Cabo Verde is setting a precedent for electric mobility in West Africa, as highlighted in a recent feature by Deutschlandfunk (available in German). With only three out of ten households owning a private car, the country anticipates a rise in motorisation in the coming years. To ensure this growth is sustainable, the government has made the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) a key strategy in reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, aiming for 100% renewables by 2040.
The GIZ implemented Cabo Verde – Electric Vehicles project (Promotion of Electric Mobility in Cabo Verde, ProMEC), funded by the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF), is supporting the national government in achieving these ambitious targets. ProMEC is facilitating the expansion of electric vehicles (EV) adoption by supporting the development and implementation of national strategies for electric mobility.
To make EVs more accessible, the project has established an Electric Mobility Facility (EMF), which offers financial incentives to individuals, businesses, and institutions purchasing EVs. This has already started to generate a strong demonstration effect, paving the way for continued EV market growth. Although so far only 7 out of 55 private EV charging stations have been installed due to complicated government approval procedures, the project has facilitated the installation of a network of 30 out of 40 commercial charging stations This network of charging stations serves the growing share of electric vehicles in Cabo Verde. The percentage of privately owned Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) registered in Cabo Verde that are electric has reached 8.2%, exceeding the project target of 4.3%. Moreover, 8% of vehicles newly purchased by State central unit are electric reflecting a strong government commitment and that e-mobility remains high on the political agenda.
Alongside financial support, the project also contributes to the development of legal and regulatory frameworks, awareness-raising initiatives, and training programs for local mechanics. The project is expected to directly mitigate 19,890 tCO2, with a total mitigation potential of 401,000 tCO2 over the lifetime of the technology.
With these measures, Cabo Verde is not only accelerating its transition to sustainable transport but also positioning itself as a model for electric mobility transformation in West Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Read more about the project here: Cabo Verde Electric Vehicles