Work & Business Guide · Cape VerdeWork & Business Guide in Cape Verde
Job market, business opportunities, and work permits for expats
Employment Rate
86.4%High labor force participation with 245,779 workers (2022). Services sector dominates employment at 66.9%, followed by industry (22.2%) and agriculture (11%). Unemployment at 13.6% reflects structural challenges. Tourism and construction sectors driving job creation with 7.2% GDP growth in 2024.
Startup Ecosystem
55.0%Emerging ecosystem with government support for priority sectors: tourism, ICT, and renewable energy. Tax incentives and investment promotion available. Limited VC funding but growing interest from diaspora investors. Challenges include small market size, limited access to credit, and infrastructure constraints. Entrepreneurial culture developing, particularly in services and digital sectors.
Average Salary Range
CVE 150,000 - CVE 350,000 annually
Average salaries range 150,000–350,000 CVE annually (€1,350–€3,150 USD equivalent). Tourism and transport sectors offer higher compensation (200,000–400,000 CVE). Public sector salaries competitive. Cost of living moderate; food imports increase expenses. Purchasing power varies significantly by island and sector.
Work Visa Requirements
EU citizens require a valid passport. Visa-free entry for stays up to 30 days for tourism. Work permits required for employment; typically processed through employer sponsorship within 2–4 weeks.
Tourist visa (30 days) available on arrival or pre-application. Work visa requires employer sponsorship, job offer letter, and police clearance. Processing time 3–6 weeks. Investor visa available for business owners meeting capital requirements. Residence permits renewable annually.
Cape Verde welcomes foreign workers and investors with relatively accessible visa processes. EU citizens have simplified entry; non-EU citizens need employer sponsorship for work. Government actively promotes skilled worker recruitment in tourism, ICT, and renewable energy sectors. Digital nomad framework emerging but not yet formalized.
Business Registration
2-4 weeks
Business registration conducted through National Registry of Commerce (Conservatória do Registo Comercial). No mandatory minimum capital requirement. Common structures: Unipessoal (sole proprietor), Sociedade por Quotas (LLC equivalent). Online registration available for some procedures. Registration fees approximately 15,000–25,000 CVE. Ease of Doing Business improving; government streamlining processes to attract investment.
Remote Work Policies
Remote work permitted under standard employment contracts. No specific remote work legislation; governed by general labor law. Employers increasingly accepting remote arrangements, particularly in ICT and tourism services sectors.
Growing acceptance of remote work post-pandemic, especially in service and digital sectors. Co-working spaces emerging in Praia and other urban centers. Digital nomad opportunities available in tourism, translation, and ICT services. Work-from-home culture developing among international companies and diaspora-led businesses. Internet infrastructure improving but varies by island.
Key Industries
Job Opportunities by Sector
Highest growth sector (25% GDP, 39% employment). Hotel management, tour guides, restaurant staff, event coordinators in high demand. Tourist arrivals reached 1.18M in 2024 (+16.5% YoY). Salaries: 180,000–400,000 CVE. Multilingual skills (Portuguese, English, French) highly valued.
Major export sector with significant employment. Fish processing technicians, vessel crew, quality control specialists needed. Tuna and mackerel primary exports. Salaries: 160,000–320,000 CVE. Opportunities in both artisanal and industrial fishing.
9.3% GDP contribution with 11.2% employment. Infrastructure projects, hotel development, residential construction driving demand. Project managers, engineers, skilled tradespeople sought. Salaries: 200,000–380,000 CVE. Growth projected through 2025 with public investment expansion.
Emerging high-growth sector with government incentives. Software developers, IT support, digital marketing specialists in demand. Diaspora-led companies and international firms hiring remotely. Salaries: 220,000–450,000 CVE. Digital transformation initiatives creating opportunities.
13% GDP contribution. Port operations, shipping, cargo handling, logistics management positions available. Strategic Atlantic location drives maritime activity. Salaries: 190,000–360,000 CVE. Growth in regional trade and tourism logistics.
Government priority sector with investment incentives. Wind and solar project developers, engineers, technicians needed. Emerging opportunities in sustainable tourism infrastructure. Salaries: 240,000–420,000 CVE. Long-term growth potential with climate adaptation focus.
English teachers and international education specialists in demand. International schools, language institutes, and tourism training programs hiring. TEFL certification valued. Salaries: 170,000–300,000 CVE. Opportunities in skills development for tourism sector.
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