.0 
Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 
Non-ad valorem  tariffs with no AVEs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 
Domestic tariff peaks (%  of all tariff lines) a 0.0 
International tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines) b 38.9 
Overall standard deviatio n of applied rates 7.5 
Nuisance applied rates (% of all tariff lines) c 0.0 
a Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exceed ing three times the overall simple average applied 
rate. 
b International tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%. 
c Nuisance rates are those greater than zero, but less than or equal to 2%.  
Note: The 2015 tariff is based on HS12 nomenclature consisting of 5,899 tariff lines (at 10-digit tariff line 
level). 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on WTO ID B, CTS databases, and information provided by the 
authorities. 
 
                                               
15 The General Directorate of Customs has prepared an amendment that would address the majority of 
these cases. However, as long as the amendment has not been published in the Official Bulletin, the higher rates remain in effect.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 32 - 
 
  3.15.  The simple average ECOWAS CET (12.4%) is lower than the simple average of Cabo Verde's 
final bound rates (15.9%). Nevertheless, on a lin e-by-line basis the CET exceeds the bound rates 
in numerous cases. An analysis carried out by the WTO Secretariat indicates CET rates above the bound levels for 516 (ten digit) tariff lines using the 2015 bound rates, increasing to 521 tariff 
lines compared with Cabo Verde's final bound rates (2018). The incidence of CET rates higher than 
bound rates is not uniform across-the-board, but most pronounced for raw and processed meat and fish, tobacco, machinery, equipment, and marine vessels, i.e. in HS Chapters 2, 4, 15, 16, 24, 
34, 83 to 85, and 88 (Chart 3.1).  
3.16.  During an interim period, Cabo Verde's futu re applied MFN tariff could be even higher than 
the ECOWAS CET. In instances where implementati on of the CET results in tariff reductions 
vis-à-vis  the previous "national" rate on a line-by-line basis, ECOWAS member States have the 
possibility of applying an Import Adjustment Tax ( Taxe d'ajustement à l'importation ) during a 
maximum five years. The tax may be equal to the difference between the current "national" MFN rate and the CET, as long as the difference does  not exceed 20%. Moreover, the adjustment tax 
may not affect more than 3% of the total number of tariff lines, i.e. 177 tariff lines at most.  
3.17.  In April 2015, the Secretariat learned that Cabo Verde had forwarded a request for the 
application of the Import Adjustment Tax to th e ECOWAS Secretariat, and that ECOWAS clearance 
was pending. Without precise information about the incidence of the Import Adjustment Tax, 
the tariff information is presented in this section on the basis of the CET applied without any transition mechanism.  
3.18.  Implementation of the ECOWAS CET requires Cabo Verde to renegotiate its tariff 
concessions in the WTO, and Cabo Verde has invoked its right to modify its Goods Schedule during 
the three-year period commencing on 1 January 2015.
16 As Cabo Verde is not the only ECOWAS 
member State facing this situation, the ECOWAS Secretariat has offered to assist its members in 
these negotiations.17  
3.2.3  Other duties and charges (ODCs) 3.19.  Cabo Verde has bound "other charges and duties" (Article II:1(b) of the GATT 1994) 
at 0.5% for all tariff lines. The rate corresponds  to the ECOWAS Community Levy, collected by all 
ECOWAS members on imports from non-ECOWAS co untries. Cabo Verde raised CVEsc 264 million 
from this levy on imports in 2014 (see Chart 1.1). The proceeds are remitted to the ECOWAS Secretariat to finance its operations.  
3.20.  Simultaneously with the implementation  of the ECOWAS CET, the Community Integration 
Levy is set to increase to 1.5% on all non-ECOWAS imports. Cabo Verde's renegotiation of its tariff 
commitments will thus also need to cover ODCs across the board.  
                                               
16 WTO document G/MA/322, 7 January 2015.  
17 By the end of 2014, the WTO had also received invocations from Togo (G/MA/308, 
4 December 2014), Côte d'Ivoire (G/MA/310, 10 December 2014), Mali (G/MA/314, 16 December 2014), 
Niger (G/MA/321, 23 December 2014), Senegal (G/MA/323, 7 January 2015), Guinea (G/MA/324, 
7 January 2015), Ghana (G/MA/325, 7 January 2015), Nigeria (G/MA/326, 7 January 2015), 
Burkina Faso (G/MA/327, 8 January 2015), and Benin (G/MA/328, 8 January 2015).  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Simple average tariffs by HS chapter, 2015 
0510152025303540455055
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60ECOWAS CET Bound tariff rates
051015202530354045
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
05101520253035404550
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97%
0.0-10% None
>10-20%
>50%Number of tariff lines with CET
higher than Cabo Verde's bound 
tariff as a share of total tariff lines 
in each chapter >20-50%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat's estimates based on tariff in formation provided by the authorities and WTO CTS 
database. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 34 - 
 
  3.2.4  Tariff quotas, and tariff exemptions 
3.21.  Cabo Verde's Goods Schedule does not establish tariff quotas for any product. Cabo Verde 
does not use this policy instrument to regulate imports. 
3.22.  Tariff exemptions are granted by applic ation only (Article 318 of the Customs Law). 
Until recently, requests for exemptions were lodged with the local customs offices (in hard copy) 
and forwarded by them to the General Director ate of Customs in Praia for decision. In 2011, 
the application process became integrated with ASYCUDA++, and is now an entirely computerized 
platform. Requests are keyed into the system  by customs brokers, using the electronic 
identification number (TCE) of their client. The we b-based application allows brokers to check the 
status of every request through each step of the decision process.18  
3.23.  The Code of Fiscal Benefits19 (Chapter VII) outlines specific customs duty exemptions for 
the agricultural sector, stockbreeding and fisheries (Article 42), manufacturing enterprises included 
in the Industrial Registry (Article 43), civil aviation (Article 44), maritime transport (Article 45), and the media (Article 47). Moreover, the Code of Fiscal Benefits includes provisions 
(Articles 47-56) granting customs duty exemptions to (i) diplomatic and consular missions and 
their staff; (ii) imported goods received as humanitarian assistance by religious groups, or as part of development aid; (iii) goods brought into Cabo Verde by non-profit organizations working under 
patronage in the area of culture, sports, educat ion, technology, and science; (iv) wheelchairs and 
specially-built vehicles for the disabled; (v) musical instruments and sports equipment for schools, sports clubs, the Cabo Verde Olympic Committee, etc.; (vi) goods for the exclusive official use of the armed forces, the police, fire brigades, and penitentiaries; and (vii) imported equipment and 
materials for electoral campaigns.  
3.24.  The Code of Fiscal Benefits (Article 15) states that investments made under the Investment 
Law are exempt from customs duties when they involve the importation of goods linked to the 
main purpose of the investment and not for resale, i.e. steel structures and construction materials, 
machinery, tools, utensils, and other equipment as well as spare parts and accessories to such equipment.
20 Article 15 also enumerates sector-specific exemptions such as new vehicles for urban 
transportation of passengers and heavy vehicles for the transportation of goods; vehicles for the 
collective transportation of industrial workers;  imports of scientific equipment, laboratory 
materials, software and similar items for scientific and educational purposes; and specific broadcasting equipment (transmission towers, ante nnas and poles, mobile TV studios, and special 
purpose vehicles). Licensed tourism establishments may also import duty-free furniture, 
equipment and utensils; light vehicles for the transportation of tourists; pleasure boats; and other equipment for cultural, sports and leisure activi ties. Second-hand equipment and motor vehicles 
may not b e  e xe mp ted  from c us toms  d utie s  if the y are  more  than five  ye a rs  old . An e nte rp rise 
licenced in any of Cabo Verde's International Business Centres (section 2.4) may also benefit from customs duty exemptions on investment materials and equipment, packaging and packaging 
materials, as well as for raw materials and semi-manufactures incorporated in their production 
processes (Article 20). Enterprises receiving tax benefits for "internationalization" are also eligible for customs duty exemptions (Article 17), although the exemptions are not specified in the Code of 
Fiscal Benefits.  
3.25.  Data provided by the authorities on the revenue foregone through exemptions from import 
duties, ECOWAS community levy, VAT, and Special Consumption Tax (SCT) indicates a variable, but nevertheless significant, volume of exemptions over the last three years (Table 3.4). Relative 
to the amount of customs duty collected (Table 1.2), the tariff exemptions corresponded to 28.5% 
of the total revenue from customs duties in 2012, and 20.7% in 2013.  
                                               
18 The electronic system is not limited to custom s duties, but handles requ est for exemptions from 
internal taxes and the ECOWAS commun ity levy on the same platform.  
19 Law No. 26/VIII/2013 of 21 January 2013. 
20 The exemptions do not extend to cement, pain ts, varnishes, PVC pipes,  plumbing equipment, 
electrical equipment (except incandescent light bulb s), stoves, hot plates, thermal accumulators, certain 
refrigerators, and electronic goods.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Tariff and tax exemptions, 2012-14 
Year Requests 
received Requests Value of Exemptions 
(CVEsc Mill.) Total 
Value 
Accepted Granted 
in part Refused  Tariff ECOWAS  
levy VAT SCT 
2012 5,478 4,565 756 155 1,570.6 68.8 2,509.2 215.2 4,363.9 
2013 4,639 4,052 427 146 1,125.0 33.1 1,291.0 231.7 2,680.8 
2014 4,736 4,278 320 112 1,677.1 58.3 2,401.4 237.0 4,373.8 
Source: General Directorate of Customs (DGALF). 
3.2.5  Fees and charges for services rendered 
3.26.  Customs clearance in Cabo Verde is subject to a custom user fee ( taxa de utilização das 
alfândegas ).21 During the negotiations on Cabo Verde' s accession to the WTO, some WTO Members 
were of the view that the fee, levi ed at a flat rate of 1.04% of the  CIF value of imported goods,  
was not in conformity with Article VIII of the GATT 1994. Although Cabo Verde referred to studies 
of customs expenditures that suggested that the fee was roughly commensurate to the cost of the 
services rendered, Cabo Verde agreed to launch a new study to redesign the customs processing 
fee, possibly introducing a minimum and maximum charge per transaction. Cabo Verde undertook 
to revise its legislation regarding the customs user fee before the end of 2012. The issue is still 
under consideration.  
3.27.  The Budget Law for 2013 (Article 31) introduced an additional statistical tax ( taxa estatística 
aduaneira – TEA) for imports and exports processed through ASYCUDA++. The tax is applied to 
finance the computerization of customs clearance. The basic fee amounts to CVEsc 5,000 per 
customs declaration filed. The declaration can be amended with the addition of goods against an 
additional fee of CVEsc 1,500, or the removal of items that have entered the customs process 
against payment of CVEsc 3,000. The charge for declarations processed through ASYCUDA++ for 
goods that are tariff exempt amounts to CVEsc 6,000 (and an additional CVEsc 1,500 if the declaration is amended).  
3.28.  Goods that are abandoned (but subsequently released) or delayed in the processing through 
customs are subject to a surcharge of 5% of the customs value, constituting revenue for the State (Article 653 of the Customs Law).  
3.29.  Fees and charges for port services performed by the state-owned ENAPOR ( Empresa 
Nacional de Administração dos Portos ), including charges for arrival, departure, transit, berthage, 
mooring, tugging, use of equipment, and the su pply of water and electricity, are detailed in 
Deliberation No. 012/CA/2013 of 1 February 2013. The Deliberation may be consulted at the 
website of ENAPOR ( www.enapor.cv ). It may be noted that local traffic and coastal fishing vessels 
are exempt from the arrival and berthage fee (Article 10), and the port usage fee is not applied to 
fish, fishing nets, and other equipment belonging to fishing vessels (Article 14). Any changes to 
the current fees and charges will have to be decided by the Agência Marítima e Portuária .22  
3.30.  Fees on imports of foodstuff, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals are levied to finance the 
activities of the ARFA (section 3.4.3).  
3.2.6  Internal taxes 
3.31.  Taxes are levied and collected in Cabo Verde in accordance with the General Tax Code and 
the Tax Procedure Code.23 The General Tax Code does not specify the applicability of individual 
                                               
21 Ministerial Ordinance No. 71/78 of 14 October 1978 as amended by Ministerial Ordinance No. 27/79 
of 28 April 1979.  
22 The agency replaced the Instituto Marítimo Portuário  at the end of 2013. The agency and ENAPOR are 
both under the aegis of the Ministry of  Maritime Infrastruct ures and Economy. 
23 Laws Nos. 47/VIII/2013 and 48/V III/2013 of 20 December 2013. The laws entered into force on 
1 July 2014, and replaced legislation in place for more th an 20 years. The purpose of the new legislation is to WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 36 - 
 
  taxes, but sets out general rights and obligations in relation to tax matters. In addition, the Tax 
Execution Code (Law No. 49/VIII/2013 of 26 December 2013) regulates the enforcement of tax debts and refunds.  
3.32.  Imported goods are subject to VAT, and may also be subject to Special Consumption Tax 
and an Ecological Tax. Cabo Verde introduced VAT on goods and services on 1 January 2004.
24 
VAT is levied at a single rate of 15.5%, in principle.25 On imports, VAT is applied on the customs 
value inclusive of import duties and other border  charges. Exports are exempt from VAT. Tourism 
establishments were subject to a lower rate of VAT (6%) from 2005 until 2012. Furthermore, from 
2008 onwards certain goods and services subject to price regulation (petroleum products, electricity, water, telecommunication services, an d maritime transport of goods) were effectively 
taxed to a lesser degree, as VAT was applied only to  a fraction of the basic tariff. However, except 
for butane gas, these VAT reductions have been cancelled through the State Budget law for 2013 
(and in subsequent years).
26  
3.33.  The State does not pay VAT on operations in the exercise of its governmental authority, 
and services provided by non-profit organization s (trade unions and organizations of a political, 
religious, patriotic, humanitarian, philanthropic, recreational, sporting, cultural, environmental or civic nature) are exempt from VAT. Some goods and services related to agriculture, forestry, 
livestock and fishing are also exempted according to the VAT Law, as well as "staple" goods and 
certain agricultural inputs.
27 Furthermore, VAT exemptions may accorded as investment 
incentives, e.g. in the so-called Establishment Agreements.  
3.34.  With respect to the taxpayers, operators who do not have an annual income exceeding 
CVEsc 180,000 and do not engage in importation, expo rtation or similar activities do not need to 
add VAT to their invoices, and operators earning up to CVEsc 5 million per year may opt for a simplified regime (5% VAT).
28  
3.35.  Certain goods are subject to a Special Consumption Tax ( Imposto sobre Conumos Especiais 
- SCT)29 SCT is applied on domestic products when the manufactured good leaves the production 
facility, and at the border for imports. The SCT is principally levied on alcoholic beverages, 
tobacco, petroleum products, precious stones and jewellery, motor vehicles, yachts, firearms and 
certain works of art (Table A3.2). The standard rate of SCT is 10%, and higher rates apply to 
tobacco products (20%), alcoholic beverages (40%), and used motor vehicles for the transportation of passengers or goods (40% to 150%).
30  
3.36.  Imported and domestically-produced goods sold in non-biodegradable packaging, 
or packaging generating waste (e.g. cardboard, paper, bottles, plastic and metal), are subject 
                                                                                                                                               
enhance tax compliance, and reduce th e scope for fraud and tax evasion. Th e General Tax Code stipulates that 
even illicit acts may be taxable if cert ain requirements are met (Article 9).  
24 The basic legal provision is VAT Regulation Law No. 21/IV/2003 of 14 July 2003, last modified by 
Law No. 51/VIII/2013 of 27 December 2013.  
25 A volcanic eruption began on Fogo Island in la te November 2014. Mobilizing resources to repair the 
extensive damage caused by it, the VAT rate wa s increased from 15% to 15.5% with effect from 
1 January 2015. The rate hike is intended as an extraordinary and temporary measure for the year 2015. The higher rate is applied to all goods and services, ex cept water and electricity, which continue to be taxed 
at 15%.  
26 Law No. 23/VIII/2013 of 31 December 2012. The 6%  rate for tourism enterprises was applied 
according to Law No. 53/VI/2005 of 3 January 2005, and is still in effect for contracts concluded before the end of 2012. The special VAT regime for certain goods and services was introduced through the State Budget Law for 2008 (Law No. 20/VII/2007 of 28 December 2007). For butane gas, 15.5% VAT is only added to 16.65% of 
the price-regulated basic tariff for the product.  
27 The exemptions are specified in Articles 9 to 14 of the VAT Law and in an annex to 
Law No. 21/IV/2003 of 14 July 2003. Requests for VAT exemptions are lodged through the electronic platform described in section 3.2.4.  
28 However, if VAT is not levied on their sales, or the simplified rate is applied, these operators may not 
claim tax credit for VAT paid on their inputs. Those not subject to VAT may switch to the simplified or ordinary VAT regime at any time, but are oblige d to stay with the chosen regime for minimum five years. Clients of 
taxpayers in the simplified VAT regime may not claim the 5% input VAT on their side. Taxpayers eligible for the simplified regime may switch back and forth between the ordinary and simplified regi me without time limits.  
29 The STC is levied in accordance with Law. No. 22/IV/2003 of 14 July 2003, as amended by Laws 
Nos. 37/VI/2003 of 31 December 2003, 48/VI/2004 of 26 Ju ly 2004, and 10/VIII/2011 of 30 December 2011. 
30 The higher rates of STC were adjusted through Law No. 10/VIII/2011 of 30 December 2011. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 37 - 
 
  to an Ecological Tax ( Taxa Ecológica ).31 The tax is weight-based, and ranges from 
CVEsc 2 to 200 per kg on the weight of the product, inclusive of packaging (Table A3.3). The tax was extended to cigarettes, petroleum products, batteries, electronic goods, and tyres in 2012.
32 
The tax is collected by the local tax authority when a local product enters the market and on 
imports by the customs authority at the time of importation. Exempt from the tax are materials 
used in the packaging of medicines and basic foodstuffs, goods sold to the State administration, and imported packaging materials for goods to be exported or re-exported. However, exported 
goods as such are not exempted from the Ecological Tax. 
3.37.  Revenue from the Ecological Tax is earmarked; 75% may be allocated to specific projects 
aimed at reducing waste, the promotion of eco- efficient consumer goods, and improved waste 
management. The remainder is used to fund educational programmes for the population in the 
environmental area (15%), and to maintain an Environmental Fund (10%). The General 
Directorate of Environment is responsible for the ad ministration and supervision of funded projects 
and programmes. The disbursement of the tax receipts has apparently been the cause of some 
friction between local and central government authorities.
33  
3.38.  The State Budget law for 2013 introduced a Tourist Tax, in effect since 1 May 2013. The tax 
is applied to all overnight guests irrespective of their nationality at hotels or other lodging units in 
Cabo Verde. The tax amounts to CVEsc 220 per guest (16 years or older) per night for a maximum 
of ten consecutive nights. The tax is collected by the tourism establishment and remitted to the authorities once a month. The proceeds are channelled into a Tourism Development Fund. 
3.39.  Certain financial transactions, such as operations of credit, interest, financial services 
commissions, bonds and payment orders, and other transactions involving the registration or 
issuance of legal documents are subject to stamp duty.
34 Stamp duties do not affect licences, 
permits and other documentation related to import or export operations, but apply to corporate 
operations such as enterprise establishment, acquisition and sale of property, capital increases, 
equity transfers, commercial contracts, etc.  
3.40.  Customs duties and indirect taxes are an important source of government revenue in 
Cabo Verde. VAT represents nearly 40% of the revenue of all taxes collected (Table 3.5). 
The estimated value of exemptions from internal taxes is presented in Table 3.4. 
Table 3.5 Tax revenue, 2012-14 
(CVEsc million) 
 2012 2013 2014 
Total indirect taxes: 13,110 15,124 16,854 
- VAT 10,402 11,500 12,893 
- Special Consumption Tax 1,498 1,866 1,872 
- Ecological Tax 543 602 592 
- Stamp Duty 667 706 695 
- Tourist Tax - 450 802 
                                               
31 The tax was originally applied from 1995, abolished with effect from 1 January 2004 (with the 
introduction of VAT in Cabo Verde), but reintroduced later the same year (Law No. 46/VI/2004 of 12 July 2004. The law was amended in 2010 (Law No. 76/VII/2010) an d in 2012 (Law No. 17/VIII/2012, revoking the 
2010 Law).  
32 Law No. 17/VIII/2012 of 23 August 2012. The law includ es a table setting out the rates for all goods 
subject to the tax (Articles 3 and 7). The 2004 law determined the tax at a specific rate per unit of packaging for imported beer and soft drinks, or 10% ad valorem for empty packaging materials (imported or domestically 
produced). In 2010, the amended law extended the scope of the Ecological Tax to all non-biodegradable packaging, whether empty or carry ing imported or local goods.  
33 ASemana , "ANMCV threatens garbage collection strike if  government continues to retain ecological 
tax funds", 1 September 2014. Viewed at: http://www.asemana.publ.cv/spip.php?article102626&ak=1  
Decree-Law No. 40/2013 of 25 October 2013 regulates the selection of projects financed by the Ecological Tax. 
Municipalities have been expecting revenue to be allocated directly to them. However, the 2012 law stipulates that disbursements can only be made to projects presented by a municipali ty or by a municipal association or 
enterprise.  
34 Stamp duties are currently regulated by Law No . 33/VII/2008 of 8 December 2008. The law replaced 
an earlier law dating back to 1954.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 38 - 
 
   2012 2013 2014 
Other taxes: 
- Income tax 8,626 8,497 9,572 
  - Individual income tax 5,010 4,920 5,616 
  - Corporate income tax 3,617 3,578 3,956 
- Tax on International Transactions  5,778  5,816  6,129  
Source: State Budget Report, 2014 (pp. 88-89). 
3.2.7  Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing 
3.41.  In 2003, Cabo Verde introduced non-automatic licensing on all imports and exports.35 
As this move was criticized in the WTO accession working party, and after further reflection, the 2003 Decree-Law was replaced by Decree-Law No. 68/2005 of 31 October 2005.
36 The new 
legislation distinguished between goods subjecte d to sanitary or phytosanitary requirements, 
security controls or mandatory restrictions required by law, and other imports. In response to further questions and comments from WTO Members, Cabo Verde provided action plans to develop 
the 2005 Decree-Law further to meet fully the requirements of the WTO Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures.
37 This work was to be completed by the end of 2008.  
3.42.  Cabo Verde submitted a notification to the WTO Committee on Import Licensing in 2009, 
outlining the import regime established further to the Decree-Law No. 68/2005.38 A non-automatic 
licensing regime is applied to goods subject to sanitary or phytosanitary controls, security 
measures (e.g. handguns and explosives), or ot her mandatory restrictions required by Law. 
In addition to the non-automatic licence, a certificate of compliance may be required from the 
sanitary/phytosanitary authorities, or other comp etent authorities depending on the nature of the 
goods. Non-automatic licences are to be issued within 21 days from the date the customs declaration is presented to the competent authorities.
39 A non-automatic licence is issued for each 
transaction, and is normally valid for the period requested by the importer.40 Import licences for 
arms and other security products are valid for 90 days and may exceptionally be extended for another 60 days. A screening process of the importers is also in place.  
3.43.  An automatic licensing regime is applied to all other imports, except those totally exempt 
from licensing. The automatic licence becomes ef fective as goods are declared to customs, and 
does not require the completion of any form or the provision of any specific information. Since licences are issued automatically as goods are cleared through customs, the licences carry 
no term of validity. Goods totally exempt from licensing include goods "without commercial value" 
or "without expenditure of currency"; goods in transit, temporarily imported, re-imported or 
re-exported; goods subject to special customs regimes such as franc stores, franc deposits, special 
customs storage or bonded warehouses; manufactured products for use in international trade fairs 
and exhibitions, etc.; goods for the supply or exclusive use of air and maritime navigation 
companies; and goods that have been appreh ended, abandoned, found or salvaged from 
shipwrecks, and subsequently sold at auction.  
3.44.  The ECOWAS Treaty calls for relaxation and gradual removal of quantitative restrictions in 
intra-community trade (Article 41). However, havi ng informed the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS 
and the other ECOWAS member States, any EC OWAS member may impose restrictions or 
prohibitions based on (i) the application of security laws and regulations; (ii) the control of arms, 
ammunition, and other war equipment and military items; (iii) the protection of human, animal or plant health and life, or the protection of public  morality; (iv) the transfer of gold, silver, and 
precious and semi-precious stones; (v) the protection of national artistic and cultural property; 
(vi) the control of narcotics, hazardous and toxic wastes, nuclear or radioactive materials; and (vii) products and materials used in the developm ent or exploitation of nuclear energy. On this 
                                               
35 Decree-Law No. 51/2003 of 24 November 2003. 
36 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30 (paragraphs 113 and 114), 6 December 2007. 
37 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/21, 12 June 2005; and WT/ACC/CPV/21/Rev.1, 25 June 2007. 
38 WTO document G/LIC/N/3/CPV/1, 30 October 2009. 
39 The 21-day deadline may be suspended in "unusual and exceptional" circumstances, for example in 
the case of imports of military arms. 
40 The legislation does not establish any specific period of validity. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 39 - 
 
  basis, Cabo Verde has defined a list of products subject to "international trade restrictions", 
enumerated in Table 3.6. 
Table 3.6 Products subject to international trade restrictions 
HS Number Description Justification 
2401; 2402; 2403 Tobacco Contract between the Government and 
the Caboverdean Tobacco Company 
2844.10; 2844.20; 
2844.30; 2844.40 and 
1844.50 Radioactive products International conventions on non-
proliferation of nuclear weapons 
2844.10; 2844.20; 2844.30; 2844.40 and 2844.50 Chemical radioactive elements 
and radioactive isotopes International conventions on non-
proliferation of nuclear weapons 
7102.00 Diamonds In accordance with Article 41.3 of the 
revised ECOWAS Treaty, precious 
metals for monetary purposes may only 
be imported by the central bank (BCV). 
Jewels may only be imported and sold 
by jewellers. Raw precious stones and 
metals may be imported by industries 
in accordance with international 
conventions 7103.00 Precious and semi-precious 
stones 
7106.00 Silver  
7108.00 Gold 
8401.00  Nuclear material International conventions on non-
proliferation of nuclear weapons 
9301; 9302; 9303; 9307 Weapons Restrictions for security reasons under 
ECOWAS Agreement on Non Proliferation 9306.10 Munitions 
9705.00 Collections and specimens for 
zoology, botany, mineralogy, anatomy collections, or collections of a historic, archaeological, palaeontology, ethnographic or numismatic interest Protection of biodiversity and national 
treasures of cultural, artistic, historic, archaeological value 
9706.00 6 Antiquities more than 100 years 
old Protection of national treasures of 
artistic, historic, ar chaeological value 
Source:  WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, Table 6, 6 December 2007. 
3.45.  As for the restriction on importation of tobacco, this is linked to an exclusive right to import 
tobacco held by the Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos SA  The contract between the company 
and the Government of Cabo Verde (the then Ministry of Economic Coordination) was originally concluded in May 1997 for a renewable period of 15 years. During the accession negotiations, 
the Government of Cabo Verde announced the intention to replace the exclusive right with 
non-automatic licensing upon expiry of  the agreement at the end of 2012. The Sociedade 
Caboverdiana de Tabacos  was privatized in 2007. However, as the Government of Cabo Verde has 
found itself unable to follow through on certain commitments made to the new owners, notably in 
the area of market regulation and the protection of  public health, it has been deemed necessary to 
maintain the exclusivity arrangement for another eight years, i.e. until 2020.
41 The Sociedade 
Caboverdiana de Tabacos SA  undertakes importation and wholesale marketing of one brand of 
cigarettes, and produces and markets three other brands, one of which is under licence. Tobacco 
cultivation is negligible in Cabo Verde, and the domestic production is not for industrial purposes.  
3.2.8  Customs valuation 
3.46.  While Cabo Verde was negotiating its accession  to the WTO, the Brussels Definition of Value 
served as the basis for the calculation of customs duties and other customs charges in accordance with Decree No. 45.790 of 3 July 1960. Cabo Verde so ught, and was granted, a transitional period 
to implement progressively the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Ar ticle VII of the GATT 
1994 (Customs Valuation Agreement), including its Annex I (Interpretative Notes) and Decisions 3.1 and 4.1, paragraph 2 of the Committee on Customs Valuation regarding the 
                                               
41 WTO document G/STR/N/13/CPV, 17 January 2014.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 40 - 
 
  treatment of interest charges and the valuation of carrier media bearing software for data 
processing equipment. Full implementation  of the Agreement would commence from 
1 January 2011.42  
3.47.  In December 2010, Cabo Verde informed the WTO that it was facing certain difficulties in 
implementing the Agreement. In pa rticular, the shifting of the burden of proof from the declarant 
to Customs in valuation disputes was seen as increasing the risk of under-invoicing which, in turn, could affect the collection of customs revenue negatively. New tools such as a customs valuation 
database and an automated risk analysis and mana gement system would be required to reduce as 
much as possible the time needed to control g oods submitted for customs clearance. Further work 
should also be undertaken to familiarize users with the new Customs Code (adopted in 2010) and to draft supplementary legal instruments. Cabo Verde therefore requested that it be granted 
a temporary waiver to implement the Customs Valuation Agreement by 1 January 2012, 
and presented a revised action plan to implement it.
43 WTO Members granted the waiver in 
May 2011, on the condition that Cabo Verde should report to the Committee on Customs Valuation 
on progress in fulfilling the action plan and on the status of implementation of the Agreement by 
30 September 2011. In a status report dated 14 October 201144, the authorities of Cabo Verde 
noted that training courses were being organized for customs agents and official customs 
dispatchers, and customs technicians were being trained in risk assessment techniques, 
post-declaration and post-clearance verification. A series of company audits had been launched. 
Customs information systems were being upgraded with the phasing-in of the ASYCUDA Selectivity Module for the performance of risk assessment,  and the ASYCUDA++ was being configured to 
provide a reference database for the values of identical or similar goods. Cabo Verde confirmed 
that the Customs Valuation Agreement would be effectively implemented as of 1 January 2012.  
3.48.  Section IV (Articles 255-286) of the 2010 Customs Code establishes the basic provisions 
governing customs valuation, including the valuation of exports. Article 260 stipulates the 
transaction value as the principal method of customs valuation, and the hierarchy of alternative valuation methods (including deductive and computed value) is laid down in Articles 267 to 284. 
According to the customs authorities, the al ternative valuation methods are applied quite 
frequently due to chronic under-valuations and missing or inadequate documentation of the actual transaction value.  
3.49.  Should the final determination of a customs value be pending, the importer may provide 
a guarantee for the payment of customs duties and other applicable taxes and charges to secure 
the early release of the goods in question (Article 637). The right to receive a written explanation of how the customs value was determined is prov ided through Article 311, and appeals of customs 
value decisions are governed by Title VII "Customs Technical Litigation" (Articles 614 to 641). 
A Customs Technical Council has been established to deal with "technical" disagreements regarding the determination of customs classification, origin and value of goods. The deliberations 
of the Council are published in circulars issued by the General Customs Directorate. The Council 
issued ten formal determinations in 2014. Deci sions of the Customs Technical Council may be 
appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice.  
3.50.  The interpretative notes to the Customs Valu ation Agreement are, in principle, incorporated 
in Cabo Verde's legislation by virtue of Article 259 of the Customs Code. According to the customs 
authorities, the incorporation is further confirmed in Article 38 of the 2014 customs regulations.
45  
3.2.9  Rules of origin 
3.51.  Section III of the 2010 Customs Code estab lishes the basic principles for non-preferential 
rules of origin. Goods may either be wholly obtained or produced in a single country (Article 248) or (where production involves more than one country) be deemed to originate in the country 
                                               
42 An action plan for the implementation of the Agreement covering the period 2008-2010 is reproduced 
in Table 9 of WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, 6 December 2007. 
43 The revised plan is reproduced in the draft decision of the General Council, circulated in 
WTO documents G/C/W/646, 14 March 2011 and G/C/W/646/Rev.1, 4 April 2011.  
44 WTO document G/VAL/65, 24 October 2011. 
45 Decree-Law No. 23/2014 of 2 April 2014. The regulation has been published in the Official Bulletin, 
but the Secretariat has not been able to trace it. The Ca bo Verde authorities have informed the Secretariat that 
the customs regulation is being translated into English and will be notified to the WTO.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 41 - 
 
  where they underwent the last "substantial econ omically justified transf ormation" (Article 249). 
The rules are to be used for the determination of  MFN treatment under Articles I, II, III, XI and 
XIII of the GATT 1994; for the possible applicatio n of anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard 
measures; or for the provisions of origin under Article IX of the GATT 1994, and the treatment of 
quantitative restrictions or discriminatory quotas.  
3.52.  As for preferential rules of origin, these are contained in agreements concluded between 
Cabo Verde and certain countries or groups of countries (Article 253). For products originating in 
ECOWAS countries, the provisions of Protocol A/P1/03 are applied46, and ECOWAS origin may thus 
be conferred to wholly obtained agricultural and livestock products, fishery products, mining 
products, and artisanal handicrafts.47 Industrial goods may be granted ECOWAS origin provided at 
least one of three criteria are met, i.e. either that (i) a minimum 60% of the raw materials used 
originate within the ECOWAS region ("wholly obtained"); (ii) the finished product requires the 
exclusive use of materials classified under tariff headings different from that of the finished product (includes a list of exceptions); or (iii) th e regional (ECOWAS) value added represents at 
least 30% of the ex-factory price of the finished good. ECOWAS origin may not be conferred to 
goods manufactured in free zones or under special regimes implying full or partial exemption of customs duties on inputs.
48  
3.2.10  Anti-dumping, countervailin g duty, and safeguard regimes 
3.53.  Cabo Verde notified the WTO in 2010 that it had not established any authority competent to 
initiate and conduct anti-dumping investigations. Thus, no actions had been initiated, and Cabo Verde did not expect to resort to anti-dumping measures in the foreseeable future.
49 
In the event that a competent authority and related domestic procedures for the initiation and 
conduct of anti-dumping investigations are established, the Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices would be informed without delay.  
3.54.  Section X of the Customs Code, Articles 336 to 345, establishes the basic provisions for the 
application of anti-dumping and "compensatory" (countervailing) duties. No further implementing legislation has been developed. It has been envisaged that the Government would establish 
a special committee for the determination of the duties to be applied.  
3.55.  The "Trade Liberalization Law" (Decree-Law No. 3/99 of 1 February 1999) included 
a general safeguard provision (Article 3) referring to serious damage, or the threat of such damage, to the national economy or to public health. On this basis, Cabo Verde restricted imports 
of poultry (from all countries) until 2004, when the measure was terminated.  
3.56.  Article 49 of the (revised) ECOWAS Treaty allows the member States to apply 
"the necessary safeguard measures" in case of "serious disturbances occurring in the economy". 
The Executive Secretary of ECOWAS must be in formed before measures are taken, and such 
safeguards may not be in force for more than one year.  
3.57.  The introduction of the ECOWAS CET includes provisions for the application of a 
Complementary Protection Tax ( Taxe complémentaire de protection ) on imports from 
non-ECOWAS sources in response to market distur bance. The measure may be triggered either by 
an increase in import volume of 25% (or more), or a price decline of 20% (or more), compared with the preceding three-year average. The supplementary tax can only be applied as a temporary 
measure, (i) for a maximum of two years in case of a surge in imported quantities, or (ii) for no 
more than one year in response to price declines. It appears that Cabo Verde's ability to use this 
                                               
46 The Protocol was adopted at a Conference of EC OWAS Heads of State and Government in Dakar in 
2003 and ratified by Cabo Verde through Law-Decree No. 3/2010 of 1 February 2010.  
47 Certificates of origin are not required for agricult ural and livestock products and handmade articles to 
circulate freely within ECOWAS , but shipments must be accompanied by sanitary and phytosanitary certificates 
according to Laws Nos. 29/VII/2013 and 30/VII/2013. 
48 The rules were relaxed in 2009 to allow free circulation of goods produced under special regimes 
provided the normal import duties on inputs were pa id. However, the ECOWAS Commission has not yet issued 
the necessary implementing regulation fo r this amendment to be effective.  
49 WTO document G/ADP/N/193/CPV, 25 June 2010. Accord ing to Cabo Verde, the notification is valid 
until further notice.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 42 - 
 
  measure would be limited, as the sum of the CET and the Complementary Protection Tax may not 
exceed the WTO bound rate for any product.50  
3.3  Measures Directly Affecting Exports 3.3.1  Export procedures and requirements 
3.58.  Decree-Law No. 68/2005 of 31 October 2005 constitutes the legal basis for the regulation 
of exports. Prior to exportation, prospective exporters need to register with the Conservatory of Commercial Registry and hold a valid traders' ID card. Non-preferential certificates of origin are 
issued by the General Directorate of Trade (at th e Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Business 
Development) and signed by Customs at the point of exit. Cabo Verde Customs processed 
385 Form-A certificates during 2014.  
3.59.  The 2010 Customs Code includes special provisions with respect to "suspensive and 
economic" regimes for inward processing, temp orary importation, outward processing, and 
temporary exportation. The use of such procedures requires prior authorization of the customs authorities (Article 381) and the posting of a guar antee (Article 384). Transit and transhipment is 
regulated according to Chapter IX of the Customs Code.  
3.60.  Cabo Verde's system for drawback of cust oms duties is laid down in Article 436 of the 
Customs Code. Import duty may be repaid for goods subsequently exported in unaltered state or 
processed into "compensating products" that are exported or placed in a free zone.
51 
Drawback may be claimed within one year of importation of the goods in question. The period may be extended by 90 days (twice) upon decision by the Director-General of Customs.  
3.3.2  Export taxes, fees and charges for services rendered 
3.61.  Cabo Verde does not levy export taxes on any product. Internal taxes, including VAT, 
are not applied to goods destined for exportation. The statistical tax for customs clearance of goods through ASYCUDA ++ is the same for exports as for imports, i.e. CVEsc 5,000 
per declaration. Exporters are subject to port ch arges as are all other users of these services.  
3.3.3  Export restrictions 3.62.  Export operations in general became exempt from licensing under the terms of Article 9 
of Law No. 92/IV/93 of 15 December 1993. However, Cabo Verde prohibits exports of endangered 
flora and fauna covered by the International Convention on Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (Washington Convention) according to Article 45 of the Customs Code. The Convention was approved through Decree No. 1/2005 of 21 March 2 005. Protected plants and animals are listed in 
Regulatory Decree No. 7/2002 of 30 December 2002.  Most of these species can be found in 
preserved areas in Cabo Verde, i.e. national  and natural parks created through Decree-Law 
No. 3/2003 of 24 February 2003.  
3.63.  In July 2013, restrictions were introduced on the exportation of wire made of copper, 
aluminium and other metals used in the provision of electricity and telecommunications services.
52 
The measure was put in place to combat theft from infrastructure installations. Henceforth, 
any operator wishing to export such goods must apply to the Director-General of Industry and 
Trade, and provide evidence that the export ed merchandise has been legally obtained, 
e.g. by presenting import documents for these same goods.53 The measure also covers exports of 
gold and other precious metals. None of these metals are mined in Cabo Verde. 
                                               
50 Roquefeuil (2014). 
51 According to Article 441 of the Customs Code, up to 15% of the (previous year's) production of 
"compensating products" may be released  for free circulation into the domest ic market without the provision of 
a customs declaration. However, such goods are subjec t to customs duties and other possible trade policy 
measures as required by law.  
52 Joint Order No. 18/2013 of 4 July 2013 from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy and the 
Ministry of Finance and Planning.  
53 The authorization to engage in fo reign trade (TCE) and a certificate of  origin must also be presented 
to customs prior to customs clearance for exports.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 43 - 
 
  3.3.4  Export subsidies, finance, and guarantees 
3.64.  Exporters obtain financing through normal commercial channels. Cabo Verde did not provide 
agricultural export subsidies prior to accession to  the WTO. In a notification submitted in 2009, 
Cabo Verde also confirmed that no agricultur al export subsidies had been provided in 2008.54 
The authorities confirm that the situation has not changed since then.  
3.3.5  Export promotion and marketing assistance 3.65.  Cabo Verde does not have any public agency or authority set up specifically to assist 
exporters in promoting or selling their products abroad.  
3.4  Measures Affecting Production And Trade 3.4.1  Subsidies 3.66.  In the course of the negotiations to a ccede to the WTO, Members raised questions with 
regard to fiscal and customs incentives provided by Cabo Verde under various legislation. 
Cabo Verde agreed to ensure that programmes ad ministered pursuant to its Foreign Investment 
Law, the Law on "Free" or "Franc" Enterprises, the Industrial Statute, the Tourism Utility Law, and 
Law No. 99/IV/93 of 31 December 1993 would be in  full conformity with the WTO Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures from 1 January 2010. Any subsidy prohibited under Article 3 of the Agreement, but granted to firm s or individuals prior to accession, would be 
withdrawn at the expiry of the original term of  the benefit or at the latest by 1 January 2015. 
Cabo Verde would provide a subsidy notification to  the WTO in accordance with Article 25 of the 
Agreement upon accession, and subsequent notifications containing information confirming the progressive elimination of any prohibited subsidies. No notifications have been received to date.  
3.67.  Fiscal incentives provided to investors are currently enumerated in the Code of Fiscal 
Benefits, which entered into force on 1 January 2013.
55 The incentives generally take the form of 
reductions in corporate income tax, and exemptions from (i) wealth tax, (ii) stamp duties, and (iii) 
customs duties (as noted in section 3.2.4). Projects implemented in accordance with the 2012 
Investment Law may generally claim a 30% reduction in their corporate income tax56 for eligible 
investments, rising to 50% for investments in tourism projects, air and sea transportation, 
renewable energy, and information technology. Investment projects that are defined as 
contributing to the "internationalization" of Cabo Verde businesses are subject to a special and more generous regime (Articles 17 and 18) involving reductions in corporate income tax of up to 50%, exemption of personal income tax for qualifie d expatriate employees, as well as exemptions 
from stamp duty, VAT, customs duties, nota rial charges and fees, and the wealth tax.
57  
3.68.  An enterprise licensed to operate in an International Business Centre is subject to corporate 
income tax at reduced rates, and may also be ex empt from customs duties on certain imported 
materials.58  
3.69.  The Investment Law (Article 5.2) and the Code of Fiscal Benefits (Article 16) also refer 
to investment projects that may merit "special tr eatment" and be granted "exceptional" incentives 
by the Council of Ministers. These are projects in line with Cabo Verde's national economic 
development programme involving an invest ment of minimum CVEsc 10 million and the 
establishment of minimum 100 new jobs within three years.59 The level and nature of the possible 
                                               
54 WTO document G/AG/N/CPV/1, 17 July 2009 
55 Law No. 26/VIII/2013 of 21 January 2013. Tax benefits granted or recognized before the entry into 
force of this law are maintained in accordance with the terms under whic h they were granted (Article 58).  
56 The top rate of corporate income tax is 25%.  
57 Decree-Law No. 2/2011 of 21 February 2011.  
58 The lower corporate income tax rates only affect  income derived from transactions with entities 
located outside Cabo Verde, or ot her entities in Cabo Verde's Inte rnational Business Centres. The tax 
reductions are linked to job creation. If an investment  project leads to the establishment of two new jobs at 
the International Service Centre the ta x rate is 2.5%, whereas a minimum of five new jobs at the International 
Industry Centre or the Inte rnational Trade Centre will result in a corp orate tax rate of 5% for entities with 
five dependent workers, 3.5% for 20 employees, and 2.5% for entities with 50 employees or more.  
59 The minimum investment is CVEsc 5 million and 50 new jobs for investments outside of the capital 
Praia and urban municipa lities on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 44 - 
 
  benefits are not specified in existing legislation, but are to be negotiated and detailed in a formal 
contract (Establishment Agreement) between the Government and the investor(s).60 Nevertheless, 
the Code of Fiscal Benefits states that such benefits may not be extended beyond ten years, and may not result in an effective tax rate that is less than 20% of the rate in force. 
The beneficiaries are to be inspected annually by the tax authorities (see also Box 4.1).  
3.70.  The Code of Fiscal Benefits also stipulates numerous tax incentives available to financial 
services providers notably (i) a 75% reduction in corporate income tax for yields on long-term 
bank deposits and certificates of deposits; (ii) 5% corporate income tax on yields from bonds and 
similar instruments (except listed debt securities), applicable until the end of 2017; (iii) no corporate income tax on dividends paid by listed companies (until the end of 2017); and (iv) tax credits and tax exemptions on the incomes of savings and investment funds and 
payments made by these funds to their clients. Stamp duty is not levied on instruments that 
secure the financing of investments. Holding companies are not liable to taxation of capital gains from the sale of shares in unaffiliated enterprises,  provided the shares have been held for at least 
12 months.  
3.71.  The Code of Fiscal Benefits (Article 4) requ ires the tax authorities to draw up an annual list 
of legal persons to whom tax benefits are gran ted. The list should be accessible through the 
electronic portal of the tax authorities.  
3.4.2  Standards, technical requir ements, and conformity assessment 
3.72.  During the accession negotiations, Cabo Verde informed Members that its TBT-related 
legislation was old, fragmentary and incomplete. Absent a legislative and institutional framework, 
Cabo Verde was not applying technical regulations or standards on imported or locally-produced 
goods. Cabo Verde nominated the General Directorat e of Industry and Energy to serve as its TBT 
enquiry point to comply with the transparency obligations of the WTO Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade, and made a commitment that technical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures would not be adopted or implemented un til notified to the WTO in compliance with the 
TBT Agreement. No notifications have been received to-date.  
3.73.  In 2010, the Government decided to establish a National Quality Council ( Conselho Nacional 
da Qualidade – CNQ) to oversee all work related to standardization, metrology, and conformity 
assessment.
61 The CNQ, which is composed of 19 members, brings together government agencies 
with competence in these areas, the municipalities' association, the Chambers of Commerce, 
other professional associations, consumers, and academia. The CNQ would normally meet twice a 
year. It has the authority to establish permanent technical commissions or working groups.  
3.74.  Simultaneously with the creation of the CNQ, it was decided to establish an Institute 
(Instituto de Gestão de Qualidade – IGQ) to perform secretariat functions for the national council 
a s  w e l l  a s  t o  e n g a g e  i n  t h e  d a y - t o - d a y  c o o r d i n a t i o n  o f  w o r k  i n  t h e  a r e a s  o f  s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n ,  metrology, and conformity assessment.
62 However, the functions of the IGQ do not overlap with 
those of ARFA, which is responsible for standards pertaining to pharmaceuticals and food products, 
and the General Directorate for Marine Resources, which is the competent authority for inspection, monitoring and certification of fish products (s ee section below). The IGQ was merged with the 
intellectual property institute (IPICV) to form IGQPI in August 2014.  
3.75.  IGQPI published the first ten product standards of Cabo Verde in the Official Bulletin of 
9 April 2015. The standards which were prepared by the Technical Commission for the Standardization of Agricultural Products, concern certain fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes, 
potatoes, carrots, onions, bananas and papayas. 
                                               
60 According to CVI, a limited number of Establishment Agreements are currently in effect. These 
agreements were prepared prior to the promulgation of the Code of Fiscal Benefits. No agreements have been 
concluded since then, although CVI has some 20 applications pending in its electronic platform. While the level and nature of benefits in an Establishment Agreement may be the subject of some negotiation, the tax flexibilities included in it may not go beyond the scope of exemptions foreseen in the basic tax legislation on 
customs duties, value added tax, special consumption tax, etc. 
61 Decree-Law No. 8/2010 of 22 March 2010.  
62 The IGQ was established by Resolution No. 41/2010 of 2 August 2010, and its statutes were approved 
through Regulatory Decree No. 6/2010 of 23 August 2010.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 45 - 
 
  3.76.  Cabo Verde is not a full member, nor a correspondent or subscribing member, of the 
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), nor a full or associate member of the International Technical Commission (IEC), or any other body governing work in the area of standardization and product safety at the global level. At the regional level, Cabo Verde is 
currently participating in the West Africa Quality Programme, an EU-funded project to strengthen 
and harmonize TBT and SPS measures applied by the ECOWAS member States.
63  
3.4.3  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
3.77.  Cabo Verde is largely dependent on imports to cover its food needs (section 4.1). 
The country has nine points of entry where phytosanitary and veterinary inspections are carried out.
64 However, capabilities for disease diagnosis and control are limited. InLab, a private 
laboratory with ISO 17025 certification, performs analysis of water, food, and pharmaceuticals. 
The Official Laboratory for Fisheries Products (LOPP) carries out control and certification of fish and 
fish products. Cabo Verde has inter-agency agreemen ts with the food safety authorities of Portugal 
and Senegal regarding veterinary tests. Cabo Verde is a member of the Codex Alimentarius, 
the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC ), and the World Organisation for Animal Health 
(OIE). 
3.78.  Cabo Verde established an Action Plan fo r the implementation of the SPS Agreement within 
the framework of its WTO accession.65 Although there have been some delays, Cabo Verde has 
made progress since accession in modernizing its SPS regime. A number of SPS framework laws have been adopted, but up-to-date implementing regulations are generally missing. Responsibility for SPS measures is shared between the Ministry of Rural Development, and ARFA. 
3.79.  The Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development ( Direcção Geral da 
Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural ) of the Ministry of Rural Development ( Ministério do 
Desenvolvimento Rural ) is responsible for developing and implementing phytosanitary and 
veterinary measures. The Directorate also functions as the WTO SPS enquiry point and notification 
authority, as well as National Plant Protection Organization ( Organização Nacional de Protecção 
dos Vegetais ) under the IPPC.  
3.80.  Cabo Verde adopted two new SPS framework laws in 2013 to reform the legal framework 
for phytosanitary and veterinary measures (Table 3.7).
66 However, the outdated phytosanitary 
regulations (largely from 1997) remain in force, while ten revised phytosanitary regulations are pending. In accordance with Article 13 of Law 29 /VIII/2013, the Directorate General of Agriculture 
and Rural Development is required to publish an ordinance (" portaria ") listing plants and related 
products that are subject to import prohibitio n or require an import permit/authorization. 
The ordinance is in preparation, according to the authorities. In 2013, Cabo Verde notified the SPS 
Committee about the revision of phytosanitary and veterinary inspection fees on imports 
(and exports) of live animals, meat and meat pr oducts, dairy products, eggs, honey, fish and fish 
products, and certain plants and seeds.
67 For importation, the listed products must be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate issued by the exporting country's NPPO or 
veterinary service. 
3.81.  ARFA is Cabo Verde's independent food safety agency.68 ARFA is also responsible for certain 
food security measures (section 4.1.2), and the regulation of pharmaceuticals (section 3.4.9). 
Regulated products include food for human consum ption, functional and novel foods, supplements 
and additives; pharmaceuticals for human use, cosmetics, and biocides. Food processors are regulated and subject to sanitary licensing by ARFA.
69 Furthermore, ARFA coordinates the food 
safety activities of the SNCA ( Sistema Nacional de Controlo de Alimentos ), a public-private sector 
                                               
63 Mauritania is also taking part in this project.  
64 São Vicente (Porto Grande and Cesária Évora Airp ort); Sal (Porto de Palm eira and Amílcar Cabral 
Airport); Santo Antão (Porto Novo); Bo a Vista (Porto de Sal-Re i and Aristides Pereira Airport); Santiago (Porto 
da Praia and Nelson  Mandela Airport). 
65 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, paragraph 176, 6 December 2007. 
66 Ministry of Rural Development (2013). 
67 Decree-Law No. 42/2013. 
68 ARFA was established in October 2004 (Decree-Law No. 42/2004) within the framework of the 
general regime governing the establishment of inde pendent regulatory agencies (Law No. 20/VI/2003, 
replaced by Law No. 14/VIII/2012).  
69 Decree-Law No. 22/2013 of 31 May 2013.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 46 - 
 
  food safety network, which meets about five times a year, and functions as contact point of the 
National Codex Alimentarius Commission ( Comissão Nacional do Codex Alimentarius ). 
3.82.  ARFA's budget (CVEsc 108.3 million in 2014) is financed mainly through contributions from 
the regulated entities based on sales of pharmace utical products for human use; c.i.f. value of 
imports of pharmaceutical products; and c.i.f. value of imports of food products and feed.70 
For 2015, the fees were fixed at 0.3% of the va lue of food products and 0.4% of the value 
of pharmaceutical products.71 Importers and manufacturers of drugs for human use are required to 
transfer a quarter of the annual contribution to AR FA at the beginning of each trimester. Importers 
and producers of other pharmaceutical products, and importers of raw materials or food destined for human consumption have to pay the contribution when cleared through customs.
72  
3.83.  In 2009, Cabo Verde promulgated legislation concerning its intent and general principles to 
bring its food safety legislation into conformity with the SPS Agreement 
(Legislative Decree No. 3/2009), which was follow ed by the adoption of basic food hygiene 
standards (Table 3.7). A new food safety law conc erning meat, milk and eggs is in preparation, 
according to the authorities. There are no sanitary controls for processed products of vegetable 
origin. Genetically modified organisms are not regulated as such. Risk analysis is performed by ARFA on request by the Directorate Genera l of Agriculture and Rural Development.  
Table 3.7 Reform of SPS legislation 
Legislation  Content 
Legislative Decree No. 2/2009 of 15 June 2009 Establishes general principles in terms of offences 
against public health, such as  slaughtering of prohibited 
animals or not normally us ed for human consumption. 
Establishes responsibilities of operators, procedures in case of non-compliance, and penalties. 
Legislative Decree No. 3/2009 of 15 June 2009; 
Regulatory Decree No. 7/2010 Statement of food safety po licy objectives and general 
principles, including risk analysis, harmonization with 
Codex Alimentarius standard s. Establishes Rapid Alert 
System ( Sistema Integrado de Alerta Rápido- SIARA) 
for notification of risks to human health from food and 
animal feed. 
Decree-Law No. 24/2009 of 20 July 2009 Establishes a labelling regime for foodstuffs. 
Decree-Law No. 25/2009 of 20 July 2009 Adoption of basic food hygiene standards ("food sector 
framework law") 
Decree-Law No. 32/2010 of 6 September 2010 Establishes the SNCA. 
Decree-Law No. 19/2012 of 19 July 2012 Establishes the National Codex Alimentarius 
Commission. 
Law No. 29/VIII/2013 of 13 May 2013 (as 
notified in G/SPS/N/CPV/3 of 26 May 2015)  New phytosanitary law: provides, inter alia , for the 
establishment of a national register of regulated plants and operators (Article 16); phytosanitary import and 
export permits for regula ted plants (Article 18); 
24-hour prior notice for im ports of regulated plants 
(Article 27). 
Law No. 30/VIII/2013 of 13 May 2013 (as 
notified in G/SPS/N/CPV/2 of 26 May 2015) New veterinary law: provides, inter alia , for veterinary 
controls of all imports of an imals and products of animal 
origin (Article 16). 
Decree-Law No. 42/2013 of 31 October 2013 (as 
notified in G/SPS/N/CPV/1 of 19 December 2013) Revision of inspection fees  for animals and plants, and 
fish products. 
Law No. 11/2015 of 12 February 2015 (as 
notified in G/SPS/N/CPV/4 of 8 June 2015 Regime for the production of sugar cane spirits (grog). 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
                                               
70 Article 10 of Decree-Law No. 47/2013 of 27 November 2013. 
71 Deliberation No. 11/2014 of 24 December 2014 (from ARFA) and Decree-Law No. 47/2013 of 
27 November 2013. 
72 Articles 11 and 14 of Decree-Law No. 47/2013 of 27 November 2013. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 47 - 
 
  3.4.4  Trade-related investment measures 
3.84.  During the negotiations to accede to the WTO, Cabo Verde maintained that it did not 
maintain any measure inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), and that it would apply th e TRIMs Agreement from the date of accession 
without recourse to a transition period.  
3.85.  Examining the foreign trade regime of Cabo Verde, the Secretariat has noted that a 
fish-processing company appears to be benefitting from tax and customs incentives contingent on 
the use of locally-produced salt (section 4.2.1).  
3.4.5  Free zones and special economic areas 3.86.  The Customs Code (Article 376) and in particular its Chapter V (Articles 453-480) lays down 
basic provisions on the establishment of free zones. Designations of free zones or free warehouses 
are approved by the Government upon pr oposals by the customs authorities.  
3.87.  Cabo Verde's legislation authorizes ente rprises to be designated "free" or "franc" 
enterprises, and thereby benefit from special fiscal and customs incentives.
73 The facility is open to 
any enterprise producing or trading goods (or services) solely for export or for sale to other "free" 
enterprises established in Cabo Verde. Applications are submitted through CVI and approved by the Ministry of Finance and Planning. If accepted, CVI issues a certificate of free enterprise to the 
beneficiary. Five enterprises in the garment an d footwear industry are operating as "free" 
enterprises. However, according to the authorities these enterprises no longer benefit from special 
incentives. 
3.88.  The fiscal incentives include full exemption from taxes on profits and dividends for 
ten years, and subsequently a cap on the tax leve l (maximum 15% of profits). The enterprises are 
also exempt from indirect taxes such as the stamp tax or notary and registration fees, they do not have to declare capital gains, and they are able to  contract foreign workers. In addition, no border 
taxes, import duties or charges are paid on imported materials used for the establishment and 
basic operation of the enterprise (except petrol).  Imported raw materials and intermediate goods 
used in the production of exported goods may be imported under a simplified declaration and 
suspension of the customs regime. 
3.89.  The Ministry of Finance and Planning allows "free" enterprises to sell up to 15% of their 
production (volume of the preceding year) in the local market. However, such sales are subject to 
all applicable duties, taxes, and other charges.  
3.4.6  Government procurement 
3.90.  At present, Law No. 17/VII/2007 of 10 September 2007 and its regulation (Decree-Law 
No. 1/2009 of 5 January 2009) constitute the basic legal framework for government procurement 
of goods and services in Cabo Verde. In addition, Decree-Law No. 54/2010 of 29 November 2010 
covers procurement under public works. Various other pieces of secondary legislation address 
aspects of government procurement such as institutional arrangements and complaints. 
3.91.  Based on the 2007 Law, Decree-Law No. 4/2010 of 8 March 2010 stipulates the creation of 
procurement units ( Unidades de Gestão de Aquisições  – UGA) within the procuring entities. 
These units are responsible for the implemen tation of procurement procedures and the 
organization of all activities leading to acquisitions. In all, ten
74 UGAs have b een set up within, 
for example, the Ministries of Infrastructure, Environment, Health, Education and Sport, and 
Internal Administration (police, etc.). A centra l unit (UGAC), and the UGA established within the 
Directorate General for State Property at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, coordinate and 
supervise the purchases of goods and services performed by the other UGAs and prepare annual 
procurement plans. Furthermore, the Regula tory Authority for Public Procurement ( Autoridade 
                                               
73 The relevant legislation is Law No. 99/IV/93 of 31 December 1993 and Decree-Law No. 36/2003 of 
29 September 2003; Regulatory Decree No. 6/99 of 21 June 1999; Law No. 50/III/89 of 13 July 1989; 
Legislative Decree No. 19/97 of 22 December 1997; Reso lution No. 43/93 of 31 August 1993; and Resolution 
No. 3/2004 of 23 February 2004.  
74 Nine UGAs exist within Ministries; the tenth UGA is located in the Municipal Council of São Domingos.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 48 - 
 
  Reguladora das Aquisições Públicas  – ARAP) was established in 200875 and has been operational 
since September 2009. ARAP prepares and issues standards and guidelines to be followed in procurement, supervises the implementation of contracts, and oversees the entire procurement 
process of the UGAs to ensure that all rules and procedures are being applied correctly.
76  
3.92.  The legislation stipulates competition in th e form of public tender as the preferred method 
of procurement. However, other methods such as  limited tendering among prequalified suppliers, 
solicited offers, and direct purchasing may also be employed.77 Although Article 72 of the Law and 
the procurement regulation establish value thresholds for the use of other methods, the law also 
links alternative methods to the nature or complexity (or lack thereof) of the foreseen contract. Article 25 of the 2007 Law also states that irrespective of the size and value of a procurement, open procurement procedures may be waived for reasons of public interest or national security. 
Directors-General or managers of autonomous agencies may sign contracts up to CVEsc 3 million 
in value. For higher amounts, approval may be granted by Ministers (up to CVEsc 25 million) or by the Prime Minister.
78 All contracts of a value exceeding CVE sc 55 million must be approved by the 
Council of Ministers. In principle, ARAP supervis es all procurement, including contracts approved 
by the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister, or Ministers. According to the authorities, no 
preferences are applied in favour of national suppliers for contracts that are subject to 
international procurement. However, the procurement legislation does not stipulate precisely which 
contracts should be subject to international tender.  
3.93.  Unsuccessful or dissatisfied bidders should a ddress their complaints to the procuring entity's 
UGA in the first instance. If a solution is not found, the matter may be brought before a dispute 
settlement commission (CRC) established within ARAP. The commission is required to reach 
a decision within ten days.79 The CRC handles approximately ten complaints per year, with the 
number rising due to increased knowledge of the system among the participants.80 Disagreements 
regarding public procurement may also be brought before the courts. Moreover, the parties could 
also resort to arbitration procedures further to Regulatory Decree No. 8/2005 of 10 October 2005.  
3.94.  Public procurement notices are published in the local press, on the website of ARAP 
(www.arap.cv ), and on the websites of the procuring entities. According to ARAP, the State Budget 
for 2014 set aside CVEsc 3.77 billion for the procurement of goods and services by entities 
financed from the central budget. The figure does not include expenditures on public works, concessions, or consultancies. In addition, it should be noted that major infrastructure projects 
may be undertaken by multilateral or bilateral donor institutions, and thus be subject to 
their rules.  
3.95.  Cabo Verde's public procurement system is set to undergo further changes in the near 
future. The National Assembly approved a new Public Procurement Law on 27 February 2015. 
The new law will enter into force six months fo llowing publication, i.e. on 15 October 2015, 
and will thereby revoke Law No. 17/VII/2007 and Decree-Law No. 1/2009. The statutes of ARAP 
and the legal provisions addressing the UGAs are also set to be revised. The stated purpose of the 
new legislation is to clarify responsibilities among the regulatory, supervisory and procuring 
entities, ease the administrative burden, and simplify procurement to allow small- and medium-sized enterprises to take part in the procedures. The new law will also extend to 
                                               
75 Decree-Law No. 15/2008 of 8 May 2008. 
76 Financially and administratively autonomous, ARAP  has concluded a cooperation agreement with the 
Directorate General for Property and Pu blic Contracting (DGPCP) at the Minist ry of Finance and Planning for the 
provision of administrative support. In the initial phase, ARAP received funding from the World Bank inter alia  
for the installation of equipment and training of pe rsonnel. ARAP employed 12 staff and had a budget of 
CVEsc 31.3 million in 2012.  
77 Section III (Articles 26-29) of the 2007 Law. Decree-Law No. 1/2009 establishes value and subject 
criteria for the choice of procurement method. 
78 Article 42 of Decree-Law No. 1/2009. 
79 In the meantime, the procurement is suspended and all other bidders are notified that a complaint is 
being examined.  
80 CRC adjudications are publis hed on the ARAP website.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 49 - 
 
  procurement of public enterprises. The new statut es of ARAP also provide Cabo Verde's Court of 
Auditors the possibility of reviewing government procurement decisions.81  
3.96.  Cabo Verde is neither a member nor an observer to the WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement, and the authorities have so far indicated no interest to move in this direction.  
3.4.7  State trading, state-owne d enterprises, and privatization 
3.97.  The role of the State in the economy of Cabo Verde has been reduced substantially since 
the early 1990s. The Constitution was revised in 1993 to redefine the concept of public property 
to provide a legal framework for market liberalization. More than 20 State-owned enterprises 
(SOEs) had been privatized (in part or fully) by 2007, and some SOEs had been liquidated.82 
No sector is reserved for public activity.  
3.98.  According to the African Development Bank, Cabo Verde's 14 public enterprises 
(and 15 para-public enterprises) continue to play an important role in the economy, particularly in 
utilities, energy, telecommunications, and transportation. The financial requirements of the main six State-owned enterprises are a substantial burd en for the State budget, and the performance of 
some of them remains a significant concern. The financial position of the Government thus risks 
being undermined by the contingent debt of certain SOEs.
83 Institutional oversight, performed by 
the Unit of State Participations at the General Directorate of Treasury, is hampered by scarce 
resources and limited authority to control the SOEs.  
3.99.  At the time of Cabo Verde's accession to  the WTO, privatization plans had been drawn up 
for the State-owned airline, Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde  (TACV), the Port Authority 
(ENAPOR), the manufacturer of pharmaceuticals EMPROFAC, and a ship repair company (CABNAVE 
SARL). Nevertheless, these enterprises have remained under public ownership until now 
(Table 3.8). Two enterprises have not been slated for privatization, i.e. the postal company Correios de Cabo Verde  (as postal services are considered a government function) and the Airport 
Management Company ( Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea - ASA). However, while the latter 
enterprise is not to be privatized, the Government of Cabo Verde might consider the introduction of privately operated activities within the airport infrastructures.  
Table 3.8 Selected corporatized enterprises with State ownership  
Name of 
enterprise Principal activity Public 
ownership 
share (%) Comments 
Correios de Cabo 
Verde Postal services; 
payment services 100% Transformed into limited liability company in 
1995. Share capital CVEsc 300 million; total equity CVEsc 860 million (2013). Return on equity negative 8% in 2013.  
Aeroportos e 
Segurança Aérea 
(ASA) Airport management, 
air traffic control 100% Established in 1984. Share capital 
CVEsc 5.2 billion; total equity 
CVEsc 8.7 billion (2012).  
Estaleiros Navais de Cabo Verde SARL (CABNAVE) Ship repair services 
and shipbuilding 98% 2% owned by employees. 
Privatization considered since 1998. Interest expressed by the China Overseas Fisheries Company (CNCF) to transform the shipyard into a support base for international shipping fleets. 
Empresa Nacional 
de Administração 
dos Portos  
(ENAPOR) Port administration  100% Share capital CVEsc 1.2 billion. 
Total equity CVEsc 2.465 billion (end 2013). 
Return on equity after tax of 0.7% in 2013. 
                                               
81 Moreover, the Court of Auditors of Cabo Verde, wh ich validates all contracts, including those foreseen 
in public procurement legislation, would not be able to validate a contract should it be found inconsistent with 
the law.  
82 The privatized enterprises are enumerated in Table 1 of WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, 
6 December 2007. 
83 African Development Bank (2014). The assets of the five largest SOEs represent 70% of the capital 
owned by the State. The debts of these enterp rises correspond to 25% of Cabo Verde's GDP. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 50 - 
 
  Name of 
enterprise Principal activity Public 
ownership 
share (%) Comments 
Empresa Nacional 
de Produtos Farmacêuticos SARL (EMPROFAC) Wholesale di stribution 
of pharmaceuticals 100% Enterprise founded in 1979. Retail 
distribution activities privatized in 1996. Manufacturing of drugs ceded to INPHARMA in 1993. EMPROFAC owns 40% of INPHARMA 
Transportes 
Aéreos de Cabo 
Verde (TACV) National flag carrier; 
scheduled flights to 25 
destinations. 
Ground handling 
services in Cabo Verde. 100% Daughter company, Cabo Verde Handling, 
created in 2014 to operate ground services. 
Possible first step towards the privatization 
of entire TACV group. 
Interbase Fish conservation and 
storage  100% Slated for privatization in 2004, but sale did 
not proceed as planned. Installations ravaged by fire in 2008.  
ELECTRA - 
Empresa Pública 
de Electricidade e 
Água Power generation and 
distribution; water 
desalination utility. 78.413% Other shareholders are the municipalities 
(5.503%) and the Instituto Nacional de 
Previdência Social (INPS) – 16.084% 
Empresa Nacional de Combustíveis e Lubrificantes  
(ENACOL) Importation, 
processing, distribution, storage, commercialization, and re-exportation of hydrocarbons and its derivatives. 2.13% 48.28% owned by Galp Energia (Portugal) 
and associates; 38.45% by Sonangol (Angola); and 11.14% by various shareholders. Government retained golden share as it divested 28.5% of the share capital in 2007. Remaining stake to be divested (Resolution No. 78/2014). 
Banco Comercial 
do Atlântico 
(BCA) Financial services 
(deposits, loans, 
payment services, 
payment guarantees). 0% Share capital CVEsc 1324.765 million. 
Public offering of 10% of bank's shares held 
by the State concluded successfully in 
February 2015. State's golden share 
eliminated in accordance with Resolution 
No. 67/2014 of 16 December 2014.  
Novo Banco Banking services 
(deposits, loans, payments) and microfinance. 5% Other shareholders are Correios de Cabo 
Verde (25%); Imobiliária, Fundiária e Habitat (25%); Caixa Económica Cabo Verde (20%); Instituto Nacional de Previdencial Social (20%); and Banco Português de 
Gestão (5%).  
Garantia – 
Companhia de 
Seguros de Cabo 
Verde SARL Non-life insurance. 2.41% Part of the Portuguese Group Caixa Geral de 
Depósitos (CGD). Cabo Verde Government 
stake held by Unidad e das Privatizações e 
Parcerias Público-Privadas (UPPPP) de Cabo 
Verde. State shares to be sold to employees.  
A Promotora Venture capital fund 
with stakes in various companies, including Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos, SA . 26% Established in 1996. Share capital 
CVEsc 450 million. Other shareholders are the Portuguese Group Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) - 40%; and Garantia Seguros, Instituto Nacional de Previdência Social (INPS), and BCA – each 11%.  
Atlantic Tuna SA 
(Mindelo)  Industrial fishing and 
marketing (primarily of 
whole chilled yellow fin 
tuna, fresh and frozen 
skipjack tuna). 10% Established in 2003 for the utilization of 
10 fishing vessels. Other owners are the 
Angolan State (40%) and private 
Caboverdean shareholders (50%).  
Hotel Atlântico (Sal) Hotel business 100% Enterprise established in 1995 with initial 
capital of CVEsc 10 million. Cabetur Hotéis SA chosen as strategic partner in 2004. Government to sell its entire stake to the ASA according to Resolution No. 103/2014 of 31 December 2014. 
Source: WTO Secretariat, based on information collected, inter alia,  from company websites. 
3.100.  State-owned enterprises abide by the same corporate laws and principles as private 
companies. The enterprises have Boards of Directors and fiscal councils (internal auditors), 
and adhere to national accounting standards. The annual reports of State-owned enterprises are 
published in the Official Bulletin and/or in the newspapers.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 51 - 
 
  3.101.  The Government decided to set up a privatization and private-public partnership unit 
(Unidade das Privatizações e Parcerias Público-Privadas  - UPPPP) in 2014. Recruitment of staff 
began in late 2014. The intention is to create a team to manage public-private projects (BOTs, etc.) and to assist in the privatization of non-strategic State assets. UPPPP may be 
entrusted with the sale of the government stake in A Promotora and Atlantic Tuna.  
3.102.  As for state trading activities, weapons and munitions are imported exclusively by the 
Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs, and only BCV may import gold for monetary use. 
EMPROFAC, created to ensure access to basic medicines for the entire population, holds exclusive 
rights to import and distribute pharmaceuticals. A special import regime for fuels and lubricants, 
which had granted exclusive purchasing and distribu tion rights to two private enterprises (Shell 
and ENACOL), was terminated at the end of 2006. Since then, oil products have been imported 
subject to international bidding and supervision by  an independent regulatory agency (ARE). Also 
in the past, two public-owned enterprises – EMPA ( Empresa Pública de Abastecimento ) and MOAVE 
(Moagem de Cabo Verde ) - held exclusive rights to import food products, but such imports may 
now also be undertaken by private companies.   
3.103.  The state owned enterprise Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos , SA was sold to 
a consortium of four national enterprises in 2007.
84 At the time, the new owners inherited 
a contract, signed in May 1997, which granted the company exclusive import and wholesale 
marketing rights for tobacco and tobacco derivatives for a period of 15 years (renewable).  
3.104.  Upon accession to the WTO, Cabo Verde made a commitment to provide annual reports on 
developments in its privatization programme as long as it remains in existence. In addition, 
Cabo Verde would notify all state owned, state invested and other enterprises with special or 
exclusive privileges in accordance with Article XVII of the GATT and the Understanding of that 
Article. Although Cabo Verde has not provided any annual reports thus far, a detailed notification 
of the activities of Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos , SA, covering the period 2008-2010, 
was submitted in early 2014.85 The notification is summarized in section 3.2.2.  
3.4.8  Competition policy 
3.105.  The General Directorate of Commerce with in the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and 
Business Development is responsible for the elaboration and enforcement of  competition policies in 
Cabo Verde. Decree-Law No. 53/2003 of 24 November 2003 outlines the main principles of these policies. However, the establishment of an in dependent quasi-judicial government entity 
(the Competition Advisory Council) charged, inter alia,  with the adjudication of claims of unfair 
trade and the development of new legislation has b een delayed due to lack of qualified manpower 
and budgetary constraints.  
3.4.9  Price controls 
3.106.  Before accession to the WTO, Cabo Verde applied price controls (maximum prices) to key 
food items such as rice, sugar, corn, and wheat. However, the controls were lifted through 
Ministerial Ordinance No. 12/2006 of 13 June 2006, and maximum prices set for bread and bakery 
goods were also eliminated before the end of 2006.
86  
3.107.  At present ARE regulates prices for fuels, water, electricity and public transportation 
services (maritime transport and urban passenger transportation in Praia and Mindelo). The legal 
basis for price controls on fuels is Decree-Laws Nos. 27/03 of 25 August 2003, 19/2009 of 
22 June 2009, and 56/2010 of 6 December 2010. ARE establishes maximum retail prices for butane gas, petrol, gas oil, diesel, and fuel oil.
87 The prices are adjusted (approximately) every 
                                               
84 Current shareholders includ e A Promotora, Irmãos Correia , MOAVE, and SITA (12.7875% each); 
and the municipality of Sal (12.5%). The stake held by the employees and the public at large (36.35%) may be traded freely on the stock exchange.  
85 WTO document G/STR/N/13/CPV, 17 January 2014. 
86 Ministerial Ordinance No. 35/2006 of 19 December 2006.  
87 Petrol stations tend to adjust immediately to changes in the maximum prices, as discounts are only 
offered to large customers.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 52 - 
 
  two months in response to changes in world market prices.88 Added to the estimated import price 
are allowances for logistics and distribution costs,  value added tax, and special tax on consumption 
(where applicable).89 Maximum prices are set for two types of fuel oil (380 and 180 cST at 50°C) 
and differentiated for diesel depending on its use, i.e. for general use, electricity generation, or in 
the maritime sector.90  
3.108.  In Cabo Verde, water is provided by a limited number of suppliers (notably Electra), 
who are in effect monopolists vis-à-vis  the local clients they serve. ARE fixes monthly fixed fees 
and consumption tariffs in accordance with Decree-Law No. 27/03 of 25 August 2003, 
Law No. 84/II/84 of 18 June 1984 (the Water Law), and the concession contracts between the Government and the suppliers.
91 The tariff structure is designed to provide water to 
low-consumption households and public institutions, hospitals and non-profit social services, etc. 
at lower cost. Cross-subsidization therefore occurs in favour of these users, as the highest charges 
are borne by tourism establishments, industrial users, and other major users of water.92  
3.109.  Electricity supplied by Electra or Águas e Energia da Boavista  (AEB) is also subject 
to tariffs regulated by ARE. The tariffs may be adjusted to reflect changes in the price of fuel used 
to generate electricity. The electricity tariffs remained unchanged since April 201293 until 
April 2015, when they were reduced. The regulated rates are skewed in favour of low-consumption 
households, but the price differentiation among users is less pronounced than for water.94  
3.110.  Organized urban transportation systems for passengers only exist in the capital Praia 
(Santiago) and in Mindelo (São Vicente). The services were provided by a state-owned operator until the enterprise was liquidated in 2002. A system of licensed operators was instituted in 2004. 
At present, two companies offer urban passenger transportation services in Praia and four in 
Mindelo. However, as the level of competition is not considered fully satisfactory, ARE continues to set prices for single fares. The base tariffs were last adjusted in April 2012.
95  
3.111.  ARE publishes the maximum prices for petroleum products and fixed tariffs for water, 
electricity, and transportation services in the form of Communications in the Official Bulletin and on its website ( www.are.cv ). The website is updated regularly.  
3.112.  The Agência Marítima e Portuária  (AMP) sets the fares for inter-island transportation 
of passengers. The rates are determined in rela tion to the distance travelled and the type 
                                               
88 Prices for standard petroleum products as reported by Platts  Europena Marketscan and Platts 
LPGasWire are used to calculate the fluctuations in pr oduct prices. Shipping charge s to Cabo Verde are added 
using 2008 data.  
89 In general, a 33% return on invest ments is allowed for capital tied up in fixed structures in logistics 
and distribution. VAT is added at the rate of 15.5%, but fo r butane VAT is levied only on a fraction of the costs, 
resulting in an effective tax rate of 2-3%. The special tax on consumption is only applied to diesel (for land transportation purposes) and petrol. 
90 In early 2015, the maximum price for diesel for general use was CVEsc 108.8 per litre, compared with 
CVEsc 94.1 in electricity generation, and CVEsc 79.4 fo r use by fishing boats. The differences stem from 
differences in estimated distri bution costs as well as taxation. Diesel used to generate electricity is exempt 
from the special tax on consumption, while maritime users are exempt from the special consumption tax 
and VAT.  
91 The suppliers are Electra S.A, AEB, the Serviço Autónomo de água e saneamento de Porto Novo , 
Águas de Porto Novo ao Município de Porto Novo  (desalinated water) and Empresa Águas de Santiago . Água 
Brava  is a non-regulated supplier.  
92 For example, tourism establishments  and industrial users served by Empresa Águas de Santiago  pay 
CVEsc 546.3 per cubic metre, whereas a household consuming less than 5 cubic metre per month is charged CVEsc 230 per cubic metre.  
93 Communications Nos. 08/2012 and 09/2012 of 16 April 2012.  
94 Rates are set for low and medium tension industrial  users, power for public lighting, and private use 
(low tension). Households consuming less than 60 kW h per month are provided a rebate of nearly 20% 
compared with other households. 
95 Communications Nos. 06/2012 and 07/2012 of 16 April 2012 set the price of a single bus ticket at 
CVEsc 38 in Mindelo and CVEsc 39 in Pr aia, adding 2.25% VAT to the basic regulated tariff. As the 2013 State 
Budget Law stipulated uniform applic ation of 15% VAT, the single fares were raised to CVEsc 43 and 44, 
respectively, in early 2013.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 53 - 
 
  of service chosen (high speed service, or first or  second class "conventional" ferry boat tickets). 
Fares were last adjusted in April 2012, being unchanged since July 2006.96  
3.113.  Maximum prices for various categories of pharmaceuticals are established by ARFA 
according to Decree-Law No. 22/2009 of 6 July 2009. Drug manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, 
pharmacies and other retail vendors of pharmaceuticals are obliged to provide ARFA with sales 
data on a monthly basis. The price lists are normally revised once a year, but the administrative council of ARFA may authorize changes, upon request, at any time.
97  
3.114.  Although the prices of key food items are no longer subject to specific control measures, 
operators file electronic marketing report s. The system is being developed by the 
Núcleo Operacional para a Sociedade de Informação  (NOSi) (section 4.2.2).  
3.4.10  Trade-related intellectual property regime 
3.115.  Cabo Verde acceded to the Berne Convention  for the Protection of Literary and Artistic 
Works and to the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms, and Broadcasting Organizations (Rome Convention) in June 1996. It became 
a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 1 July 1997. During 
the process to accede to the WTO, Cabo Verde expressed the intent to join various other treaties and international agreements in the area of in tellectual property. However, as of May 2015, 
Cabo Verde was neither party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property nor 
to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and had not initiated any accession procedures to other 
IP treaties or conventions.  
3.116.  Regionally, Cabo Verde cooperates with the National Institute of Industrial Property 
of Portugal and PALOP for technical assistance and training activities. Cabo Verde also participates 
regularly in WIPO activities, particularly regional seminars for Portuguese-speaking countries. Cabo Verde has so far never carried out (nor shel ved) plans to join the Cameroon-based African 
Industrial Property Organization (AIPO).  
3.117.  From the early days of Cabo Verde's negotiations to accede to the WTO, it was clear that 
the existing intellectual property legislatio n, which predated Cabo Verde's independence, 
was obsolete and needed to be updated. A new Industrial Property Code was introduced through 
legislative Decree No. 4/2007. Cabo Verde presented an action plan to make its intellectual property regime fully compliant with the WTO Ag reement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) by the end of 2016 (if not before).
98 The action plan includes 
the revision of Cabo Verde's copyright law; the elaboration of rules, regulations and technical 
manuals; upgrading of the administrative infrastructure; and training of staff, including customs officials, lawyers and judges to ensure effective implementation of intellectual property rights. 
The Council of Ministers revised the existing Law on Copyright through Decree-Law No. 1/2009 
of 27 April 2009.
99 The revision of fees for the registration of IP rights is still pending, and many 
fees are therefore quite low.  
3.118.  The Government approved the establishment of the IPICV in 2010.100 Set up with its own 
assets and administrative and financial autonomy, the IPICV had as its aim to promote, defend and protect intellectual property. The IPICV pu blished its first bulletin, comprising some 
1,200 trademark applications filed in Cabo Verde and several copyright registrations for artistic 
and literary art work, in September 2011. The seco nd issue of the bulletin, which included the 
publication of some 600 additional trademark applications, was released in September 2012. Editions Nos. 3 and 4 were published in 2014 and April 2015. 
                                               
96 Communication No. 10/2012 of 19 April 2012 issued by ARE. The regulatory authority for this area 
has subsequently been  shifted to AMP.  
97 The annual adjustments take effect  from 1 April, based on  requests that must be submitted to ARFA 
by 15 March.  
98 The general obligations of the TRIPS Agreement have  been applicable since 1 January 2013. The final 
version of the action plan is contained in WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/9/Rev.3, 19 September 2007.  
99 Cabo Verde notified the promulgation of the Decree-Law to the WTO in early 2013 (WTO document 
IP/N/1/CPV/2, 13 February 2013). The text of the Decree-Law has been circulated in WTO document 
IP/N/1/CPV/C/1, 13 February 2013.  
100 The approval was issued in Resolution No. 25/ 2010 of 24 May 2010. The statutes of the IPICV were 
approved through Regulatory Decree No. 3/2010 of 14 June 2010.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 54 - 
 
  3.119.  In August 2014, the IPICV was merged with IGQ to form IGQPI. The merger was 
motivated by the need to rationalize structures, reduce costs, and explore synergies between the 
two areas. The website of the new institution, which can be accessed at http://www.igqpi.cv , 
includes information on intellectual property.  
3.120.  Section XI of the Customs Code deals with interventions by Customs in the case 
of suspected violation of intellectual property righ ts. These provisions have not been used so far, 
but contacts have been established between IGQPI and Cabo Verde Customs to advance work in 
this area. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 55 - 
 
  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture 4.1.1  Main features 4.1.  Agriculture's contribution to GDP was 8.1% in 2012 (including forestry) (Table A1.1). Due to 
unfavourable natural conditions (mountainous terrain, irregular rainfall), amongst other factors, 
the cultivated area is relatively small. Rain-fed agriculture (" sequeiro ") covers about 
30,000-40,000 hectares, depending on rainfall, and the irrigated area is estimated at about 
3,000 ha.
1 Most farms are family or subsistence farms.2 The main field crops are sugar cane; 
tomatoes and other vegetables; bananas, papayas and mangos; beans and maize. Maize production amounted to around 6,000 tonnes in recent years, with meat production, excluding poultry, being around 4,000 tonnes; poultry production being less than 1,000 tonnes; 
and milk production about 11 million litres.
3 There is some foreign investment in Cabo Verdean 
agriculture, and the sale of state owned land to foreigners is permitted, according to the authorities (section 2.4). 
4.2.  Agricultural production in Cabo Verde ha s traditionally been largely insufficient to meet 
domestic demand. Over the years, various instruments and strategies were put in place to address the chronic food deficit (Box 4.1). Food aid has played a major role until recently, to cover the 
needs of rice and wheat in particular, which are not grown in the country. Food aid deliveries 
peaked at over 70,000 tonnes (grain equivalents) in 1994-95.
4 According to the FAO, by 2012 food 
aid deliveries had declined to 7,000 tonnes, inter alia , due to Cabo Verde's upgrade from LDC to 
medium developed country status, and donors' shift towards budget support.5 Commercial imports 
of cereals, mainly rice and wheat, amounted to  around 80,000 tonnes in recent years, covering 
about 80% of requirements. The cereal crop in 2014 was below average, triggering FAO emergency assistance to vulnerable rural households in the form of farm inputs.
6   
Box 4.1 The Ilha Verde Project – a farm in Paraguay to supply the Cabo Verdean market 
The Ilha Verde Project has its origins in the 1980s when the Empresa Pública de Abastecimento (EMPA) had a 
monopoly for imports of basic foodst uffs and was responsible for ensuring  sufficient supplies in the domestic 
market.7 Faced with a chronic shortfall in domestic agriculture, in 1985 EMPA began to acquire agricultural land 
and forests in Paraguay through a majority stake in a Paraguayan enterprise, in or der to meet Cabo Verde's 
demand for maize and other basic ag ricultural commodities, as well as timber. In the course of the 
liberalization of the Cabo Verdean economy in the 1990s, the import monopoly of EMPA was abolished and 
EMPA is now extinct. The EMPA assets in Para guay reverted to the State of Cabo Verde. 
The Cabo Verdean Government has recently revived the Ilha Verde Project. In 2013, it signed an 
establishment agreement with Agrícola Ilha Verde  Ltd., a company with a seat in Praia and represented by 
Paraguayan investors (former partner of EMPA). The form er EMPA-owned land (9,300 ha in total) and its other 
assets in Paraguay were sold to Agrícola Ilha Verde  Ltd. for US$4 million. The Ministry of Finance and Planning, 
and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Business  Development are responsible for oversight of the 
Ilha Verde Project. The project has an initial duration of 15 years.  
                                               
1 The total land area of Cabo Verde is 5,394 km2. 
2 The last agricultural census was held in 2004. 
3 Ministry of Rural Development (2014). 
4 World Food Programme Food Aid Information System. 
5 FAO Global Information and Warning System (2015). Food aid is recorded as a budget item in the 
national budget (about CVEsc 50 million in 2015), see Ministry of Finance and Planning, Budget 2015 proposal. 
6 FAO Global Information and Warning System (2015). 
7 The former state-owned enterprise MOAVE  had a monopoly for wheat flour, which was abolished 
in 2003-04. MOAVE online information. Viewed at: http://www.moave.cv /index.php/en/evolucao-historica . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 56 - 
 
  According to the establishment agreement, the "contractual objectives" include: 
 
a. implementation of the "necessary" investments in the " Complexo Industrial Agrícola Ilha Verde " 
(a 6 ha plot near Praia) and the Port of Mindelo fo r the production of bio-diesel, ethyl alcohol, grog 
and liquors; vegetable oils; animal feed rations, fe rtilizers and pesticides; raw materials for paints 
and varnishes; and packaging materials. The establishment agreement does not specify the total 
investment amount (planned investments are of the magnitude of €103 million over a ten-year 
period); 
b. annual production after the invest ment period (12 years) of appr oximately 400,000 lit res of alcohol 
or 1 million litres of grog (cachaça); 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel; 10,000 tonnes of feed rations; 
12,000 tonnes of soya oil; 
c. promotion of agricultural products "made in  Cabo Verde" in international markets;  
d. creation of 900 jobs. 
The Government guarantees a package of investment incentives, including: 
e. exemption from corporate income ta x for ten years, plus extension for an additional ten years in 
case of substantial re-investments; 
f. exemption from customs duties, SCT and other custom s charges for primary materials; finished and 
semi-finished products for incorporation in products within the scope of the project; 
construction/packaging materials; machines, equipment, transport vehicles used in the project;  
g. exemption from VAT on imported equipment used exclusively in industrial activities; 
h. exemption from stamp duties. 
The Government's rationale for supporting the Ilha Verde project is the expected economic benefits from 
foreign investment (c onstruction), job creation, and value added generated through local manufacturing and 
processing of imported agricultural raw materials. Th e Government also expects a positive effect on the 
balance-of-payments, due to "import substitution". The incentives package (exemption s) granted to the foreign 
investor are contingent on use as inpu ts for further processing or manufacture of products  such as animal feed 
rations, ethyl alcohol, grog or soap. Generally, lowe r-priced (duty free)  imports of inputs, machinery and 
equipment provide opportunities for ma nufacturers to improve productivity  and competitiveness, and reduce 
consumer prices. However, an incentives package that is tailored to the needs of a single investor has the risk 
of creating economic rents and monopolistic structures, with well-known results (inefficiency, high prices and 
poor quality). The incentives agreed in the Ilha Verde Project involve a loss in customs and tax revenues. They 
are also more generous than provided for in the Code  of Fiscal Benefits 2013 be cause of the exemption from 
VAT and SCT, which is significant on alcohol.  
Source: WTO Secretariat; Resolution No.120/2013 of 27 November 2013 and Rectification published in the 
Official Bulletin No. 66 of 5 December 2013. 
4.1.2  Institutional and policy framework  
4.3.  The Ministry of Rural Development ( Ministério do Desenvolvimento Rural  - MDR) is 
responsible for implementing policies and coordinating investments in agriculture, animal 
husbandry, and forestry. Cabo Verde's agricultural  policy priorities and programmes are set out, 
inter alia , in the "Government Programme for the Eighth Legislature 2011-16"; 
the "National Programme for Investment in Agriculture", as elaborated within the framework of the 
ECOWAS Regional Agricultural Investment Programme; and in the State Budget Law. A common agricultural policy within ECOWAS (ECOWAP) has been formulated.  
4.4.  In general, the Government's agricultural policy aims to increase productivity, enhance food 
security and mitigate rural poverty. Public sector investments are targeted mainly towards 
irrigation; greenhouses; agricultural research and knowledge transfer (such as artificial insemination of livestock); and environmenta l measures. The MDR administers one of the 
Government's largest investment budgets (over CVEsc 3 billion in 2015), a large part of which is 
dedicated to "Mobilization of Water and Watershed Planning" through the construction of dams (around CVEsc 2.3 billion).  
4.5.  Irrigation equipment benefits from tariff ex emptions at importation. Farmers typically receive 
technical assistance from MDR at the time of installation of the irrigation infrastructure, such as water storage and distribution, and the cultivation of crops. Water use is not subsidized and water 
tariffs vary significantly between  municipalities and islands. Cabo Verde does not provide input 
subsidies, for example for pesticides, and the Government would only intervene in the case of 
epidemics, according to the authorities. Concessional loans are provided to farmers via donor-financed credit facilities. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 57 - 
 
  4.6.  Cabo Verde has outstanding notification ob ligations in the area of agriculture (domestic 
support and export subsidies). The domestic support measures that were listed in the Cabo Verde's "AGST Tables" for the base period (2003-05) are without exception Green Box measures (general services and environmental programmes).
8  
4.7.  The ARFA has, inter alia , certain responsibilities in ensuring food security (section 3.4.3).9  
According to ARFA's statutes, these responsibilities include the administration of food aid; and the monitoring and regulation of minimum stocks for basic foodstuffs (" produtos alimentares de 
primeira necessidade "), namely wheat, flour, beans, maize, sugar, milk, and vegetable oil. ARFA 
monitors the stocks of basic foodstuffs held by the main operators, and where the stocks are less than three months of consumption, issues an alert to all importers.
10 ARFA also has the possibility 
of opening public tenders in case of insufficient provisions. There are no public food stocks. Price 
controls on basic foodstuffs (maximum prices) were lifted in 2006 (section 3.4.8). 
4.8.  MFN tariffs are the only instrument of border protection afforded to agricultural products, 
with the exception of tobacco. Tobacco is imported through a monopoly, the state trading 
enterprise Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos SA  (section 3.4.6). There are no tariff quotas for 
agricultural products or preferential tariffs. Import licensing (permits) is applied for SPS reasons (section 3.4.3). Applied MFN tariffs on agricultural products (WTO definition) averaged 12.0% 
in 2015, with a range from zero to 50% (Table 3.2). The final bound rates average 19.3% for 
agricultural products (WTO definition ), with a maximum bound rate of 50%. 
4.9.  Cabo Verde notified the Committee on Agricult ure that it did not provide export subsidies for 
agricultural products in 2008.
11 According to the authorities, the Government has not provided any 
export subsidies since 2008. 
4.2  Fisheries 4.10.  The fisheries sector contributed 0.7% to GDP in 2011. The landed catch by the domestic 
fleet averages around 10,000 tonnes per year (9,839 tonnes in 2014).
12 Around half of the catch 
comes from artisanal fisheries for the supply mainly of the coastal and rural communities, since fish has an important role in ensuring food security in Cabo Verde.
13 The other half of the catch 
comes from the domestic industrial fleet (62 ve ssels in 2014). Albeit small in terms of volume 
(30-40 tonnes per year14), exports of fish and fish products account for over 80% of Cabo Verde's 
merchandise exports (Table A1.2). Cabo Verde does  not currently impose export taxes on fish and 
fish products (section 3.3.2). 
4.2.1  Institutional and regulatory framework 
4.11.  The General Directorate for Marine Resources ( Direcção-Geral dos Recursos Marinhos ) 
of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Maritime Economy is the competent authority for formulating 
and implementing fisheries' policies. The General Directorate is advised by the National Fisheries 
Council ( Conselho Nacional das Pescas ), a public-private sector consultative body.15 In 2014, 
the Government created a new independent agency ( Autoridade Competente para o Produto da 
Pesca  - ACOPESCA) whose responsibilities include ensuring compliance with SPS standards, 
inspections, export certification of fish and fisheries products, and compliance with legal requirements aimed at the prevention of ill egal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
16 
                                               
8 WTO document WT/ACC/SPEC/CPV/1/Rev.4, 21 November 2007 ("AGST" Tables"). 
9 The National Agency for Food Security created in 1998 (ANSA) was merged with ARFA in 2013 in the 
context of the Reform of the State and Public Admini stration. See Decree-Law No. 22/2013 of 31 May 2013.  
10 ARFA also issues monthly bulletins on supplies and prices of basic foodstuffs.   
11 WTO document G/AG/N/CPV/1, 17 July 2009.  
12 Mainly tuna (around 3,500 tonnes), small pelagic species (notably mackerel), demersal species, and 
lobsters. The sustainable catch level in Cabo Verde's EEZ (734,265 km2) is estimated at 36,000-44,000 tonnes. 
See "Fisheries and the Maritime Econom y" in: Cabo Verde DTIS Update 2013. 
13 The artisanal fisheries are mainly long-line operations for tuna and demersal species in small open 
boats of three to nine metres.  
14 Export volumes were 41 tonnes and 30.5 tonnes in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Ministry of Tourism, 
Industry and Energy (2013). 
15 Decree-Law No. 10/2005 of 31 October 2005.  
16 Resolution No. 68/2014 of 26 August 2014 and Decree-Law No. 39/2014 of 17 December 2014. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 58 - 
 
  Inspection fees were revised in Decree-Law No. 42/2013.17 The National Institute for Fisheries 
Development ( Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento das Pescas  – INDP) is an autonomous 
agency responsible, inter alia , for fisheries research and statistics, and promoting fisheries and 
aquaculture. There are plans to merge the INDP with the National Institute of Meteorology and 
Geophysics.  
4.12.  Fisheries policy is governed, inter alia , by the framework law for fisheries of 200518; 
the Fisheries Management Plan for 2014-1519; and the Fisheries Charter ( Carta da Política das 
Pescas ), a long-term plan for the fisheries sector in 2013-2018.20  
4.13.  The framework law for fisheries reserves all fishing within the territorial waters (a 
12 nautical mile zone21) for domestic vessels. The definition of domestic vessel22 was amended in 
2014 to include vessels owned by a partnership between Cabo-Verdean and foreign nationals, 
irrespective of the share of foreign ownership; and vessels owned by "collective persons" with a 
seat in Cabo Verde.23 Domestic vessels must be registered in the Conventional Register of ships 
(Registo Convencional de Navios ) administered by AMP (section 4.5.3.2). All fishing vessels 
(artisanal, industrial and hobby fishing ( pesca amadora ) require licences, valid for one year and 
non-transferable. The licensing fees for domestic fishing vessels are provided for in Decree-Law No. 45/2008. Industrial fishing licences are issued by the Directorate-General for Marine 
Resources; licences for artisanal fisheries are issued by the port captain.  
4.14.  The Fisheries Management Plan for 2014-15 specifies, inter alia , the restrictions and 
licensing requirements for the most important fisheries, and foreign vessels.
24 Lobster fishery is 
reserved for domestic vessels that are 100%-owned by Cabo-Verdean nationals, the State or other 
public collective persons ( pessoas colectivas de direito público ). The industrial fishery of pink 
lobster is limited to four licensees. Catch quotas for species other than pink lobster are not yet necessary, according to the authorities. 
4.15.  The Fishing Development Fund ( Fundo de Desenvolvimento das Pescas SA  - FDP) that was 
established in 1994 as a governmental agency for providing support to the fisheries sector, is extinct.
25 The FDP was corporatized in 2009 and converted into a credit institution under the 
supervision of the Central Bank.26 There are plans to merge the FDP with Novo Banco SA , a state-
owned credit and micro-finance institute established in 2010.27 
4.16.  The majority of the industrial fleet is ba sed in the ports of Mindelo and Praia, where the 
main fish-processing facilities are located. Around one third of the landed catch is processed by 
canneries.28 There are two fish-processing companies (SUCLA based in Tarrafal and Frescomar 
based in Mindelo). Foreign-owned Frescomar benefits from tax and customs incentives under a 2009 establishment agreement, which includes a local content requirement for salt.
29 A new cold 
storage with a capacity of 3,500 tonnes is due to op en in Mindelo. The facility is administered by 
ENAPOR and to be operated after an international tender by a private concessionaire. The fisheries' sector benefits from a fuel su bsidy in the form of a reduced tax on diesel. 
                                               
17 WTO document G/SPS/N/CPV/1, 19 December 2013. 
18 Decree-Law No. 53/2005 of 8 August 2005. Law No. 60/IV/92 of 21 December 1992 was repealed. 
19 Resolution No. 56/2014 of 31 July 2014. The framework law for fisheries requires the establishment 
of pluri-annual fisheries' mana gement plans (Articles 9-15). 
20 Resolution No. 17/2014 of 28 February 2014.  
21 As defined in Law 60/IV/92 of 21 December 1992. 
22 Domestic vessels are defined as vessels owned by  the State/public institutions or Cabo-Verdean 
nationals (Articles 8(a) and (b) of De cree-Law No. 53/2005 of 8 August 2005). 
23 Decree-Law No. 47/2014 of 10 September 2014, amending the definition of domestic vessels in 
Articles 8(c) and (d) of Decree-Law No.53/2005 of 8 August 2005.  
24 Three industrial fisheries (tuna, small pelagics, pink  lobster) and five artisa nal fisheries, and access 
for foreign vessels). 
25 FDP was responsible in the past for granting ince ntives in the fisheries sector (fiscal and customs 
exemptions, preferential credits, grants or subsidie s). Incentives amounted to around CVEsc 90 million 
between 1995 and 2001. See WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30, 6 December 2007. 
26 Decree-Law No. 35/2009 of 28 September 2009. 
27 Novo Banco online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.novobanco.cv/index.php?opti on=com_content&view= frontpage&Itemid=66 . 
28 The industrial fisheries are mainly for the supply of canneries, the cities, and exports. 
29 Resolution No. 25/2009 of 17 August 2009. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 59 - 
 
  4.2.2  Market access for foreign fishing vessels 
4.17.  Access to the Cabo Verdean fisheries is governed by inter-governmental access agreements 
or fishing contracts. The licensed foreign vessels fish for tuna and related species.30 
The requirement that a certain share of the catch by foreign vessels must be landed in 
Cabo Verdean ports (Article 30(f) Decree-Law No.53/2005) is not applied. Trans-shipment at port 
is subject to licensing and payment of fees; trans-shipment at sea is prohibited.31 Financial 
penalties for illegal fishing by foreign vessels range from CVEsc 1 to 30 million (Article 58).  
4.18.  Cabo Verde has a unilateral agreement with the EU regarding access to its tuna resources, 
which includes financial compensation. The Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the EU was renewed until 2017, while entry into force of a new four-year Protocol (concerning financial compensation and other matters) is pending.
32 The agreed financial compensation amounts to 
€500,000-550,000 annually, based on an annual reference catch of 5,000 tonnes of tuna 
(with access limited to 71 licensed EU vessels). The agreement provides, inter alia , that 80% of 
the funds be used to support fisheries' policies and measures of Cabo Verde.  The catch by EU 
vessels totalled 5,502 tonnes in 2014. 
4.19.  Cabo Verde has a contract regarding access to its tuna resources with a fishing enterprise 
from Japan. The number of licensed vessels is limited to 20 in the first semester and 14 in the 
second semester of each year. In 2014, 14 ships from Japan were licensed and their catch totalled 
1,371 tonnes in 2014. 
4.20.  Cabo Verde has agreements and protocols with Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal, 
which set the conditions of access to fisheries and the number of vessels. Senegalese fishing 
vessels are subject to the same licensing fees as domestic vessels. In 2014, four Cabo Verdean 
vessels were active in foreign waters, including the EEZ of Senegal. 
4.3  Energy 
4.21.  The electricity sector is regulated by the Directorate General of Energy (Ministry of Tourism, 
Investment and Business Development), and ARE. 
4.22.  Reform efforts in the electricity sector began in the late 1990s with the enactment of a new 
legal framework for electricity.33 The law is aimed, inter alia , at stimulating competition and 
attracting domestic and foreign investment, including independent power producers (IPPs). Cabo Verde is highly dependent on imports of fuel  for the generation of electricity, with a fuel 
import bill amounting to around 8% of GDP in 201 3. Energy policy is therefore directed towards 
the promotion of renewable energies, which contributed 20% to electricity generation in 2013 – 
the target is 100% self-sufficiency through renewable energy by 2020 (wind, solar PV).
34 In 2011, 
a legal framework for renewable energy and IPPs was established.35 There are currently two IPPs 
(Caboeólica36 and Electric on the island of Santo Antão). The law provides for the establishment of 
a feed-in tariff regime, which has not yet been implemented (as of May 2015). Cabo Verde has no local content requirements for renewables, according to the authorities. The incentives in 
the Renewables Law (Articles 13 and 14) were repealed in 2013 pursuant to Article 59(g) of the 
Code of Fiscal Benefits, and replaced by the cross-sectoral incentives regime of the Code of Fiscal Benefits (section 3.4.1). The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has its headquarters in Praia. In 2014, the  C e n t r o  d e  E n e r g i a s  R e n o v á i s  e  
                                               
30 The Fisheries Management Plan 2014-15 prohibits foreign vessels from fishing for demersal and small 
pelagic fish species, and crustaceans. 
31 Decree-Law No. 44/2014 of 14 August 2014. 
32 European Commission online information. Viewed at: 
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/international/agreements/cape_verde/index_en.htm  
33 Decree-Law No. 54/1999 of 30 August 1999, as amended by Decree-Law No. 14/2006 of 
20 February 2006. 
34 Direcção Geral de Energia (2014), Evolução dos Indicadores do Sector Energético em Cabo Verde: 
2003-2013. 
35 Decree-Law No. 1/2011 of 3 January 2011. 
36 Caboeólica has a 20-year power pu rchase agreement with Electra. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 60 - 
 
  Manutenção Industrial  (CERMI) was established in Praia, with the support of Luxembourg, aimed 
at improving training and qualification of pr ofessionals in the area of renewable energy.37 
4.23.  Cabo Verde's electricity system is not yet open to competition, and Electra remains the 
single-buyer of electricity.38 The legislation provides for the opening of electricity generation to 
competition based on public tender, but this has not yet been implemented.  
4.24.  The electricity and water utility Electra was privatized in 1999 but when this failed in 2006, 
Electra reverted back to public ownership.39 Electra holds a 36-year concession (until 2036) for the 
generation and distribution of electricity on all islands40, based on a performance contract between 
the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and Electra.41 On the island of Boa Vista, the private 
company (AEB) holds a sub-concession to supply electricity and water. The nine inhabited islands have separate electric systems.  
4.25.  Electra continues to accumulate financial losses.
42 Distribution losses by Electra and AEB are 
high, estimated at 26% of electricity production in 2013.43 Power cuts are frequent.44 Legislation to 
reduce losses from electricity theft and meter tampering was not enforced45, according to the 
authorities. A new law to combat electricity theft and fraud was adopted in September 2014.46 
4.26.  Electricity tariffs are subject to price cap le gislation, with adjustments of the price cap made 
by ARE.47 In October 2011, ARE adopted a new price cap formula for prospective five-year 
periods.48 Cabo Verde has a national (pan-territorial) tariff with a block tariff for households, and 
two industrial tariffs depending on installed capaci ty.  Electra does not offer discounts to industrial 
users.49 The tariffs for industrial users were adjusted following a VAT change made in the State 
Budget Law 2013.50 It appears that electricity tariffs are relatively high compared with other 
West African countries.51 Until 2011, cost increases were not fully passed on to consumers and 
Electra was subsidized by the Government. The Government has not, however, provided electricity subsidies since 2012.  
4.27.  Imports, transport and distribution of fu els are carried out by Vivo Energy (Shell) and 
Enacol (partly state-owned). Prices for most refined petroleum products (with the exception of jet fuel, bunker fuel and lubricants, but including fuel used as feedstock for electricity generation) are 
regulated by ARE. In 2009, Cabo Verde transited from a fixed price regime
52 for the regulated 
products to a price cap regime to provide incentives for savings.53 The regulated fuel prices apply 
uniformly across all islands.54 
                                               
37 Decree-Law No. 29/2014 of 13 June 2014. 
38 There is one transmission line on the island of Santiago (60 km). 
39 The State of Cabo Verde holds a 63.35% stake in Electra (since April 2013) and the remainder of the 
share capital is held by the National Institute for Social Security (INPS), and the municipalities. 
40 Resolution No. 26/2011 of 8 August created two new en tities separating the operational activities of 
the company: Electra-Norte for the islands of Santo Antã o, São Vicente, São Nicola u and Sal; and Electra-Sul 
for the islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. 
41 Contract published in BO n.  12, III Serie of 1 April 2005. 
42 Electra, Relatório e Contas  2012, p. 14. 
43 Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy (2014).   
44 Idem. 
45 Decree-Law No. 30/2008. 
46 Law No. 73/VIII/2014 of 19 September 2014. 
47 Decree-Law No.54/1999 of 30 August 1999, as amended by Decree-Law No. 14/2006 of 
20 February 2006, Article 60. 
48 Despacho No. 14/2011. 
49 Article 67 of Decree-Law No. 54/1999 of 30 August 1999, as amended by Decree-Law No. 14/2006 of 
20 February permits price differentiation among categori es of consumers, based on energy use and cost of 
service. 
50 Before this law (Law No. 23/VIII/2013 of 31 December), VAT was only added to 30% of the basic 
tariff of energy, corresponding to a VAT rate of 4. 5%, instead of the normal rate of 15%. ARE online 
information. Viewed at: http://www.are.cv/images/stories/combustiveis/preos_de_electricidade_-
_electra_e_aeb1.pdf . 
51 Gesto Energia (2011) p. 14. 
52 Decree-Law No. 52/2003 of 24 November 2003 and Portaria No. 2/2004 of 19 January 2004. 
53 Decree-Law No. 19/2009 of 22 June 2009 and ARE Nota Explicativa no.1/C/09 of August 2009.  
54 Article 6(d) of Decree-Law No. 19/2009. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 61 - 
 
  4.4  Manufacturing 
4.28.  Cabo Verde's manufacturing sector contributed around 7.9% to GDP in 2012 (Table A1.2). 
The main industries are fish- and food-processing, beverages, tobacco products, and clothing. Most processing and manufacturing companies, with the exception of fish-processors, are oriented 
primarily towards supplying the small domestic market. Industrial activities are concentrated in 
Praia and Mindelo. The list of the 80 largest tax co ntributors issued by the Ministry of Finance and 
Planning includes industrial companies su ch as MOAVE, CERIS, FRESCOMAR, EMPROFAC, 
EMICELA, SUCLA, Sociedade Caboverdiana de Tabacos , and PROLACT.
55  
4.29.  The manufacturing sector is overseen by th e Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Business 
Development. Other agencies involved in industrial development are CVI and the Fund for Industrial Development ( Fundo de Desenvolvimento Industrial ).  
4.30.  In 2010, Cabo Verde adopted a new legal framework governing the industrial sector ( Lei da 
Actividade Industrial ), which provides the instruments to encourage private-sector industrial 
development and enhance competitiveness.
56 Key principles underlying government industrial 
policy are openness to foreign investment (Article 5) with the provision that limitations on 
industrial activities require special legislation (Article 5.2), and non-discrimination (Article 6). Originally, the law contained an industry-specific incentives regime (Articles 54-69 of Decree-Law 
No. 13/2010), which was repealed in 2013 by virtue of Article 59 (a) of the Code of Fiscal Benefits 
(section 3.4.1). The reason for the repeal was to streamline incentives and bring them under the general (cross-sectoral) incentives regime of the Code of Fiscal Benefits.  
4.31.  Applied MFN tariffs in the manufacturing sector (ISIC-3) averaged 10.6% in 2015, with a 
peak of 50%, notably on certain food products, and textiles and clothing. However, these tariff 
averages understate the real ("effective") protecti on afforded to local manufacturers. The effective 
rates of protection (i.e. the rate of protection on the value added) tend to be significantly higher 
than the applied MFN tariffs, since local manufacturers generally benefit from duty-exemptions on 
raw materials, equipment and machinery.  
4.32.  Industrial establishments are subject to registration and licensing requirements. 
The Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Business Development administers the Industrial Register 
(cadastro industrial ); registration is a pre-requisite for access to incentives.
57 Registration and 
licensing are free of charge but there are inspection fees.   
4.5  Services 
4.5.1  Main features 
4.33.  Services contribute to almost half of Cabo Verde's GDP (excluding public services) 
(Table A1.1). Service suppliers are subject to registration and licensing requirements (section 2.4). 
4.34.  Cabo Verde has made substantial commitme nts under the GATS within the framework of its 
accession to the WTO.58 It has scheduled open and non-discriminatory regimes for a range of 
service subsectors ("full" commitments), notably in the area of business services, distribution, 
education, environmental services, and road transport. The full commitments are without 
limitations on market access or national treatment, except mode 4, which is governed by Cabo Verde's horizontal commitments. In addition, Cabo Verde had made a number of "partial" commitments in commercially important areas such as financial services, telecoms, construction, 
and maritime transport, where certain modes of supply are unbound or subject to other 
limitations.  
4.35.  Under its horizontal GATS commitments that apply to all service subsectors, Cabo Verde has 
scheduled reservations with respect to land owne rship by foreigners and eligibility to receive 
subsidies. Cabo Verde has also reserved flexibili ty to regulate the entry and temporary stay of 
                                               
55 See Ministry of Finance and Planning, " Relação dos 80 Grandes Contribuintes ", Extracto de despacho  
No. 1231/2013 of 25 November 2013. 
56 Decree-Law No. 13/2010 of 8 November 2010. 
57 Decree-Law No. 3/2011 of 24 January 2011. 
58 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30/Add.2, 6 December 2007. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 62 - 
 
  foreign nationals (mode 4 is unbound), except for certain categories (business visitors, contractual 
services suppliers, and intra-corporate transferees), for which it has scheduled the maximum duration of stay. The applied regime for access to Cabo Verde's labour market is set out in Law No. 66/VIII/2014 of 17 June 2014. Business visitors may be granted a temporary visa of up to 
180 days (single entry) or 90 days (multiple entry). Cabo Verde may also issue a temporary 
residence visa for exercising a professional activity or for realizing an investment (two years, renewable up to five years).   
4.36.  Cabo Verde has scheduled Article II (MFN) exemptions covering all sectors, in order to 
provide for national treatment extended to nationals from ECOWAS countries, and waivers from nationality requirements in certain activities and professions for natural persons from Portuguese-speaking countries.
59 It has also scheduled three MFN exemptions for audio-visual 
services, in order to allow for national treatment under (existing or future) bilateral or plurilateral 
agreements aimed at promoting cultural links. 
4.5.2  Financial services 
4.37.  Since its WTO accession in 2008, Cabo Verde has undertaken significant reforms in the 
financial sector to modernize its legal framework and strengthen oversight. The insurance regime was reformed in 2010.
60 In 2012, Cabo Verde adopted a new securities law61, which was 
complemented by the establishment of regula tory frameworks for book-entry securities62, entities 
managing centralized securities systems63, and collective investments undertakings.64 Reform of 
the banking regime followed in 2014. Cabo Verde's financial services regime is generally open to foreign investment and allows establishment in the form of subsidiaries or branches of foreign 
financial institutions. For many years Cabo Verde has had an off-shore financial services industry, 
which is under the supervision of the Central Bank.  
4.38.  According to Cabo Verde's commitments under the GATS, all financial services subsectors 
are covered (with the exception of "other").
65 Cabo Verde has scheduled limitations on market 
access in mode 3 for all but three subsectors66, stating that commercial presence must take the 
form of a limited liability company, or as provided for in the financial services headnote. 
In accordance with this headnote of its GATS schedule, Cabo Verde has undertaken to permit the 
establishment of branches for committed subsectors  in insurance, banking and securities within 
ten years from the date of accession.  
4.5.2.1  Banks  
4.39.  Cabo Verde currently has eight local banks which control over 80% of the country's financial 
assets.67 There are no limits with regard to cross-ownership of banks. The majority of banks have 
foreign participation, notably by financial institutions established in Portugal. The State has sold its 
minority stake in the Banco Comercial do Atlântico.  
4.40.  The BCV is the central bank and regulato r of the banking sector (including non-bank 
financial institutions or "para-banks"68), and the insurance sector.69 Overall, the domestic banks 
                                               
59 Angola, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor Leste. 
60 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010 of 17 May 2010. 
61 Legislative Decree No. 1/2012 of 27 January 2012. 
62 Decree-Law No. 58/2013 of 30 December 2013. 
63 Decree-Law No. 2/2014 of 16 January 2014. 
64 Decree-Law No. 3/2014 of 16 January 2014 
65 WTO document WT/ACC/CPV/30/Add.2, 6 December 2007. 
66 The three subsectors (without lim itations on market access in mode  3) are insurance intermediation; 
advisory and other auxiliary financial services; provision and transfer of financial information, and financial data processing and relate d software by suppliers of  other financ ial services. 
67 Banco Comercial do Atlântico; Caixa Económic a de Cabo Verde; Banco Interatlântico; Banco 
Cabo-Verdiano de Negócios; Banco Angolano de Investim entos; Novo Banco; Ecoban k-Cabo Verde, and Banco 
Espírito Santo-Cabo Verde. See BCV (2014a).  
68 In 2013, the six non-bank financial institutions were licensed by the BCV: venture capital 
management companies (1), currency exchanges offices (3); credit card and payment system companies (1); 
leasing company (1). 
69 Law No. 10/V/2002 (Organic Law of the BCV). WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 63 - 
 
  remain well-capitalized, according to the IMF.70 However, asset quality has deteriorated. The share 
of non-performing loans is relatively high (18.7% of total bank loans in December 201471), in part 
due to the economic downturn, and this has hurt bank profitability. A feature of Cabo Verde's financial system is its relatively big off-shore sect or, with eight entities in 2013 licensed to operate 
as international financial institutions (" instituições de crédito de autorização restrita ").
72 The 
off-shore banks take deposits only from non-residents and invest mainly overseas – the risks for the stability of the domestic financial system are limited, according to the IMF.
73 Since 2009, the 
BCV has performed periodic stress tests for the four largest domestic banks.74  
4.41.  Cabo Verde has reformed its regime for financial services with the passage of the "Financial 
System Framework Law"75 and the "Activities and Financial Institutions Law".76 The laws entered 
into force on 28 March 2014 and the BCV is in the process of issuing implementing notices 
("avisos "). 
4.42.  The hitherto separate legal frameworks for domestic financial institutions77 and offshore 
financial institutions78 were brought under one single regime. The objectives of the Financial 
System Framework Law include preservation of the stability of the financial system and prevention 
of systemic risks, to promote competition in th e financial services market, and to prevent money 
laundering and the financing of terrorism. The la w provides for the establishment of a deposit 
insurance scheme, which would also cover the expatriate Cabo Verdean community.  
4.43.  The Activities and Financial Institutio ns Law provides a new legal framework for the 
establishment, operation and supervision of financial institutions, including a liquidation regime. The new law extends BCV oversight to also cover "auxiliary" financial institutions, such as 
credit-rating institutions or auditors, while insura nce and securities markets are subject to special 
legislation.  Commercial banks are permitted to engage in insurance activities. The establishment by a foreign bank of a subsidiary (" filial") or branch (" sucursal ") in Cabo Verde banks requires, 
inter alia , the approval by the home country's supervisory authority (Article 6). The minimum 
capital requirements are established in Ordinance No. 19/2005.
79  The minimum capital buffer is 
set at 10% (Article 42).80 The BCV is in the process of moving to a risk-based supervision based 
on the Basel II framework. Bank fees and char ges are subject to annual approval by the BCV.81 
Mergers of financial institutions, including insurance companies82, are subject to authorization by 
the BCV.83 The merger procedure follows the rules of Articles 195 et seq . of the Commercial 
Code.84 Financial services providers benefit from fiscal incentives, including exemption from stamp 
duties and customs duties on imports of material s and capital goods that are used exclusively for 
their establishment (section 3.2.4).85  
4.44.  By law, remittance services must be provided by a bank or para-bank. Five institutions 
currently offer remittance services under arrangements with Western Union (Banco Comercial do 
Atlântico; Caixa Económica de Cabo Verde; Ec obank; Banco Caboverdiano de Negócios; and 
                                               
70 IMF (2014), pp. 9 and 32.  
71 The tourism, transport, business and construction  sector account for most of the non-performing 
loans.  
72 Banco Fiduciário Internacional, Banco Sul Atlântico, Banco Português de Negócios, Banco Montepio 
Geral, Banco Espírito Santo, Banco Privado Internacio nal, Caixa de Crédito Agrí cola Mútua, and Atlantic 
International Bank. In addition, there is one lice nsed off-shore fund manager (CA Finance, SA). 
73 IMF (2013), p. 42. 
74 For the financial stability reports, se e BCV online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.bcv.cv/vEN/supervision/financialstabilityre port/Paginas/RelatóriodeEstabilidadeFinanceira2009.asp
x. 
75 Law No. 61/VIII/2014. 
76 Law No. 62/VIII/2014. 
77 Previous onshore regime: Law No. 3/V/96; Decree-Law No. 29/2005 (both abrogated). 
78 Previous offshore regime: Law No. 43/III/88; Decree-Law No. 12/2005 (both abrogated). 
79 Ordinance No. 19/2005 of 14 March 2005, as amended by Ordinance No. 14/2013 of 
22 February 2013. 
80 Ratio of capital (tier 1)  to risk-weighted assets. 
81 The table with the fees and charges has to be sent  to the BCV by 15 November of the previous year 
(Notice No 1/2013 of 12 April 2013). The same notice also defines services that are free of charge (Article 15). 
82 Article 51, Legislative-Decree No. 3/2010 of 17 May 2010.  
83 Article 26, Activities and Financial Institutions Law (Law No. 62/VIII/2014). 
84 Legislative Decree No. 3/99 of 29 March 1999. 
85 Law No. 26/VIII/2013, Article 28 and Law No. 61/VIII/2014, Article 69. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 64 - 
 
  Cotacâmbios). The Post Office of Cabo Verde ( Correios )86 also provides financial services and has 
an agreement with MoneyGram International for remittance services. A mobile banking regime is under preparation. 
4.5.2.2  Insurance 
4.45.  The insurance industry comprises two licensed insurers (partly state-owned Garantia – 
Companhia de Seguros de Cabo Verde  SA, and Impar SA); three insurance brokers (Protege, Valor 
and AGS – Assistência Global em Seguros), and 110 insurance agents.
87 Gross insurance 
premiums totalled CVEsc 2,036.0 million in 2014 (mainly car insurance, and fire and other damage 
insurance), equivalent to about 1.3% of GDP ("insu rance penetration ratio"). The insurers Garantia 
and Impar also operate in the area of re-insurance. Total re-insurance premiums amounted to CVEsc 936.2 million in 2014.
88 
4.46.  In 2010, Cabo Verde modernized the insurance regime dating from the early 1990s.89 
The new insurance (and re-insurance) law establishes, inter alia , new solvency standards 
(Articles 60 and 88), a new sanctions regime, and opens up the off-shore insurance market to 
insurance providers established in Cabo Verde.90  
4.47.   Subsidiaries of foreign insurance comp anies may be authorized by the BCV to provide 
insurance and re-insurance services.91 For re-insurance services, authorization by the home 
country regulator is also required. Licensing requirements include operation for at least five years 
in the home country. Minimum capital requirements are CVEsc 100 million for life insurance; CVEsc 200 million for non-life insurance, and CVEsc 250 million for companies working in both areas.
92 Since 2011, the insurance industry is required to apply International Financial Reporting 
Standards.93 Car and accident insurance are mandatory and their premiums subject to approval by 
the BCV.  
4.48.  Insurers' solvency margin increased to 387.6% in 2014, up from 300.8% in 2012. 
The regulatory minimum is 100%.94 For foreign subsidiaries, the assets corresponding to the 
solvency margin must be located in Cabo Verde up to the amount of the guarantee fund, and the 
excess may be located abroad.95  
4.5.2.3  Securities Market 
4.49.  The securities market plays a minor role fo r raising and allocating capital. CVEsc 12.9 billion 
(around €117 million) were raised through new securities emissions in 2014, mainly primary issues of government bonds, treasury bills, foll owed by company bonds. The secondary securities 
market has been in decline, and is illiquid.  
4.50.  The Bolsa de Valores de Cabo Verde SA – BVC (established in 1998) - is a state-owned 
entity. The BVC's four members (2013) are licensed stock exchange operators, all local banks.
96 
The stock exchange currently has four quoted enterprises (BCA, CECV, SCT and ENACOL), and 
18 quoted corporate bonds. The market capitalization amounted to CVEsc 59.2 billion in 2013 (up from CVEsc 28 billion in 2012), equivalent to around 38% of GDP. Foreign investors are 
required to open a bank account with a local bank  before purchasing stocks or bonds at BVC.  
                                               
86 In accordance with Article 2 of the Public Service of Post Office Regulation (Decree-Law No. 93/97 of 
31 December) the Post Office provides financial services.  
87 BCV, (2012), p. 22. 
88 BCV (2015). 
89 Decree-Law No. 52-F/90 of 4 July 1990. 
90 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010 of 17 May 2010. 
91 Article 7, Legislative Decree No. 3/2010, of 17 May 2010. 
92 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010, of 17 May 2010. 
93 Notice No. 3/2010, 28 June 2010. 
94 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010, Article 88. 
95 Legislative Decree No. 3/2010, Article 89.3; Articles 100-102. 
96 Banco Comercial do Atlântico; Caixa Económic a de Cabo Verde; Banco Interatlântico; Banco 
Cabo-Verdiano de Negócios; Banco Angolano de Investimentos. See Portaria No. 48/98 of 14 September 1998. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 65 - 
 
  4.51.  In 2012, Cabo Verde modernized its securities regime, which dated from the late 1990s.97 
The reform of the securities market code aims to help foster the development of the capital market 
through improved rules, transparency and cost reductions by removing unnecessary bureaucratic 
obstacles to capital and investments flows. The new code also seeks to closer align regulatory 
standards with international best practices, in orde r to reduce incentives for regulatory arbitrage. 
The reform is a step towards Cabo Verde's intended membership in the International Organization of Exchange Commissions.  
4.52.  The Auditor-General of the Securities Mark et (AGMVM) operates under the Governor of the 
BCV but enjoys functional and administrative autonomy. Institutions under AGMVM supervision include the stock exchange, clearing and settling systems; financial intermediaries and investment advisers; issuers of securities; qualified investor s and holders of qualifying holdings; guarantee 
funds and investor compensation schemes and thei r managing bodies; auditors and credit-rating 
companies registered by the AGMVM; and other serv ices providers related to the organization and 
functioning of the market in financial instruments. In 2014, Cabo Verde promulgated a reform of 
its regulatory framework for collective investments schemes, including alternative investment 
funds.
98 The new hedge fund regime is based on th e EU model (Alternative Investment Fund 
Managers Directive 2011/61/EU). 
4.5.3  Transport 
4.5.3.1  Air transport 4.53.  Air transport policy is part of the portfolio of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Maritime 
Economy ( Ministério das Infra-estruturas e Economia Marítima  – MIEM).
99 In 2013, the 
Government approved a Transport Policy Charter ( Carta de Política de Transportes ) outlining its 
strategic objectives in the area of transport for the period 2013-20.100 The Transport Policy Charter 
complements the Transformation Agenda of 2003 and the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy 
(2012-16). The Government also created the " Núcleo Operacional para o Cluster do Aeronegócio " 
(NOCAN) with its own budget to promote the aviation sector.101 
4.54.  Government air policy priorities include negotiation of Open Skies agreements, notably with 
the EU; to ensure that Cabo Verde-registered carriers have access to the North American and 
Brazilian markets; and to establish conditions for an air hub for Africa ("Cabo Verde Gateway project to/from Africa"). The Government's Open Skies policy comprises, inter alia , unlimited third, 
fourth and fifth freedom rights for scheduled and non-scheduled services, and seventh freedom 
cargo rights (no cabotage); multiple designation of airlines; no restrictions on capacity; and no 
restrictions on tariffs.  Cabo Verde has signed one Open Skies agreement, with the United States. 
To date, Cabo Verde has negoti ated 38 Air Services Agreements, of which 15 are applied.
102  
4.55.  In 2014, 23 carriers were authorized (22 foreign carriers and TACV) to offer regular 
international scheduled and charter flights to /from Cabo Verde. Destinations cover some 
15 European countries, three in Africa, one in No rth America (Boston) and one in South America 
(Fortaleza).103 Cabo Verde handles about 1.8 million passengers per year. Air traffic has grown in 
recent years, except for air cargo (Table 4.1). One of the main policy challenges is the financial viability of state-owned TACV, which is under public service obligation on domestic routes. 
                                               
97 Legislative Decree No. 1/2012 of 27 January 2012, replacing Law No. 52/V/98 of 11 May 1998. 
98 Decree-Law No. 3/2014 of 16 January 2014. 
99 Decree-Law No. 16/2013 of 9 May 2013. 
100 Resolution No. 69/2013 of 22 May 2013. 
101 Resolution No. 101/2014 of 16 December 2014. 
102 See also AAC online information. Viewed at: http://www.aac.cv/regulacao-economica/acordos-
aereos.html .  
103 TACV has regular international flights to/from Lisbon, Amsterdam, Providence (USA), Bergamo, 
Dakar, Fortaleza (Brazil), Pari s, Guinea-Bissau, and Madrid. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Table 4.1 Air traffic in Cabo Verde, 2009-13 
 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013  
Domestic passengers (000) 787.3 864.5 885.9 829.5 703.5 
International passengers (000) 744.5 836.2 1,009.2 1,019.9 1,083.2 
Total passengers (000) 1,531.8 1,700.7 1,895.1 1,849.5 1,786.7 
Overflights (000) 37.7 39.2 44.2 44.0 43.0 
Cargo (tonnes) 3,353 3,660 4,002 3,217 3,073 
Source: ASA Relatório e Contas 2013. 
4.56.  The air transport sector is regulated by the Civil Aviation Agency of Cabo Verde ( Agência de 
Aviação Civil  - AAC), established in 2004 with administrative and financial independence.104  
4.57.  The legal framework for economic (price) regulation of the airport operator (ASA) was 
established in 2014.105 Aeronautical tariffs (traffic taxes and other fees) are subject to approval 
by AAC.106 Domestic commercial flights benefit from 40% reduced landing and departure fees.107 
The AAC has issued licensing requirements for carriers, charter services108, ground handlers, 
approved maintenance organizations, crews and air traffic controllers. Cabo Verde's air transport 
licensing regimes are based on ICAO standards, according to the authorities. 
4.58.  The state-owned ASA holds a concessi on to manage the country's airports.109 Cabo Verde 
has seven airports certified by AAC, four of which are international airports (on the islands of 
Santiago, Sal, São Vincente and Boa Vista). ASA also provides air navigation services within its 
airspace (so-called Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR) or FIR Oceânica do Sal ). Around two 
thirds of its revenues (CVEsc 4.8 billion in 2013) are generated from overflight charges for using 
the Cabo Verdean airspace.110 It appears that the ASA's airport activities are cross-subsidized by 
overflight revenues.111 In 2014, the Civil Aviation Agency introduced an airport security fee.112  
4.59.  The Government has separated the ground-han dling services from TACV activities, creating 
a new handling company (Cabo Verde Handling) wh ose ownership is to be transferred to ASA. 
Repair and maintenance services are provided by TA CV.  Catering services are provided by Freitas 
Catering and Hotel Praia-Mar. Refuelling services are provided by Vivo Energy Ltd. (Shell) and 
Enacol-Empresa Nacional  de Combustíveis SA . 
4.5.3.2  Maritime transport 
4.60.  In 2010, Cabo Verde launched a process of institutional and legal reforms that are aimed at 
modernizing its maritime and port regimes to enhance the economy's competitiveness. The main 
thrust of the reforms is the move away from a service port operated by ENAPOR towards a 
landlord port model under the supervision of an independent regulator, AMP. Maritime transport policy is informed, inter alia , by the Transport Policy Charter of 2013.
113 One of the strategic 
objectives is to develop Cabo Verdean ports into a maritime transport hub to and from Africa. 
A Strategic Plan for the Cluster of the Maritime Economy ( Plano Estratégico do Cluster da 
Economia Marítima  - PECMAR) is under preparation.   
4.61.  Cabo Verde has made substantial commitments under the GATS with respect to maritime 
services. The commitments open up most subsectors (with the exception of repair and 
                                               
104 Decree-Law No. 70/2014 of 22 December 2014. Its revenues are generated mainly from services 
fees, contributions from the regulated entities, 5% of ove rflight charges, percentage shares of airport security 
fees and sanctions, and the state budget. 
105 Legislative Decree No. 1/2014 of 26 September 2014. 
106 Legislative Decree No. 1/2014, Article 20 and Article 25. 
107 ASA online information. Viewed at: http://www.asa.cv/asa/comercial/tarifas-aeroportuarias . 
108 Foreign charter services are governed, inter alia , by Decree-Law No. 19/2004 of 24 May 2004. 
109 Decreto-Regulamentar No. 3/2001 of 4 June 2001. 
110 ASA (2013), p. 8.  
111 World Bank (2013), p. 5. 
112 AAC regulation No. 01/2013 of 2 August 2013. 
113 Resolution No. 69/2013 of 22 May 2013. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 67 - 
 
  maintenance), albeit with citizenship requirements in certain subsectors. Cabo Verde has 
undertaken in its GATS commitments to provide a range of essential port services on a non-discriminatory basis. 
4.62.  All nine inhabited islands have a port, three of which are international ports (Porto da Praia, 
Porto Grande/Mindelo and Porto do Palmeira/Sal). In contrast to rising passenger traffic, maritime 
goods/container trade has been in decline for year s, particularly container volumes (Table A4.1). 
Cabo Verde's international maritime trade in goods/containers is highly unbalanced between 
imports (unloaded ships) and exports (loaded ship s), which adds to freight costs. Freight costs 
(including air transport) amount to around 10% of the import value, which is slightly higher than the world average (8%), according to UNCTAD estimates.
114 Direct shipments (services) to and 
from Cabo Verde exist from the port of Las Palm as (Spain), Tangier (Morocco) and Portugal; for 
other destinations, goods are trans-shipped.  
4.63.  In January 2011, a new legal framework for port operations entered into force ( Lei dos 
Portos ).115 The new port law involves a transition from a largely self-regulated service port 
operated by ENAPOR towards a landlord port system, whereby the State retains ownership of the 
basic port infrastructure and port services are to be privatized. In 2014, ENAPOR became general concessionaire ( concessionária geral ) as port operator.
116 It is foreseen that port services will be 
carried out by private enterprises, either through sub-concessions or licensing schemes. The ports 
are operated centrally from São Vicente by ENAPOR, which currently still provides the full range of 
port services, including cargo and passenger handling, towing, moorage, and pilotage.117 Port fees 
and charges were last revised in 2013.118 ENAPOR has opened a Single Window ( Janela Única 
Portuária ). The electronic platform pools documentary requirements from ENAPOR, AMP, Customs, 
the marine police, and SPS-related matters.   
4.64.  Cabo Verde has reformed the institutional framework for regulating its ports.119 Since 2014, 
AMP has replaced the Instituto Marítimo e Portuário  (IMP). The AMP is an autonomous body with 
administrative and financial independence whose responsibilities include the technical and economic regulation of the maritime and port se ctors, and the administration of the shipping 
register. Its revenues include fees from regulated entities and income for coastal access (resorts). 
Port fees and charges proposed by ENAPOR will be subject to approval by AMP.  
4.65.  In January 2011, a new Maritime Code entered into force.
120 It is a major legislative reform 
(the old law had its origin in the 19th century), which is based on European models (Spain, 
Croatia, Sweden), CEMAC, as well as internatio nal conventions and standards. Cabo Verde is a 
member of the International Maritime Organization and its main maritime conventions, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa, and 
the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.   
4.66.  To fly the flag of Cabo Verde, vessels must be registered in the conventional register of 
ships ( Registo Convencional de Navios ) administered by AMP. Foreign ships are not permitted to 
engage in cabotage traffic. Although there is legal requirement to allow only nationals aboard 
cabotage vessels, a foreign captain may be allowed in cases where no Cabo Verdean is available. An international shipping registry was established by Law No. 19/VI/2003 but has not yet been implemented. The project has been reactivated and is currently under consideration.  
4.67.  The Cabo Verdean fleet (about 30 vessels) mainly provides domestic cargo and passenger 
services (cabotage); two to three vessels are engaged in international shipping. Minimum capital requirements are CVesc 4 million for cabotage and CVesc 30 million for international shipping. 
Foreign participation is permitted. Domestic inter-island cargo and passenger transport is 
subsidized by means of compensation schemes for operators servicing certain "social routes" that 
                                               
114 UNCTAD (2014a). 
115 Legislative Decree No.10/2010 of 1 November 2010, as amended by Legislative Decree No. 1/2013 
of 12 September; and Decree No.15/2010 of 20 December 2010 (port regulation). 
116 Resolution No. 42/2014 of 2 June 2014. 
117 A new regulation concerned pilotage was issued in 2014 (Decree-Law No. 19/2014 of 
25 February 2014). 
118 Deliberation No.12/CA/2013. ENAPOR online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.enapor.cv/portal/v10/PT/aspx/tarifas/index.aspx?ms=0-4 . 
119 Decree-Law No. 49/2013 of 4 December 2013. 
120 Legislative Decree No. 14/2010 of 15 November 2010. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 68 - 
 
  are not financially viable. The Government plans to introduce a concession scheme covering all 
islands, based on public tender. Operators in cabo tage traffic benefit from a subsidized marine gas 
oil price. Furthermore, ships and spare parts ar e subject to exemption from custom taxes when 
imported by national ship operators. 
4.68.  International cargo liner services are prov ided by a number of shipping agents, including 
MSC, Maersk, and Portline Containers Intern ational. According to Cabo Verde's GATS 
commitments, 50% of the staff of maritime agency  service providers (domestic and international 
transport) must be Cabo Verdean citizens.  This reservation is not applied in practice, according to 
the authorities.  
4.69.  The Government has outsourced the service of ensuring offshore maritime security within 
the country's EEZ through an exclusive conce ssion to Cabo Verde Security Services Ltd.121 
4.5.4  Telecommunications 
4.70.  ANAC was established in 2006 as the administratively and financially independent regulator 
for telecommunications and postal services.122 ANAC is financed by contributions from regulated 
operators (0.45% of revenues); licence and (spectrum) auction fees, and fines.123 Total telecoms 
revenues amount to approximately €140 million. 
4.71.  The Declaration on the State's Comm unication and Information Policy of April 2005 
establishes, inter alia , guidelines for the liberalization of the communication and information 
sector.124 In accordance with its commitments under the GATS, Cabo Verde has undertaken to 
ensure open and non-discriminatory market access for a range of basic telecom services.125 There 
are no foreign ownership restrictions in the telecoms sector, according to the authorities. 
4.72.  A new framework law for telecommunications aimed at liberalization and stimulating 
competition entered into force in 2005.126 Cabo Verde's telecoms regime is based on the 
EU model. The gradual liberalization of the regime began in 2006. The new telecoms law 
terminated the exclusivity rights of the incumbent (Cabo Verde Telecom) in international 
communications from 1 January 2006 and for fixed network services from 1 January 2007.127 
Cabo Verde Telecom was compensated by the Government for the loss of monopoly rights in the 
provision of fixed network services under a 25-y ear concession agreement (due to expire on 
27 November 2021).128 De facto , Cabo Verde Telecom remains the only operator terminating calls 
over the fixed network.129  
4.73.  Currently, there are two mobile telecom operators with their own networks, CVMóvel and 
Unitel T+. CVMóvel was separated from Cabo Verde Telecom in December 2005 as a new and 
legally independent business unit. CVMóvel is the dominant operator with a market share of about 71% in 2014.
130 Unitel T+ started offering mobile telecom services in 2007. The penetration rate 
for mobile phone services was 118% in 2014 (613,378 subscriptions).  
4.74.  There are a number of licensed internet service providers. CVMultimédia (separated from 
CV Telecom in 2007) is the only wholesale and fixed-line broadband operator. Cabocom is a 
wireless fixed operator using Wifi. For mobile broadband, there are two major operators, CVMovel 
and UnitelT+. In terms of internet subscriptions,  93.1% were mobile broadband subscriptions in 
2014 (51.3% for CVMovel and 41.8%% for Unitel T+). CVMultimédia had a 6.2% share of internet 
                                               
121 Resolution No. 78/2012 of 23 November 2012.  Cabo Verde has an EEZ of 700 million km2, which is 
about 200 times larger than its land area.  
122 Decree-Law No. 31/2006 of 19 June 2006. ANAC replaced two regulators with shared responsibilities, 
the Institute of Communication and Information Technologies (responsible for technical regulation) and ARE. 
123 ITU online information. Viewed at: http://www.itu.int/net4/itu-d/icteye . 
124 Resolution No. 13/2005 of 25 April 2005. 
125 From 1 January 2012 in some service subsectors. 
126 Legislative-Decree No. 7/2005 of 28 November 2005. 
127 Article 118 of Legislative-Decree No. 7/2005 of 28 November 2005. 
128 Decree-Law No. 13/96 of 18 March 1996. 
129 CVMultimédia and Cabo TLC (no longer active ) were licensed to provide VoIP fixed line 
communications.   
130 Deliberation No. 01/CA/2011 of 2 February 2011. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 69 - 
 
  subscriptions in 2014, and Cabocom the remaining 0.7%. The internet penetration rate was 53.5% 
in 2014 (277,339 subscriptions), mostly via 3G  mobile internet (258,150 subscriptions). 
4.75.  The concept of licensing for electronic communication operators is not foreseen in the 
telecom law (Legislative Decree No. 7/2005). To enter the market, it is only required to obtain 
authorization from ANAC under this decree's regime of authorization. However, if there is a need 
for frequency to provide the service, it is necessary to have a right of use, which is regulated by the same law and can be obtained by assignment or public auction.  
4.76.  Cabo Verde is connected to two intern ational submarine cable systems through landing 
stations located near Praia: "Atlantis-2" (Argentina to Portugal) and the "Western African Cable System" (WACS) (U.K. to South Africa). CV Telecom holds the concessions for the infrastructure and is required to offer access at a regulated price (the price must be cost-oriented but ANAC can 
do international benchmarking if necessary to fix the price). The Cabo Verdean islands are 
connected by a fibre-optic backbone. 
4.77.  Telecom tariffs are regulated by ANAC for fixed-line services (local calls, international calls); 
interconnection; local loop unbundling; and wholesale leased lines. It is mandatory for the 
regulator to determine the relevant markets and the operator with significant market power. 
Value-added telecom services have been completely liberalized.  
4.78.  CV Telecom is under a universal services obligation under the concession contract. However, 
under new proposed rules, universal services can be provided by any operator (one or more) and 
would be financed by a Fund for Universal Service and Information Society.
131 Number portability 
was introduced in May 2013. Cabo Verde does not have a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) 
regime.   
4.79.  There is a municipal tax for telecoms companies ( taxa municipal de direitos de passagem ) 
for the rights of passage in the private and pu blic municipal domains. The tax is charged to 
customers by telecom companies providing landline services (capped at 0.25% of the telecom bill), 
subject to annual approval by the municipality.132  
4.5.5  Tourism 
4.80.  Tourism is the principal economic activity in Cabo Verde, with revenues of around 
€300 million in 2014, about half of total exports of goods and services (Chart 1.2 and Table A4.2). 
The basic policies on tourism are provided in the Strategic Plan for Tourism Development 2010-13
133, and the Tourism Law of 2011.134 The Tourism Law provides for free and 
non-discriminatory access for all investors and service providers in the tourism sector. The applied 
tourism regime is more liberal than Cabo Verde's bound regime under the GATS, which provides for a number of limitations on commercial presence in the three scheduled service subsectors 
(hotel and restaurants; travel agencies and tour operators; and tour guides). In practice, Cabo 
Verde applies no discriminatory measures and limitations on commercial presence, according to the authorities.  
4.81.  The tourism industry is regulated by the Di rectorate-General for Tourism of the Ministry of 
the Tourism, Investment and Business Development. A Tourism Development Fund (Article 8) was established to finance the tourism promotion activities by the Directorate-General. The funding (CVEsc 727 million in 2014) is sourced from the new tourist tax ( Contribuição Turística ) introduced 
on 1 May 2013 (section 3.2.6).
135 Foreign tourists also pay a visa fee of €25. 
                                               
131 The Fund can be financed by contributions from operators and spectrum reve nues or other, to be 
determined by law. 
132 Article 103, Legislative-Decree No. 7/2005 of 28 November 2005. 
133 Online information. Viewed at: 
https://portoncv.gov.cv/dhub/porto n.por_global.open_file?p_doc_id=763 . 
134 Law No. 85/VII/2011 of 10 January 2011. 
135 Decree-Law No. 20/2013 of 28 May 2013. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 70 - 
 
  4.82.  The investment regime for the hotel sector comprises, inter alia , the 2014 Law on Hotel 
Establishments136, the 2005 Tourist Utility Law137, and the 2010 Law on Special Tourist Zones.138 
4.83.  The Law on Hotel Establishments prov ides for general requirements and minimum 
standards, such as mandatory internet access. Hotels are subject to annual licensing by the 
Ministry. Cabo Verde plans to move from self-classification to officially recognized hotel 
classification, with a re-classification exercise  to be held every four years. The fees for 
classification are fixed by law (Annex to Article 65.1).  
4.84.  Urban planning in Cabo Verde is undertaken with zones earmarked for tourism 
development. The special tourist zones (25) are admi nistered by a managing body in the form of a 
joint stock company owned by the State with a minority participation of a private partner (Article 7 of the Law on Special Tourist Zones). The managing body has the right of refusal in case of 
onerous property transfers of STZ land. 
4.85.  The Tourist Utility Law entitles local and foreign investors and workers
139 to certain fiscal 
and customs incentives.140 The incentives are available for investments (establishment, operation, 
and renovation) in hotels, restaurants, tour operators, tourist promotion, and other tourism 
establishments (Article 3). The criteria for acquiring the status of tourist utility are permissive, including compatibility with the national tourism plan, preservation of the environment and local 
culture, and contribution to employment and the balance of payments (Article 5). The incentives 
provided for in Article 8 of the Tourist Utility La w were repealed in 2013 by virtue of Article 59(b) 
of the Code of Fiscal Benefits (section 3.4.1), and replaced by the general (cross-sectoral) i n c e n t i v e s  r e g i m e  o f  t h e  C o d e  o f  F i s c a l  B e n e f i t s .  T h e  I n v e s t m e n t  L a w  a n d  t h e  C o d e  o f  F i s c a l  
Benefits provides for "special treatment" and "exceptional incentives" for certain large-scale 
investments (section 3.4.1). A number of establishment agreements were signed in 2013 between the Ministry of Tourism on behalf of the State of Cabo Verde, and investors.
141 It may be noted 
that the tax exemptions according to these agreements expire after 15 years. 
4.86.  In 2014, Cabo Verde modernized its regime for travel agencies and tour operators which 
dated from 1994.142 Establishments are subject to minimum capital requirements (CVEsc 
1-5 million depending on the type of activity), li censing by the Directorate-General for Tourism and 
registration in the Tourism Information System administered by Directorate-General ( Sistema de 
Informação do Turismo ).143 Licence fees are CVEsc 30,000 and licences valid for one year, 
renewable (CVEsc 10,000). According to Cabo Verde's commitments under the GATS, travel 
agencies and tour operators with more than 50% foreign ownership may be subject to limitations 
on commercial presence in terms of the number of service suppliers.  
4.87.  New legislation on tour guides was introduced in 2011, including licensing and registration 
requirements.144 Foreign tour guides require professional recognition in Cabo Verde (Article 7). 
There are currently no restrictions on foreign tour guides, including Portuguese-speaking tour guides, according to the authorities. An implementing regulation is pending. 
4.88.  In 2014, special legislation was introduc ed to establish the minimum requirements for 
establishments engaged in rural tourism, including agro-tourism.
145 Fees range from 
CVEsc 10,000 to 40,000, of which 70% revert to th e municipality in which the establishment is 
located. 
                                               
136 Decree-Law No. 35/2014 of 17 July 2014. 
137 Law No. 55/VI/2005 of 10 January 2005. 
138 Law No. 75/VII/2010 of 23 August 2010. 
139 Article 8 entitles foreign workers to freely transfer  abroad their incomes earned in the project and to 
the same rights and customs benefi ts as the workers recruited under the Law on Industrial Activity ( Lei da 
Actividade Industrial ). 
140 The tourism sector is subject to the standard VAT rate of 15%. 
141 Resolutions No. 4 to No. 8 /2013 of 28 January 2013 (concerning Llana Beach Hotel SA, Island 
Resort Ltd., White Sands Beach Hotel and Resort SA , Batuque Hotelaria e Turismo SA, and Cabo Verde 
Management SA). 
142 Decree-Law No .32/2014 of 27 June 2014. 
143 The system will be used, inter alia , for licence applications and payment. 
144 Decree-Law No. 6/2011 of 24 January 2011 (" Lei de prestador de serviço "). 
145 Decree-Law No. 34/2014 of 17 July 2014. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 71 - 
 
  4.5.5.1  Distribution services 
4.89.  The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Bu siness Development is responsible for the sector. 
Under the GATS, Cabo Verde has made "full" commitments (i.e. no limitations on market access and national treatment in modes 1 to 3) for retail, wholesale
146, and franchising services.  
4.90.  In 2009, new legislation concerning distribution services came into force, aimed, inter alia , 
at simplifying the inspection and licensing procedures.147 The law applies to retail and wholesale 
distribution services, including supermarkets. Th e Municipal Chambers or the Citizens Houses 
(Casa do Cidadão ) are responsible for processing requests for retail trade licences, and the 
Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services for wholesale trade licences. A licence request has to be accompanied, inter alia , by the Commercial Register certificate of the company, company 
statute, NIF (Unique Taxpayer Reference Number), mandate of the manager, and certificate and 
map of the building. In principle, the licence is gr anted after the inspection by the authorities. With 
the introduction of the new law and "Business-in-one-day" aimed at simplifying the procedure to register and open a business in Cabo Verde, the inspection can be postponed and the licence 
granted within two days without inspection. The Law permits the inspection a posteriori for retail 
and wholesale trade (except pharmaceuticals), but so far only requests for retail licences are being granted (regarding the establishment of pharmacies see also section 3.2.1).
148   
                                               
146 Except for the imports/sale of tobacco, prec ious metals for use by the Central Bank, and 
pharmaceuticals, and fuel.  
147 Decree-Law No. 30/2009 of 17 August 2009, which repealed the Decree-Law No. 3/2006. 
148 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.reformadoestado.gov.cv /index.php/news/134-comercio-
a-retalho-tem-licenciamento-simplificado-na-cc . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 72 - 
 
  REFERENCES 
African Development Bank (2014), Cabo Verde Country Strategy Paper 2014-2018 , March. Viewed 
at: http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/D ocuments/Project-and-Operations/2014-2018_-
_Cape_Verde_Country_Strategy_Paper.pdf . 
 
ASA (2013), Relatório e Contas 2013 . Viewed at: 
http://www.bcv.cv/vPT/Mercado %20de%20Capitais/Sistema%20d e%20Difusao%20de%20Inform
acao/Documents/RC201 3_Vaprovada_CA.PDF . 
 
BCV (2012), Relatório da Actividade Seguradora. Viewed at:  
http://www.bcv.cv/SiteCollectionDocuments/Rel at%C3%B3rio%20 da%20actividade%20segurador
a%202012%20Final.pdf . 
 
BCV (2014a), Relatório Anual 2013 . 
Viewed at: http://www.bcv.cv/SiteColle ctionDocuments/RCA2013.pdf . 
 
BCV (2014b), Relatório de Política Monetária , May. Viewed at: 
http://www.bcv.cv/SiteCollectionDoc uments/RPM%20Nov embro%202014.pdf . 
 
BCV (2015), Annual Report 2014.  Viewed at: https://www.bcv.ch/en/About-us/News-and-
media/Actualites/2015/Communiques-financiers/BCV-s-2014-Annual-Report . 
 
CI/ADEI (2014), Manual do Balcão Único do Investidor . Viewed at: 
http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/6621/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/native . 
 
Direcção Geral de Energia (2014), Evolução dos Indicadores do Sector Energético em Cabo Verde: 
2003-2013 .  
 
Electra, Relatório e Contas 2012 . Viewed at: http://www.electra.cv/index .php/2014-05-20-15-47-
04/relatorios-sarl . 
 
FAO Global Information and Warning System (2015), GIEWS Country Brief Cabo Verde , 
18 May 2015. Viewed at: http://www.fao.org/giews/country brief/country.jsp?code=CPV . 
 
Gesto Energia (2011), Plano Energético Renovável de Cabo Verde . Viewed at: 
http://www.ecowrex.org/document/plano-e nergetico-renovave l-de-cabo-verde . 
 
IMF (2013), Cape Verde, Namibia, and Kingdom of Swaziland: Selected Issues Paper on 
Challenges of Small Middle-Income Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa . Viewed at: 
https://www.imf.org/external/p ubs/ft/scr/2013/cr13292.pdf . 
 
IMF (2014), Cabo Verde: 2014 Article IV Consultation . Viewed at: 
https://www.imf.org/external/p ubs/ft/scr/2014/cr14296.pdf . 
 
IMF (2015), Statement at the Conclusion of an IMF Mission to Cabo Verde . Viewed at: 
http://www.imf.org/external/n p/sec/pr/2015/pr1590.htm . 
 
Ministry of Finance and Planning (2013), "Relação dos 80 Grandes Contribuintes", Extracto de 
Despacho No.1231/2013 , Praia, 25 November.  
 Ministry of Finance and Planning (2014), Budget Proposal for 2015 , September. Viewed at: 
http://www.minfin.gov.cv/index.php/orcamento-2015.  
 Ministry of Health (2009), Lista Nacional de Medicamentos.  Viewed at: 
http://www.minsaude.gov.cv/index.ph p/farmacias/lista-medicamentos  
 
Ministry of Rural Development (2014), Relatório de Estimativa da Produção Agro-Pecuária 2013 . 
Viewed at: http://hdl.handle.net/10961/3691 . 
 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 73 - 
 
  Ministry of Rural Development, Boletim Oficial . Viewed at: 
http://www.mdr.gov.cv/index.p hp/2012-03-09-12-35-49/ini da/estatuto/download/8-
legislacao/358-b-o-n-24-i-serie-13-de-maio-2013-lei-n-29-viii-2013-e-lei-n-30-viii-2013-
estabelece-as-normas-fitossanitaria-e-zoossanitaria-em-cabo-verde   
 
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy (2013), Cape Verde Diagnostic Trade Integration Study 
Update 2013 , July.  Viewed at: http://hdl.handle.net/10961/3942 . 
 
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Energy (2014), Directorate General of Energy, Evolução dos 
Indicadores do Sector Energético em Cabo Verde: 2003-2013,  Praia.  
 
Roquefeuil, Q., Plunkett, D., and Ofei, F., (2014), The impact of closer regional economic 
integration on food security in West Africa – Focus on the ECOWAS Common External Tariff , 
European Centre for Development Policy Management, Discussion Paper No. 154, January. Viewed 
at: www.ecdpm.org/dp154 . 
 
UNCTAD (2014a), Maritime transport in Small Island Developing States . Viewed at: 
http://unctad.org/en/PublicationChapters/rmt2014ch6_en.pdf . 
 
UNCTAD (2014b), World Investment Report 2014 . Viewed at: 
http://unctad.org/sections/dite_dir/docs/wir2014/wir14_fs_cv_en.pdf . 
 
World Bank (2009), Doing Business 2010. Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/GIAW B/Doing%20Business/Documents/Annual-
Reports/English/DB10-FullReport.pdf . 
 
World Bank (2013), Cape Verde: Transport Sector Reform Projec t. Viewed at: 
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/05/17804563/cape-verde-transport-sector-
reform-project . 
 
World Bank (2014a), Doing Business 2015:  Going Beyond Efficiency Economy Profile 2015 
Cabo Verde. Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconom ies/caboverde/~/media/ giawb/doing%20busin
ess/documents/profiles/country/CPV.pdf?ver=2 . 
 
World Bank (2014b), IDA Program Document for a Proposed Eighth Poverty Reduction Support 
Credit to the Republic of Cabo Verde . Viewed at: http://www-wds.worl dbank.org/external/default/ 
WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/04/03/000333037_20140403104834/Rendered/PDF/734680P
GD0P127010Box385166B00OUO090.pdf.   WTO (2012), Trade Policy Review: Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Togo , Geneva. 
 
  
 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 74 - 
 
  5  APPENDIX TABLES 
Table A1.1 Selected macroeconomic indicators, 2008-14 
 2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  
Output  
Real GDP growth (annual %) 6.7 -1.3 1.5 4.0 1.1 1.0 1.8 
GDP per capita (€) 2,522  2,538  2,577  2,733  2,757  2,774  2,801  
Real GDP per capita (€) 1,817  1,887  2,000  1,968  2,136  2,070  2,109  
Nominal GDP (in million CVEsc) 134,698  135,879  138,569  147,924  150,351  152,640  155,522  
Nominal GDP (in million €) 1,222  1,233  1,257  1,341  1,363  1,384  1,411  
     of which (% of GDP)        
          Agriculture, livestock production 
          and forestry 7.9 8.0 7.5 7.6 8.1 .. .. 
          Fishing 0.6  0.9 1.0 0.7 0.7 .. .. 
          Industry 5.8 6.5 6.8 6.9 7.9 .. .. 
          Construction 12.2  12.2 10.8 10.4 8.8 .. .. 
          Services 59.8 60.2 61.2 60.6 62.2 .. .. 
               Trade 11.5  12.4 12.7 12.8 12.5 .. .. 
               Hotels and restaurants 3.5 3.4 3.5 4.0 5.8 .. .. 
               Transport and 
               communications 16.4 15.4 15.2 13.7 13.1 .. .. 
               Other services (commercial) 15.9 15.4 15.7 15.1 15.9 .. .. 
              Non-market services 12.4  13.6 14.1 14.9 15.0 .. .. 
          Net taxes from grants 13.7 12.2 12.7 13.8 12.4 .. .. 
Public finance (% of GDP)  
Global balance  -1.6 -5.8 -10.6  -7.7 -10.3  -9.0 -7.3 
Public debt .. .. 66.1 77.5 91.1 101.6  114.0  
in CVEsc billion .. .. 92 115 137 155 178 
External sector (in billions of escudos, unless otherwise indicated)a 
Current account -18.5  -19.8  -18.7  -23.9  -18.9  -7.5 -11.7  
     Goods -57.2  -53.7  -56.8  -67.2  -56.3  -52.2  -53.5  
          Exports 8.6 7.4 11.3 16.8 15.7 16.4 22.1 
          Imports -65.9  -61.1  -68.1  -84.0  -72.0  -68.6  -75.6  
     Services 18.4 12.8 16.5 20.4 21.5 27.9 25.4 
          Exports 44.7 38.0 41.6 45.7 51.9 55.9 53.6 
               of which:         
               Transportation 13.1 11.2 14.4 11.3 10.8 11.1 10.4 
               Travel and tourism 25.4 21.0 22.3 29.5 33.8 36.7 33.3 
          Imports -26.3  -25.2  -25.1  -25.3  -30.4  -28.0  -28.1  
     Income -3.5 -3.4 -6.7 -5.7 -6.4 -5.4 -7.7 
     Current transfers 23.9 24.6 28.3 28.5 22.2 22.1 24.1 
          of whic h: migrants’ remittances 11.0 10.2 10.3 13.4 14.4 13.8 15.2 
                        % of GDP 8.2 7.5 7.5 9.1 9.6 9.0 9.7 
Capital account and financial 
transactions account 27.7 25.6 32.5 30.6 19.5 10.9 8.6 
     Capital account 2.1 3.7 3.3 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.7 
     Financial account 25.6 21.9 29.2 29.6 18.4 10.4 8.0 
Reserves in mont hs of imports 4.0 4.2 4.2 3.2 3.8 4.8 5.4 
Escudos/US$ (annual average)  75.3 79.4 83.3 79.3 85.8 83.1 83.1 
Escudos/€ (annual average)  110.2  110.2  110.3  110.3  110.3  110.3  110.2  
Real effective exchange rates 
(Annual average: Index: 2000=100)b 101.7  101.6  99.0 101.0  98.6 101.9  101.9  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 75 - 
 
   2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  
Memorandum items:  
Inflation (CPI, %age change, annual 
average) 6.8 1.0 2.1 4.5 2.5 1.5 -0.2 
Unemployment rate (%) 13.0  13.1 10.7 12.2 16.8 16.4 15.8 
Population ('000) 485 486 488 491 494 499 504 
.. Not available. 
a Figures for 2013 are provisional; figures for 2014 are estimates. 
b An increase indicates appreciation. 
Source: BCV , Principais Indicadores Económicos E Financeiros 2002-14 and Indicadores Económicos e 
Financeiros Nacionais , May 2015. Viewed at:  
 http://www.bcv.cv/vPT/Estatisticas/Quadros%20Estatisticos/Paginas/QuadrosEstatisticos.aspx ; 
 Banco de Cabo Verde, Annual Reports  2012, 2013, and 2014; 
 IMF Regional Economic Outlook, Sub-Saharan Africa, October 2014 and April 2015; IMF online 
information, "International Financial Statistics". Viewed at: http://elibrary-
data.imf.org/DataExplorer.aspx ;and World Bank's World Development Indicator database. Viewed 
at: http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports. aspx?source=world-de velopment-indicators . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 76 - 
 
  Table A1.2 Merchandise export s by product group, 2008-13  
(€ million and %) 
  2008  2009  2010  2011 2012 2013  
Total (€ million) .. 25.3 35.2 49.5 43.4 52.1 
  (% of total) 
Food .. 72.6 81.6 83.7 87.1 86.1 
0342 Fish, frozen (excluding fillets and minced fish) .. 38.0 38.6 36.1 36.2 43.0 
0371 Fish, prepared, preserved, n.e.s. ..  29.8 39.0 44.5 40.9 38.9 
0362 Crustaceans, other than frozen .. 1.2 0.9 1.3 1.5 1.8 
1124 Spirits ..  2.2 1.4 1.0 1.2 1.0 
Other food .. 1.6 1.7 0.9 7.3 1.4 
Mining ..  0.7 0.9 0.9 0.0 0.2 
Manufactures .. 26.7 17.5 15.3 12.9 13.6 
Chemicals ..  0.0 0.0 0.7 0.5 0.1 
Other semi-manufactures .. 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 
Clothing ..  16.2 8.5 7.7 4.6 6.2 
Other consumer goods .. 10.4 9.0 6.9 7.8 7.3 
Other ..  0.7 0.9 0.9 0.0 0.3 
.. Not available. 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database, SITC Rev.3. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 77 - 
 
  Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by product group, 2008-13 
(€ million and %) 
 2008  2009  2010 2011 2012  2013  
Total (€ million) 562.9  483.1  551.8 691.2 587.2  547.0  
 (% of total) 
Agriculture 29.3 30.7 29.1 26.4 29.0  33.3 
Food 27.7 29.4 27.7 25.4 27.9 32.1 
0423 Rice, milled, semi-milled 2.1  4.3 3.4 2.6 3.0  3.7 
0222 Milk concentrated or sweetened 2.3 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.3 
0123 Poultry, meat and offal 1.2  1.3 1.4 1.3 1.6  1.8 
0612 Other beet, cane and chemically pure sucrose, solid form  0.7 1.4 1.2 1.7 1.4 1.6 
Agricultural raw materials  1.7 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.1  1.2 
Mining 12.5 12.9 13.1 19.9 15.4 21.7 
Ores and other minerals 0.7  0.7 0.5 0.4 0.5  0.2 
Non-ferrous metals 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.2 
Fuels 11.2 11.7 11.9 19.3 14.6  21.3 
Manufactures 58.1 56.4 57.8 53.7 55.4 44.9 
Iron and steel 4.8  3.0 2.7 2.5 2.9  2.3 
Chemicals 6.0 6.9 6.2 5.7 6.0 6.8 
Other semi-manufactures 15.8  14.1 13.4 12.3 11.6  11.6 
6612 Portland cement and similar hydraulic cements  4.5 4.2 3.8 3.1 3.1 3.2 
6624 Non-refractory b rick, tiles, pipes, etc.  1.9 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.1  1.0 
6911 Iron or steel structures, tubes and the like, for use in 
structures 2.0 1.2 1.6 1.8 0.9 0.9 
Machinery and transport equipment 23.5  24.3 27.8 26.1 27.3  16.5 
Power generating machines 1.0 1.1 1.7 5.5 0.7 0.5 
Other non-electrical machinery 6.3  7.0 5.2 4.8 5.1  3.5 
Office machines & telecommunication equipment  2.9 3.7 7.7 3.4 3.7 3.9 
Other electrical machines  3.6 3.5 5.2 4.1 3.4  3.2 
Automotive products 8.3 7.0 6.2 5.3 5.7 3.9 
Other transport equipment  1.5 2.0 1.8 2.9 8.7  1.4 
Textiles 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 
Clothing 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.7  0.6 
Other consumer goods 6.6 6.9 6.7 5.9 6.4 6.4 
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2  0.1 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database, SITC Rev.3. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 78 - 
 
  Table A3.1 MFN tariff averages by HS2-digit level, 2015 
 HS Description No. of 
lines Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Share of 
duty free 
lines (%) CVa 
 Total 5,768 10.3 0-50 44.1 1.3 
01 Live animals 25 3.2 0-5 36.0 0.8 
02 Meat and edible meat offal 58 22.8 20-50 0 0.2 
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic 
invertebrates 106 22.1 20-30 0 0.2 
04 Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible 
products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included 37 10.5 0-20 2.7 0.7 
05 Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified 
or included 16 5.0 0-20 75.0 1.7 
06 Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the 
like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage 16 11.3 0-20 43.8 0.9 
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 60 12.6 0-30 1.7 0.5 
08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or 
melons 60 2.7 0-20 85.0 2.5 
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices 53 18.2 5-40 0 0.7 
10 Cereals 19 6.3 0-20 15.8 0.7 
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; 
inulin; wheat gluten 31 7.3 0-20 3.2 0.8 
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; misc grains, 
seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 43 0.7 0-10 93.0 3.7 
13 Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and 
extracts 10 0 0 100.0 0 
14 Vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products 
not elsewhere specified or included 6 0 0 100.0 0 
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their 
cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal 
or vegetable waxes 55 3.5 0-5 29.1 0.6 
16 Preparations of meat, of  fish or of crustaceans, 
molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates 28 28.9 20-40 0 0.3 
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery 18 8.9 5-30 0 0.9 
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 17 22.6 5-50 0 0.9 
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; 
pastry cooks' products 22 25.5 0-40 4.5 0.5 
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other 
parts of plants 57 23.3 20-30 0 0.2 
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 20 18.5 0-30 20.0 0.6 
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 29 35.2 0-50 10.3 0.5 
23 Residues and waste from the food industries; 
prepared animal fodder 24 0 0 100.0 0 
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 9 15.6 0-50 55.6 1.3 
25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering 
materials, lime and cement 72 2.0 0-10 61.1 1.3 
26 Ores, slag and ash 41 0 0 100.0 0 
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their 
distillation; bituminous substances; mineral 
waxes 59 4.4 0-20 22.0 0.8 
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic 
compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes 176 0 0 100.0 0 
29 Organic chemicals 386 0.0 0-5 99.2 11.3 
30 Pharmaceutical products 34 0 0 100.0 0 
31 Fertilizers 23 0 0 100.0 0 
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their 
derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks 55 9.5 0-40 56.4 1.6 
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic 
or toilet preparations 33 15.0 0-30 9.1 0.8 
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing 
preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental 
preparations with a basis 26 21.0 5-50 0 0.9 
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; 
glues; enzymes 15 5.0 5.0 0 0 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 79 - 
 
   HS Description No. of 
lines Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Share of 
duty free 
lines (%) CVa 
36 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; 
pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible 
preparations 9 18.9 5-30 0 0.7 
37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 35 16.9 0-20 5.7 0.3 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 94 3.5 0-5 29.8 0.7 
39 Plastics and articles thereof 145 6.9 0-30 54.5 1.3 
40 Rubber and articles thereof 103 12.7 0-30 38.8 1.0 
41 Raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and 
leather 37 10.0 10.0 0 0 
42 Articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut) 22 28.0 5-30 0 0.2 
43 Fur skins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof 12 50.0 50.0 0 0 
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 77 13.5 0-40 7.8 1.0 
45 Cork and articles of cork 8 5.0 0-10 50.0 1.0 
46 Manufactures of straw, of esparto or of other 
plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork 12 27.5 20-30 0 0.2 
47 Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic 
material; recovered (was te and scrap) paper and 
paperboard 21 0 0 100.0 0 
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of 
paper or of paperboard 106 5.4 0-20 17.9 0.9 
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other 
products of the printing industry; manuscripts, 
typescripts and plans 21 6.7 0-20 61.9 1.3 
50 Silk 9 12.2 0-30 33.3 1.1 
51 Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn 
and woven fabric 38 4.5 0-10 47.4 1.0 
52 Cotton 136 13.5 0-20 5.9 0.6 
53 Other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and 
woven fabrics of paper yarn 24 2.3 0-10 70.8 1.7 
54 Man-made filaments 70 9.4 5-20 0 0.6 
55 Man-made staple fibres 110 13.9 5-25 0 0.5 
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; 
twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 32 9.4 0-10 6.3 0.3 
57 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 21 49.0 30-50 0 0.1 
58 Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; 
tapestries; trimmings; embroidery 40 23.0 5-50 0 0.4 
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated 
textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable 
for industrial use 24 12.5 5-30 0 0.7 
60 Knitted or crocheted fabrics 43 20.0 20.0 0 0 
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, 
knitted or crocheted 106 27.7 20-30 0 0.2 
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not 
knitted or crocheted 113 40.0 40.0 0 0 
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn 
clothing and worn textile articles; rags 52 16.2 0-20 13.5 0.5 
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such 
articles 28 30.0 30.0 0 0 
65 Headgear and parts thereof 9 22.2 0-40 44.4 0.9 
66 Umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, seat-
sticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof 6 30.0 30.0 0 0 
67 Prepared feathers and down and articles made of 
feathers or of down; artifi cial flowers; articles of 
human hair 8 45.0 10-50 0 0.3 
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica 
or similar materials 57 10.4 0-20 14.0 0.7 
69 Ceramic products 32 19.2 5-50 0 0.7 
70 Glass and glassware 68 13.0 0-50 42.6 1.3 
71 Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-
precious stones, precious metals, metals clad 
with precious metal, and articles thereof; 
imitation jewellery; coin 54 19.4 0-40 31.5 0.9 
72 Iron and steel 167 0 0 100.0 0 
73 Articles of iron or steel 159 5.3 0-20 61.0 1.4 
74 Copper and articles thereof 53 2.8 0-20 77.4 2.0 
75 Nickel and articles thereof 17 0.6 0-10 94.1 4.0 
76 Aluminium and articles thereof 41 3.9 0-20 75.6 1.9 
78 Lead and articles thereof 8 1.3 0-10 87.5 2.6 
79 Zinc and articles thereof 9 1.1 0-10 88.9 2.8 
80 Tin and articles thereof 5 2.0 0-10 80.0 2.0 
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof 49 2.7 0-10 73.5 1.7 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 80 - 
 
   HS Description No. of 
lines Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Share of 
duty free 
lines (%) CVa 
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of 
base metal; parts thereof of base metal 66 4.5 0-20 77.3 1.8 
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 45 13.8 0-20 31.1 0.7 
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and 
mechanical appliances; parts thereof 556 2.5 0-30 77.9 2.5 
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts 
thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 372 9.3 0-30 29.8 1.1 
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock 
and parts thereof; railway or tramway track 
fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; 
mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic 
signalling equipment of all kinds 23 0 0 100.0 0 
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-
stock, and parts and accessories thereof 245 22.0 0-50 17.1 0.8 
88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 15 0 0 100.0 0 
89 Ships, boats and floating structures 28 0.7 0-5 85.7 2.4 
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, 
measuring, checking, precision, medical or 
surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and 
accessories thereof 159 4.7 0-30 67.3 1.9 
91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof 54 21.4 0-30 5.6 0.6 
92 Musical instruments; parts and accessories of 
such articles 17 0 0 100.0 0 
93 Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories 
thereof 27 29.6 0-50 40.7 0.8 
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress 
supports, cushions and similar stuffed 
furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not 
elsewhere specified or included; illuminated 
signs, illuminated name-plates 46 30.7 0-50 19.6 0.6 
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and 
accessories thereof 31 13.4 5-40 0 1.1 
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 48 16.8 5-50 0 0.7 
97 Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques 7 0 0 100.0 0 
a Coefficient of variation. 
Note: The 2015 tariff is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,768 tariff lines (at 10-digit tariff line 
level). 0 implies 0 (not rounded), wh ile 0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on IDB data base and information provid ed by the authorities. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 81 - 
 
  Table A3.2 Special Tax on Consumption (STC) 
HS Code Description Rates 
(%) 
1604.30.00.00 Caviar and caviar substitutes: 10 
2203.00.10.00 and 
2203.00.90.00 Malt beer 40 
2204 - Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape musts other 
 than that of heading 2009:  
2204.10.00  - Sparkling wine 40 
 
2204.21.00.90  2204.29.00.90 Other wines: 
 - In containers up to 2 litres:  - Others  40 
40 
2205 Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes  flavored with plants or aromatic 
substances:  
2205.10.00.00  - In containers holding 2 litres or less: 40 
2205.90.00.00  - Others  40 
2206 Other fermented beverages (for exampl e, cider, perry, mead); mixtures of 
fermented beverages and mixtures of fermented beverages and non-
alcoholic beverages, not elsewhere specified or included:  
2206.00.10.00 - Beer excluding the one made of malt 40 
2206.00.90.00 - Others 40 
2208 Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 
80% vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages:  
2208.20.00.00  - Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc (grape 
 brandy): 40 
2208.30.00.00  - Whiskies:  40 
2208.40.00.00  - Rum and tafia: 40 
2208.50.00.00  - Gin and Geneva 40 
2208.60.00.00  - Vodka  40 
2208.70.00.00  - Liqueurs and cordials 40 
2208.90.00.90  - Other 40 
2402 Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or of tobacco 
substitutes:  
2402.10.00.00  - Cigars, cigarillos, containing tobacco: 20 
2402.20.00.00  - Cigarettes containing tobacco: 20 
2402.90.00.00  - Others: 20 
2403 Other manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; 
"homogenized" or "reconstituted" tobacco; tobacco extracts and essences:   
2403.10.00.00 Smoking tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any 
proportion: 20 
2710 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than 
crude; preparations not elsewhere sp ecified or included, containing by 
weight 70% or more of Petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste 
oils:  
2710.00.21.00  - Lubricating oils 10 
2710.00.29.00  - Others 10 
2710.00.32.00  - Gasoline:  10 
2710.00.33.00  - Gasoline 10 
2710.00.39.00  - Others 10 
2710.00.51.00  - Diesel 10 
3303 Perfumes and toilet waters:  
3303.00.10.00  - - - Floral or flower waters 10 
3303.00.20.00  - - - Floral or flower waters not containing alcohol 10 
3303.00.90.00  - - - Others 10 
3304 Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin 
(other than medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan preparations; 
manicure or pedicure preparations:  
3304.10.00.00  - Lip make-up preparations 10 
3304.20.00.00  - Eye make-up preparations 10 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 82 - 
 
  HS Code Description Rates 
(%) 
3304.30.00.00  - Manicure or pedicure preparations 10 
 - Others:  
3304.91.00.00  - - Powders, whether or not compressed  10 
3304.99.00.00  - - Others  10 
3604 Fireworks, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic 
articles:  
3604.10.00.00  - Fireworks (display):  10 
3604.90.00.00  - Others  10 
4302 Tanned or dressed fur skins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces 
or cuttings), unassembled, or assemb led (without the addition of other 
materials) other than those of heading 4303:  
4302.11.00.00  - - Of mink 10 
4302.12.00.00  - - Of rabbit or hare  10 
4302.13.00.00  - - Of lamb, the following: Astrakhan, Broadtail, Caracul, Persian and 
 similar lamb, Indian Chinese, Mongolian or Tibetan lamb 10 
4302.19.00.00  - - Others 10 
4302.20.00.00  - Heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, not assembled 10 
4302.30.00.00  - Whole skins and pieces or cuttings thereof, assembled 10 
4303 Articles of apparel, clothing accessories and other articles of fur skin:  
4303.10.00.00  - Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 10 
4303.90.00.00  - Others 10 
4304.00.00.00  Artificial fur and articles thereof 10 
7101 Pearls, natural or cultured, whether or not worked or grated but not 
strung, mounted or set; pearls natural or cultured, temporarily string for 
convenience of transport  
7101.10.00.00  - Natural pearls  10 
7101.21.00.00 - - Unworked 10 
7101.22.00.00 - - Worked 10 
7102 Diamonds, whether or not worked, but not mounted or set:  
7102.10.00.00  - Unsorted  10 
7102.31.00.00  - - Unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted  10 
7102.39.00.00  - - Other  10 
7103 Precious stones (other than diamonds) and semiprecious stones whether or 
not worked or grated but not strung , mounted or set; ungraded precious 
stones (other than diamonds and semi precious stones temporarily strung 
for convenience of transport:  
7103.10.00.00 - Unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped 10 
7103.91.00.00 Ruby, sapphire and emerald 10 
7103.99.00.00  - - Other  10 
7104 Synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious stones, whether or 
not worked or grated but not strung , mounted or set; ungraded synthetic 
or reconstructed precious or semiprecious stones, temporarily strung for 
convenience of transport:   
7104.20.00.00  - Other, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped 10 
7104.90.00.00  - Other 10 
7113 Articles of jewellery and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad 
with precious metal  
7113.11.00.00  - - Of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metals 10 
7113.19.00.00  - - Of other precious metals whether or not plated or clad with precious 
metal 10 
7113.20.00.00  - Of base metal clad with precious metal 10 
7114 Articles of goldsmith's or silversmith's wares and parts thereof, of precious 
metal or metal clad with precious metal:  
7114.11.00.00  - - Of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metal: 10 
7114.19.00.00  - - Of other precious metals whether or not plated or clad with precious 
metal 10 
7114.20.00.00  - Of base metal clad with precious metal 10 
7115 Other articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal  
7115.90.00.00 - Artefacts for technical or laboratory use 10 WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 83 - 
 
  HS Code Description Rates 
(%) 
7116 Articles of natural or cultured pearls, precious or semiprecious stones 
(natural, synthetic or reconstructed):  
7116.10.00.00  - Of natural or cultured pearls  10 
7116.20.00.00  - Of precious or semiprecious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) 10 
7117 Imitation jewellery  
7117.11.00.00  - - Cuff links and studs  10 
7117.19.00.00  - - Other  10 
7117.90.00.00  - Other  10 
Ex-87 Automobiles used to transport persons and merchandise up to 5 tons, 
used, of the headings 8702, 8703, 8704.21.20.11 to 8704.21.20.29 and 
8704.31.20.11 to 8704.31.20.29: 
-Up to four years old 
- With more than four years and up to six years old 
- With more than six years and up to ten years old 
- With more than ten years old: 
Road tractors for semi-trailers, track-laying tractors, and other tractors, 
except pedestrian controlled tractors and automobiles for the transport of 
merchandise with capacity greater than 5 tons, used, from the headings 
8701.20.00 to 8710.90.00 and 8704.22.20.11 to 8704.22.20.19, 
8704.23.20.11 to 8704.23.20.19, 8704.32.20.11 to 8732.20.19, 
8704.90.00.11 to 8704.90.00.19: 
- Up to four years old 
- Up to six years old: 
- Up to ten years old 
- With more than ten years old:   
 
 
0 
40 
80 
150 
 
 
 
 
 
0 
10 
20 
60 
8903 Yachts and other vessels for pleasure or sports; row boats and canoes  
8903.91.00.00  - Sail boats with or without auxiliary motors 10 
8903.91.00.90  - Sail boats with motors 10 
8903.92.00.00  - Motor boats other than outboard motorboats  10 
9303 Other firearms and similar devices which operate by the firing of an 
explosive charge (for example, sporting shotguns and rifles, muzzle loaded 
firearms Very pistols and other devices designed to project only signal flares, pistols and revolvers for firing blank ammunition, captive bolt humane killers, line-throwing guns):   
9303.10.00.00  - Muzzle loading firearms  10 
9303.20.00.00  - Other sporting, hunting or target shooting shot-guns, including 
combination short-gun rifles 10 
9303.30.00.00  - Other sporting, hunting or target-shooting rifles 10 
9303.90.00.00  - Other 10 
9304.00.00.00 Other firearms (for example: rifles, carbines, and pistols, spring loaded, of 
air compression or of gas, "matracas") except those of heading 9307 10 
9701 Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than 
drawing of heading 4906 and other than hand-painted or hand decorated 
manufactured articles; collages and similar decorative plaques; all the foregoing, framed or not framed:  
9701.10.00.00  - Paintings, drawings and pastels 10 
9701.90.00.00  - Other 10 
9702.00.00.00 Original engravings, prints and lit hographs, framed and not framed 10 
9703.00.00.00 Original sculpture and statuary, in any material 10 
9706.00.00.00 Antiquities of an age exceeding one hundred years. 10 
Source: Law of Taxes on Expenses, Articles 24 and 29. Tax rates revised in 2011 (Law No. 10/VIII/2011). WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 84 - 
 
  Table A3.3 Goods subject to the Ecological Tax 
Description Rates 
(CVEsc/kg)  
I. Products and packaging of large consumption  
Batteries and cells of electric batteries 100 
Rechargeable batteries  50 
Articles for the transportation or packing of goods made of plastics, corks, lids, caps and 
other devices designed for sealing contai ners, of plastic (PET and derivatives) 50 
Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, vials, ampo ules and other glass containers for transport or 
packaging (glass and similar items) 50 
Tanks, casks, drums, jerry cans, cans , boxes and similar containers (metal) 50 
Paper and cardboard, coated 50 
Rockets, fireworks, firework bombs, fi recrackers and other pyrotechnic articles  200 
Plastic foil in rolls 60 
Photographic plates and films for disposable photos  50 
Aluminium foil in rolls 80 
Kitchen utensils in disposable or non-disposable plastic  80 
Cigarettes and cigarillos 200 
New tyres  50 
Retreaded or used tyres 100 
Plastic cups 80 
Petroleum oils and derivatives 2 
Plastic trays for eggs 5 
Packing cases, boxes, crates, casks and simila r wood packaging, wood cable reel, pallets 20 
Disposable diapers for babies and children  5 
Chewing gum 100 
Electrical and electronic products 2 
Balloons 10 
II. Products and packaging for industrial  production and subsidiary materials   
Articles for the transportation or packing of goods made of plastics, corks, lids, caps and 
other devices designed for sealing contai ners, of plastic (PET and derivatives)  25 
Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, vials, ampo ules and other glass containers for transport or 
packaging (glass and similar items) 2 
Tanks, casks, drums, jerry cans, cans , boxes and similar containers (metal) 11 
Paper and cardboard, coated 10 
Plastic foil in rolls 25 
Aluminium foil in rolls  18 
Packing cases, boxes, crates, casks and simila r wood packaging, wood cable reel, pallets 2 
Source: Law No. 17/VIII/2012 of 23 August 2012, Table I. WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 85 - 
 
  Table A3.4 Prohibited impo rted goods in Cabo Verde 
Goods whose importation is prohibited in Cabo Verde 
1 Animals and animal products from foreign areas where there is epizooty. This prohibition did not apply 
to all epizooties but only to those which Cabo Verde is not immune to and which are considered dangerous to the national livestock (animal health), plants, vegetables (flora) on the principle of risk analysis and international norms and standards 
2 Elder tree berry 
3 Unauthorized foreign lottery tickets or its fractions 
4 Boxes or gathered bales and bundles, with the sa me mark and packed in one volume containing 
different or the same kind of goods, which are impo rted without declaration of the number and the total 
weight of the boxes or gathered bales 
5 Cannabis Sativa L, known as "Indian Hemp" 
6 Imitations of postage-stamp, postmark and other postal st amps in use in Cabo Verde 
7 Containers manufactured with terneplate packing g oods other than mineral oils and, when empty or 
unassembled, are not consigned exclusively to companies which sell mineral oils 
8 Books when counterfeited ed itions and fraudulent copies of literary  and artistic works protected by law 
and international conventions 
9 Medicaments of secret composition or not properly registered 
10 Medications of poor quality or out of date; fo odstuff harmful or dangerous to public health 
11 Goods with false factory marks, fa lse trademarks or false origin or provenance, contravening laws and 
international agreements in effect 
12 Goods brought by ships sailing in contravention of international conventions 
13 Pornographic objects, pictures, b ooks, printed papers, recorded film s, drawings, stamps, written libel 
and publications, offensive to morals and public decency 
14 Plants and any of its parts coming from infected areas of phylloxera or of any other epiphytic disease 
15 Roulettes and other gambling game s without previous authorization 
16 Wines and liquors with any geographical denomina tions legally defined or any others which can 
occasion mistakes about their real origin, when they  are not produced in the wine-growing areas known 
under those denominations, or with such denomination s as "kind of", "type", "rival of", "superior to" 
and similar logos 
17 Distilled alcoholic drinks which contain essences or chemical products such as: absinth, benzoic 
aldehyde, salicylic ethers, hyssop and other prod ucts recognized as noxious for human health 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 86 - 
 
  Table A3.5 Goods subject to non-automatic licensing  
HS Code Description 
01.01 to 01.06 Live animals 
02.01 to 02.10 Meats and edible offals 
03.01 to 03.07 Fish and crustaceous, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates  
04.01 Milk and cream, not concentrated nor cont aining added sugar or other sweetening 
matter 
04.03 Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, yogurt, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk 
and cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter or flavoured or containing added fruit, nuts or cocoa 
04.04 Whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter; products consisting of natural milk  constituents, whether or not containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included 
04.05 Butter and other fats and oils  derived from milk; dairy spreads 
04.06 Cheese and curd 
04.07 Birds' eggs, in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked 
04.08 Birds' eggs, not in shell, and egg yolks, fresh, dried, cooked by steaming or by boiling in 
water, molded, frozen or otherwise preserved,  whether or not containing added sugar or 
other sweetening matter 
0409.00.00 Natural honey 
0410.00.00 Edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included  
0504.00.00 Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (other than fish), whole and pieces thereof, 
fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked 
05.11 Animal products not elsewhere specified or included; dead animals of chapter 1 or 3, 
unfit for human consumption 
06.01 to 06.04 Live plants or flower producing products 
07.01 Potatoes, fresh or chilled  
0702.00.00 Tomatoes, fresh or chilled 
07.03 Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled 
07.04 Cabbages, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale and similar edible brassicas, fresh or chilled 
07.05 Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) and chicory ( Cichorium spp .), fresh or chilled 
07.06 Carrots, turnips, salad beets (salad beetroot), salsify, celeriac, radishes and similar 
edible roots, fresh or chilled 
0707.00.00 Cucumbers, including gherkins, fresh or chilled 
07.08 Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled 
07.09 Other vegetables, fresh or chilled 
07.13 Dried leguminous vegetables, shelle d, whether or not skinned or split  
07.14 Cassava (manioc), arrowroot, salep, Jerusale m artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar 
roots and tubers with high starch or inulin content fresh, chilled, fro zen or dried, whether 
or not sliced or in the form of pellets; sago pith 
08.01 Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled 
08.02 Other nuts, fresh or dried, whet her or not shelled or peeled 
08.03 Bananas and plantains, fresh or dried 
08.04 Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried 
08.05 Citrus fruits, fresh or dried 
08.06 Grapes, fresh or dried 
08.07 Melons (including watermelons) and papayas (papaws), fresh 
08.08 Apples, pears and quinces, fresh 
08.09 Apricots, cherries, peaches (including nectarines), plums (including prune plums) and 
sloes, fresh 
08.10 Other fruit, fresh 
08.13 Fruit, dried, other than that of headings 0801 to 0806; mixtures of nuts or dried fruits of 
this chapter 
09.01 Coffee, whether or not roas ted or decaffeinated; coff ee husks and skins; coffee 
substitutes containing coffee in any proportion 
10.01 to 10.08 Cereals WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 87 - 
 
  HS Code Description 
12.01 to 12.14 Seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken, grains, seeds and diverse fruits, 
industrial or medicinal plants, cereal straw and husks, similar forage products, whether 
or not in the form of pellets 
14.01 Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily  for plaiting (for example, bamboos, rattans, 
reeds, rushes, osier, raffia, cleaned, blea ched or dyed cereal straw, and lime bark) 
1501.00.00 Pig fat (including lard) and poultry fat, other than that of heading 0209 or 1503 
15.03 to 15.18 Animal or vegetable oils (destined for human alimentary needs) 
16.01 Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood; food preparations based on 
these products 
16.02 Other prepared or preserve d meat, meat offal or blood 
1901.10.00 Preparations for infant use, put up for retail sale: Containing over 10% by weight of milk 
solids 
2207.10.10 Un-denatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher for 
pharmaceutical purposes 
23.09 Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding 
2501.00.20 Salt destined for human alimentary needs 
30.01 to 30.06 Pharmaceutical products 
31.01 to 31.05 Fertilizers 
3601.00.00 Explosive powders 
36.02 Explosive preparations, except explosive powders 
38.08 Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant 
growth regulators, disinfectant s and similar products, put up in forms or packings for 
retail sale or as preparations or articles (f or example, sulphur treated bands, wicks and 
candles, and flypapers) 
40.14 Baby bottles, nipples and tits of rubber, vulcanized not hardened 
41.01 Raw hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals (fresh, or salted, 
dried, limed, pickled or ot herwise preserved, but not ta nned, parchment dressed or 
further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split 
41.02 Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise 
preserved, but not tanned, parchment dressed or further prepared), whether or not with 
wool on or split, other than those excl uded by note 1(c) to this chapter 
41.03 Other raw hides and skins (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, 
but not tanned, parchment dressed or furthe r prepared), whether or not dehaired or 
split, other than those excluded by note 1(b) or 1(c) to this chapter 
7013.39.00 Baby bottles, of glass 
93.01 to 93.07 Weapons and munitions, parts and accessories thereof 
Source: Information provided by the authorities.  WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 88 - 
 
  Table A4.1 Maritime transport in Cabo Verde, 2008-12  
  2008  2009  2010  2011 2012  
  (No.) 
Total vessels 6,171  6,111  6,238  7,849 6,660  
     Long-distance 1,294 1,235 1,303 1,295 1,082 
          Docked/moored 1,037 965 1,002 953 833 
               National 28 14 6 15 25 
               Foreign 1,009 951 996 938 808 
          Anchored 257 270 301 342 249 
               National 3 2 0 1 1 
               Foreign 254 268 301 341 248 
     Cabotage 4,877 4,876 4,935 6,554 5,578 
          Docked/moored 4,697 4,683 4,709 6,407 5,433 
          Anchored 180 193 226 147 145 
  (1,000 tonne) 
Total goods 2,148  1,865  1,850  2,048 1,892  
     Long-distance 1,435 1,201 1,189 1,219 1,050 
          Loaded 106 70 55 73 55 
          Unloaded 1,329 1,131 1,134 1,147 995 
          General cargo 172 136 158 163 146 
          Containers 451 412 392 396 339 
          Liquid bulk 271 228 257 291 246 
          Solid grains 235 161 195 201 189 
          Sacked goods 206 186 169 151 121 
          Transit 101 77 18 17 9 
     Cabotage 712 664 660 829 842 
          Loaded 242 207 189 262 280 
          Unloaded 235 212 194 270 277 
          Liquid bulk 236 246 277 296 285 
Total container 584 544 468 482 444 
     Long-distance 554 510 455 461 400 
          Loaded 80 78 83 77 73 
          Unloaded 365 344 367 374 324 
          Decanting 10 4 4 9 2 
          Trans-shipment 99 85 1 1 0 
     Cabotage 30 34 13 21 44 
          Loaded 15 16 6 6 37 
          Unloaded 14 18 7 15 7 
          Transhipment 0 0 0 0 0 
  (No.) 
Total passengers 712,709  689,357  673,241  864,218 826,194  
Cabotage 689,698 670,942 655,798 838,490 789,215 
     Disembarked 334,739 329,222 324,834 411,976 386,613 
     Embarked 335,127 325,470 322,524 408,931 386,645 
     Transit 19,832 16,250 8,440 17,583 15,957 
Long-distance 23,011 18,415 17,443 25,728 36,979 
     Disembarked 82 7 13 508 574 
     Embarked 20 72 8 262 599 
     Transit 22,909 18,336 17,422 24,958 35,806 
Source: ENAPOR Stat online information. Viewed at: http://www.enapor.cv/portal/V10/EN/aspx/index.aspx . WT/TPR/S/322/Rev.1 • Cabo Verde 
 
- 89 - 
 
  Table A4.2 Tourism basic indicators, 2008-14 
 2008  2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Number of arrivals ('000) 285 287 336 428 482 503 494 
Receipts (€ million) 240 206 210 265 306 333 302 
     Receipts (% of total exports) 49.7 50.1 43.7 45.2 50.0 50.8 43.9 
     Receipts (% of GDP) 19.7 16.7 16.7 19.7 22.5 24.1 21.4 
Number of hotels 158 173 178 195 207 222 229 
Number of rooms 6,172 6,367 5,891 7,901 8,522 9,058 10,839 
Number of beds 11,420 11,720 11,397 14,076 14,999 15,995 18,188 
Accommodation capacity 13,708 14,098 13,862 17,025 18,194 19,428 23,171 
Service personnel 4,081 4,120 4,058 5,178 5,385 5,755 6,282 
Memo: Arrivals by major countries 
('000)        
EU 233 243 296 379 400 391 377 
     of which:         
          United Kingdom 52 57 72 90 115 95 97 
          France  21 23 43 67 70 74 62 
          Portugal  58 51 60 66 68 58 60 
          Germany  33 40 49 60 67 74 69 
United States 4 4 3 4 5 4 3 
Switzerland  3 2 2 6 4 4 5 
South Africa  0.2 0.2 0.2 3 0.3 1 0.4 
Source: Inventário Anual aos Estabelecimentos Hoteleiros 2012 Folha de Informação Rápida, Estatísticas do 
Turismo 2013 and 2014, Instituto Nacional de Estatística ; UN World Tourism Organization, Yearbook 
of Tourism Statistics Data 2008-2012, 2014 edition; World Bank, World Development Indicators. Viewed at: http://databank.worldbank.org/dat a/views/variableselection/selectvariables.aspx?source=world-
development-indicators ; and the information provided by the authorities. 
__________