AGP Executive Report

Housing & Planning in São Domingos: Cabo Verde’s São Domingos is strengthening technical support for low-income families, helping residents improve and extend homes with safer design, budgeting and small upgrades. CAF Strategy Conference in Sal: Arsène Wenger will lead a panel on Africa’s FIFA World Cup 2026 run at the CAF Strategy Conference in Sal (Oct 7–9), with Cabo Verde’s Bubista and other top coaches. Climate Diplomacy in Fiji: A pre-COP meeting in Fiji is drawing few leaders from outside the Pacific, though Cabo Verde is among the confirmed outside attendees—highlighting pressure to keep Pacific climate risks on the global agenda. IMF on LDC Graduation: The IMF says Cabo Verde’s LDC graduation offers useful lessons for small, shock-exposed economies, while warning against assuming graduation alone drives future growth. Child Sexual Violence Response: Cabo Verde’s Minister Adélsia Almeida says the country must not “normalize” sexual violence against children and adolescents, calling for faster, coordinated action and addressing pending cases. Digital Connectivity Deal: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom plan a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo to boost resilience and reduce reliance on northern hubs. ECOWAS Youth Observers: ECOWAS will add youth observers to election monitoring, including Cabo Verde’s November vote and The Gambia’s December polls, with Nigeria’s 2027 elections next. US Visa Bond Rule: The US expanded a visa-bond programme for B1/B2 tourist and business visas, with Cabo Verde appearing in some international benefit lists and the broader rule affecting citizens of 50 countries.

Sports Diplomacy: Cabo Verde hosted CAVB’s Congress in Sal, where Nigeria’s Habu Gumel and Gambia’s volleyball federation were honoured for long-running contributions to African volleyball. ECOWAS & Elections: ECOWAS says it will add youth observers to election monitoring, with the plan set for Cabo Verde’s November vote and The Gambia’s December polls before extending to Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Football Calendar: CAF confirmed the 2026 Awards in Lagos on 7 December and approved major changes to interclub rules and the 2026–2030 competitions calendar. World Cup Insights: FIFA published its post-World Cup 2026 technical report, highlighting counter-pressing and evolving goalkeeper roles, and noting Cabo Verde as an example of compact defending and proactive goalkeeping. Digital Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed an LOI to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, aiming for more direct routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Child Protection: Cabo Verde’s Family Minister warned the country cannot “normalize” sexual violence against children, citing hundreds of new cases annually and pending cases in the public prosecution system.

ECOWAS Election Watch: ECOWAS says it will add youth observers to its traditional monitoring for Nigeria’s 2027 elections, after pilots in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin, and it plans to roll the same approach in Cabo Verde’s November vote and The Gambia’s December polls. CAF Football Governance: CAF approved major changes to its interclub competitions, including more flexibility on player registration and squad management, plus a streamlined disciplinary process. World Cup Development Panel in Cabo Verde: Arsène Wenger will lead a CAF strategy conference panel in Cabo Verde (Oct 7–9) on Africa’s 2026 World Cup performance, joined by coaches including Cabo Verde’s Bubista. Child Protection Push: Cabo Verde’s Family Minister says the country must not “normalize” sexual violence against children and adolescents, citing 600+ new cases yearly and about half involving minors. Digital Connectivity for the South Atlantic: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed an LOI to explore a new Lisbon–São Paulo interconnection corridor, aiming for more direct routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Housing Support in São Domingos: A report highlights how Cabo Verde’s São Domingos municipality provides technical help to low-income families improving and extending homes.

CAF Football Governance: CAF approved major changes to interclub competitions, including allowing players to represent more than one club in the same season, raising squad flexibility to 40 registered players, and streamlining discipline by sending interclub disciplinary cases to the Disciplinary Board; CAF also confirmed the 2026–2030 competitions calendar. Regional Diplomacy: Ethiopia and Eritrea escalated tensions, with Ethiopia closing its embassy in Eritrea and declaring Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, while Eritrea responded by breaking diplomatic ties. US Travel Policy: The US State Department expanded a visa bond programme for B1/B2 visitor visas, requiring eligible applicants from 50 countries to post bonds up to $20,000; Cabo Verde is among the listed countries, while Kenya is not. Cabo Verde on the International Stage (Sports): CAF’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde (Oct 7–9) will feature Arsène Wenger and coaches including Cabo Verde’s Bubista, focusing on Africa’s record World Cup 2026 run. Digital Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed a Letter of Intent to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, aiming to improve resilience and reduce reliance on northern hubs. Child Protection: Cabo Verde’s Minister Adélsia Almeida said the country cannot “normalize” sexual violence against children and adolescents, calling for faster, coordinated action and highlighting pending cases. Education & Language: Cabo Verde PM Francisco Carvalho backed a Kriolu dual-language programme at Dorchester’s Lilla Frederick School, calling it a historic step for teaching the Cape Verdean language. Housing Support: A São Domingos initiative highlights municipal technical assistance to families improving homes, tackling structural problems caused by incremental self-building.

Visa Rules: The US rolled out a visa bond programme for citizens of 50 countries, requiring deposits of $10,000–$20,000 for B1/B2 tourist and business visas; India is exempt, while several South Asian countries are included. Sports & World Cup Legacy: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup technical report spotlights counter-pressing and tactical flexibility, and notes Cabo Verde’s compact defending and proactive goalkeeping as a model for competing with stronger sides. Football Qualifiers: Cabo Verde hosts Rwanda in AFCON 2027 qualifying after a tough start, with the Blue Sharks aiming to bounce back in Cidade da Praia. Connectivity for Growth: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed a Letter of Intent to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, boosting routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Child Protection: Cabo Verde’s Family Minister warned the country cannot “normalize” sexual violence against children, citing 600+ new cases yearly and about half involving minors. Climate Preparedness: Cabo Verde validated its Early Warnings for All roadmap after Tropical Storm Gonzalo, pushing better monitoring, warnings and response.

Child Protection Push: Cabo Verde’s Minister of Family, Inclusion, Development Social and Work says the country “cannot normalize” sexual violence against children and warned that over 600 new cases are recorded yearly, with about half involving minors, urging faster, coordinated action and noting more than 1,000 pending cases at the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Digital Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom (CVTelecom) signed a Letter of Intent to explore a new South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon to São Paulo, aiming for more direct data routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Climate Preparedness: Cabo Verde validated its Early Warnings for All roadmap after Tropical Storm Gonzalo, stressing a multi-hazard approach that connects monitoring, warnings and response. Education & Language: Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho joined a launch of the Kriolu dual language program at Lilla Frederick School in Dorchester, calling it a historic step for teaching the Cape Verdean language. Sports Spotlight: Cabo Verde hosts Rwanda in AFCON 2027 qualifiers, after a tough start against Mali. Visa Rules Abroad: Germany published Schengen visa fee-waiver categories, including four family categories eligible for full fee exemptions. World Cup Fame: Goalkeeper Vozinha says his celebrity has cost him privacy and peace, preferring his life before fame.

Child Protection Push: Cabo Verde’s Family and Social Affairs minister Adélsia Almeida said the country “cannot normalize” sexual violence against children and teens, citing 600+ new cases yearly and about half involving minors, and urged faster, coordinated action to clear a backlog of over 1,000 pending cases. Digital Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed a Letter of Intent to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, aiming for more direct data routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Storm Aftermath & Preparedness: Cabo Verde validated its Early Warnings for All roadmap after Tropical Storm Gonzalo, highlighting better links between monitoring, warnings and response as the storm damaged coastal areas and caused flooding. Language & Schools: Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho backed a Kriolu dual-language program at Dorchester’s Lilla Frederick School, calling it a historic step for teaching Cape Verdean language. Housing Support: In São Domingos, municipal technical assistance helps low-income families with home design and small upgrades, tackling problems from self-built expansions. Sports Spotlight: Cabo Verde hosts Rwanda in AFCON 2027 qualifiers after a tough start, with the match set for Cidade da Praia.

Child Protection: Cabo Verde’s Family and Social Affairs minister Adélsia Almeida warned the country cannot “normalize” sexual violence against children and teens, citing over 600 new cases yearly and about half involving minors, plus more than 1,000 pending cases at the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Digital Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed a Letter of Intent to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, aiming for more direct routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Climate & Disaster Readiness: Cabo Verde validated its “Early Warnings for All” roadmap after Tropical Storm Gonzalo, stressing faster, coordinated action from monitoring to preparedness. Tropical Weather: Gonzalo brought strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and power outages across Cabo Verde before weakening and moving away. Education & Language: Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho backed the Kriolu dual-language initiative launched at Lilla Frederick School in Dorchester. Sports: Cabo Verde hosted Rwanda in AFCON 2027 qualifying, with the match framed as a key chance after an earlier setback. World Cup Fame: Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says his celebrity has cost him privacy and peace, preferring life before fame.

Education & Language Policy: Cabo Verde PM Francisco Carvalho visited Dorchester’s Lilla Frederick Elementary School to back the new Kriolu dual-language programme, calling it a historic step for teaching the Cape Verdean language in schools. Connectivity & Economy: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom (CVTelecom) signed a Letter of Intent to explore a South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon and São Paulo, aiming for faster, more resilient data routes for Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Disaster Preparedness: Cabo Verde validated its “Early Warnings for All” roadmap after Tropical Storm Gonzalo, highlighting lessons from heavy rain, coastal damage and the need to strengthen the chain from monitoring to action. Sports: Cabo Verde hosts Rwanda in AFCON 2027 qualifying, with the Blue Sharks looking to bounce back after a tough start in the group. World Cup Fame: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says his fame has cost him privacy and peace, preferring his life before global attention. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted an agenda to tackle West Africa’s water crisis, with Cabo Verde set to host a next forum. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Gonzalo weakened and moved away from the islands, while other Atlantic systems remain under monitoring.

Education & Language Policy: Cabo Verde PM Francisco Carvalho joined Boston Public Schools and Cape Verdean leaders to celebrate the launch of the Kriolu dual-language program at Lilla Frederick Elementary in Dorchester, calling it a historic step for teaching the language in schools. Social Security & Mobility: The US Social Security Administration published its Country List 4, naming Cabo Verde among 55 countries whose citizens can keep receiving benefits after more than six months abroad. Sports—AFCON Qualifiers: Cabo Verde hosts Rwanda in a key 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after a 1-3 loss to Mali, with the match set for Cidade da Praia. Connectivity—South Atlantic Link: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom signed a letter of intent to explore a new Lisbon–São Paulo interconnection corridor, aiming to cut reliance on Northern Europe/US hubs. Weather—Gonzalo Aftermath: Tropical Storm Gonzalo brought gusts, heavy rain, outages and flooding to Cabo Verde before weakening and moving away. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a West Africa water crisis action agenda, with Cabo Verde set to host the next forum.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Cabo Verde kick off Matchday 2 at home against Rwanda (Cidade da Praia, 15:00), aiming to bounce back after a 1-3 loss to Mali; the squad is focused on implementing the new coach’s ideas and keeping structure and aggression. South Atlantic Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom (CVTelecom) signed a Letter of Intent to explore a new Lisbon–São Paulo interconnection corridor, designed to cut reliance on Northern Europe/North America hubs and improve resilience for networks across Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Tropical Weather: Tropical Storm Gonzalo battered the Cabo Verde islands with gusts, heavy rain, outages and flooding, with fallen trees and a reported missing person; it later weakened and moved away as advisories confirmed it was no longer a tropical cyclone. World Cup Fame: Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says his life changed “VERY NEGATIVELY,” saying he’s lost peace and privacy since becoming a viral World Cup star. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a regional action agenda on West Africa’s water crisis, with Cabo Verde set to host the next forum.

South Atlantic Connectivity: DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom (CVTelecom) signed a Letter of Intent to explore a new Lisbon–São Paulo interconnection corridor, aiming to cut reliance on Northern Europe/North America hubs and improve resilience for networks across Southern Europe, West Africa and Latin America. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted the Abidjan Declaration at the West Africa Regional Water Forum, with Cabo Verde named to host the next edition—pushing stronger shared river management and climate-resilient water governance. Climate Skills-to-Jobs Model: A report highlights how Cabo Verde’s Employment Promotion and Training Fund (FPEF) links training financing to employer co-funding and tracks employment outcomes, with reported employment rates reaching above 89% for initial training. World Cup Fame Backlash: Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says his life changed “VERY NEGATIVELY,” losing privacy and peace since his 2026 World Cup breakthrough. Tropical Weather Update: Tropical Storm Gonzalo has weakened after bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the Cabo Verde islands, with impacts including flooding, outages and a reported missing person.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo: The storm brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the Cabo Verde islands, with fallen trees, power outages, urban flooding, and reports of fishing vessels lost at sea; it has since weakened and moved away, with authorities tracking its final impacts. World Cup fame and mental health: Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha says his life changed “VERY NEGATIVELY” after 2026 World Cup stardom—he’s lost peace and privacy, faces constant requests for photos/autographs, and says he’d choose his pre-fame life if given the option. Jobs and training model: A report highlights Cabo Verde’s Employment Promotion and Training Fund (FPEF) as a rare case where training is tied to employer co-financing and follow-up employment tracking, with strong reported job outcomes. Regional water push: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a regional action plan to tackle West Africa’s water crisis, with Cabo Verde set to host the next forum. Diplomacy: Serbia and Cabo Verde signed an agreement to exempt visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports.

Jobs & Skills: Cabo Verde’s Employment Promotion and Training Fund (FPEF) is turning training into real work by using competitive grants, employer co-financing, and follow-up tracking—benefiting 24,903 people since 2012, with women at 55% and reported employment rates above 89% for initial training. Diplomacy & Mobility: Serbia’s foreign minister Marko Đurić met Cabo Verde’s Manuel Lima Amante da Rosa at the UN and they signed a deal to mutually exempt visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a regional action plan after the Abidjan water forum, with Cabo Verde set to host the next edition—aiming to strengthen shared river management and climate resilience. UN Climate Calls: At the UN General Assembly, Cabo Verde’s PM stressed that the climate crisis is already hitting small island states, alongside wider calls for cooperation on water and ocean governance. Storm Watch for Cabo Verde: Tropical Storm Gonzalo has been lashing the islands with strong winds and heavy rain, including urban flooding in Santa Maria (Sal), while forecasts point to weakening as it moves away.

Cabo Verde Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Gonzalo has been lashing the Cabo Verde islands with strong winds and heavy rain, including reports of urban flooding on Sal, while the U.S. National Hurricane Center says it has weakened into a post-tropical cyclone and is expected to dissipate over the open Atlantic soon. Diplomatic Moves: Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Đurić met Cabo Verde’s Manuel Augusto Lima Amante da Rosa at the UN General Assembly and the two signed an agreement to exempt visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports, aiming to boost direct contacts and economic cooperation. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted a shared agenda at the West Africa Regional Water Forum, with Cabo Verde set to host the next edition, as countries push stronger cross-border water governance to tackle climate stress and insecurity. UN Climate & Oceans: At the UN General Debate, Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister warned that the climate crisis is already hitting small island states, while speakers urged stronger ocean governance and cooperation. Weather for Cabo Verde: With Gonzalo weakening but still affecting the islands, residents are urged to follow local civil protection alerts as conditions improve.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo in Cabo Verde: Gonzalo has been lashing the islands with strong winds and heavy rain, triggering urban flooding in Santa Maria (Sal), tree falls, power cuts and dangerous sea conditions; authorities warned of a significant worsening of sea state and wind impacts, with waves reported up to 6 metres in some areas. Storm status update: The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Gonzalo has weakened into a post-tropical cyclone and is moving north of Sal, with further weakening expected as it heads into the open Atlantic. Atlantic tropics watch: Tropical Depression Fay remains out at sea and is expected to weaken into a remnant low, while forecasters continue monitoring a separate area southeast of Bermuda. UN General Debate on regional issues: UN speakers, including Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho, pushed cooperation on shared challenges, with strong focus on water and the climate crisis hitting small island states now. ECOWAS climate warning: West African parliamentarians warned that shrinking land and water are fueling farmer-herder conflicts, displacement and deeper poverty, calling for swift coordinated action. Local environment in Soyo: An environmentalist says waste management in Soyo needs an integrated system—collection, transport, sorting and safe final disposal—and warns against burning plastic due to toxic gases.