The NAMA Supported Project (NSP) “Promotion of Electric Mobility in Cabo Verde (ProMEC)”, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Energy (MICE) of Cabo Verde, organised a public event in Praia, Cabo Verde’s capital and largest city, to officially recognize the first beneficiaries of the rebate system that has been in place since 01 June, 2022, to facilitate the acquisition of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The event took place on 28 June with 50 participants, including representatives from government organisations, private companies and car dealers.
The Government of Cabo Verde (GovCV) was represented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Energy, Mr. Alexandre Monteiro, whilst the Director of the Regional Office of GIZ in Dakar, Ms. Ulrike Ebeling, represented the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ). Mr. Monteiro took the opportunity to reiterate the country’s commitment to electric mobility as part of the National Plan for Sustainable Development, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the country regarding the spike in oil prices. Ms. Ebeling expressed GIZ’s commitment to support the implementation of the NAMA Facility funded project with an amount of EUR 7.1 million.
The rebate mechanism, which was launched on 01 June, is a significant component of ProMEC and will provide subsidies for individuals, private companies and public institutions who wish to acquire electric vehicles, subject to eligibility criteria defined by the national government. The mechanism includes special incentives for urban (taxis) and interurban operators (minibuses). The two initial beneficiaries of the rebate, an individual from the municipality of São Domingos and a private company headquartered in Praia, were honoured during the event and received their car keys from Mr. Monteiro and Ms. Ebeling.
The event also offered an opportunity for the future platform which will allow applications for the rebates to be publicly presented. The platform will allow all applications, which are currently received by email, to be submitted and managed in a one-stop-shop.
Mr. Rito Évora, the National Director for Industry, Commerce and Energy, took the opportunity to announce the launch of a Request for Expression of Interest (REI) regarding the selection of a concessionaire for the installation and operation of at least 40 charging stations in Cabo Verde. The REI was published on 28 June and is regarded as a fundamental milestone towards the establishment of the National Charging Infrastructure (INC), one of the targets highlighted by the government of Cabo Verde in its Carta para a Mobilidade Eléctrica (Policy Letter for Electric Mobility). The INC will serve to curb driver anxiety and provide additional security regarding the possibility of driving electric everywhere across the country. The REI is available on the Portal de Energia website.
For further information regarding this project, visit its official website (available only in Portuguese).