Cabo verde Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in cabo verde, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Selling Factors & Techniques
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Overview

Advertising in both Portuguese and Cabo Verdean Creole (“Kriolu”) is recommended.  For sales targeting tourists and foreigners, English should also be used.  Operators seeking to break through in the national market should consider hiring a local marketing company.  Services, infrastructure, and business conditions vary greatly from island to island.

Trade Promotion and Advertising

Advertising in Cabo Verde is done mainly through radio, Facebook and other social media, newspapers, television, and billboards.  Due to extensive cell phone coverage, SMS is also commonly used.  There are annual trade fairs, such as the Cabo Verde International Fair and Expomar, which are good opportunities to disseminate information about goods and services.  The main newspapers (printed and digital), radio, and television outlets include:

  • A Semana
  • Expresso das Ilhas
  • A Nacão
  • Santiago Magazine
  • Noticias do Norte
  • Mindel Insite
  • Inforpress
  • Balai Cabo Verde
  • National Television
  • TV Record Cabo Verde
  • National Radio
  • Radio Cidade
  • Radio Morabeza

Pricing

The market determines most prices, but the multisectoral regulator regulates prices of essential goods such as water, electricity, telecommunications, petroleum products, and basic foodstuffs.

The VAT is 15 percent, except for tourism-related activities and services, which are taxed at 10 percent.  There are exemptions for some basic products.

Sales Service/Customer Support

Local customer service support is below U.S. standards, and long waits and unresponsive service are common.  Although many businesses are computerized, consumers are highly advised to maintain their own records.

Local Professional Services

Business owners whose employees may need specific vocational training should contact the Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP), an employment and vocational institute present on most of the islands, well in advance of the business’s establishment to negotiate professional training and internships for employees prior to the business’s launch.

The IEFP can recommend labor with trade experience, including carpentry, plumbing, electricians, and construction.  Local companies can also provide professional help on a temporary or more permanent basis.  The Hotel and Tourism School (Escola de Hotelaria e Tourismo de Vabo Verde) can provide trained entry-level workers for the tourism and restaurant sectors.

Business owners can freely bring foreign employees to Cabo Verde if needed.

Principal Business Associations

Cabo Verde has two chambers of commerce and one chamber of tourism.  There are also entrepreneur associations for youth and women.  These associations accept the participation of foreign firms and normally advocate on behalf of private sector concerns with the government and advise the government on relevant topics.

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services

There is no limitation on selling U.S. products and services.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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