Cabo Verde officially unveiled its 'TechPark CV' this week as the island nation seeks to become a hub for digital services. The project, which is supported by a 45.59m 50m investment from the African Development Bank, aims to create up to 1,500 jobs on the island of Santiago and at a smaller campus on So Vicente.
In interview with African Business , Pedro Lopes, Cabo Verde's secretary of state for the digital economy, described TechPark CV as the "cornerstone" of the country's digital transformation strategy. The park includes a data centre in Santiago, along with training and conference facilities and an 'incubation centre' designed to support start-up businesses.
"Its role is to foster innovation, attract investment and support local start-ups and create high value jobs, especially for our youth," says Lopes. He adds that the government is looking to reduce its dependence on tourism and "position Cabo Verde as a competitive player in the digital economy."
Cabo Verde is not a necessarily an obvious location for a regional tech hub. The country comprises 10 islands lying around 600km off the West African mainland, and boasts a population of little more than 500,000.
But Lopes insists the country's island location and small size can work to its advantage.