The NAMA Support Project (NSP) “Promotion of Electric Mobility in Cabo Verde (ProMEC)” funded by the NAMA Facility, was present during the 2022 edition of the Cabo Verde International Trade Fair (FIC) organised by FIC S.A., which took place from 16 to 19 November 2022 in Mindelo, São Vicente island, Cabo Verde.
Since its inception, FIC’s flagship event held the format of an annual multi-sectoral trade fair , bringing together exhibitors from various markets and across sectors of economic activity in an environment that facilitates business-to-business relationships. Business, furthermore, can demonstrate their products and services to the public. Widely recognised as the most important business/commercial event held in the country, FIC intends to attract investment to Cabo Verde. The trade fair also aims to attract significant numbers of visitors, both residents and non-residents.
For this year’s event’s, the 25th so far, 150 organisations (public and private, national and international) took part, showcased through 200 stands which received approximately 10,000 visitors throughout the four days of the event.
ProMEC’s stand allowed the NSP to showcase its purpose and major components, while engaging in productive exchanges with the numerous visitors. It was particularly critical for the NSP to disseminate information on activities such as the rebate program for the purchase of electric vehicles in São Vicente, the second most important market in the country. Visitors were invited to watch a short 3-minute video depicting the test drive of an electric vehicle, first aired during the trade fair. The video reveal, alongside the launch of an official Facebook page for the project, marks the beginning of the NSP’s awareness-raising campaign. The video includes relevant information on electric vehicles (EVs), and economic and environmental advantages and aims at demystifying preconceived notions about EVs. Additionally, interested visitors were invited to enjoy “electric rides” offered by the NSP, which consisted of short rides on a scenic route for those who wanted the first-time experience of riding on an EV.
The stand was visited, among others, by the Prime Minister (PM) of Cabo Verde, Mr. Ulisses Correia e Silva, who was accompanied by several governmental staff. PM Correia e Silva, who attended FIC’s opening ceremony, highlighted the project’s importance in changing the mobility paradigm in Cabo Verde. The President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, Mr. José Maria Neves, also visited the stand on the third day of the trade fair and briefly exchanged with the NSP team. GIZ Country Director, Ms. Ulrike Ebeling, joined the project team in São Vicente and visited the stand during the first day of the event.
The NSP participation at the trade fair was also used as an opportunity to capitalise on the presence of several relevant stakeholders for the signature of two tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), related to the promotion of capacity development of professionals for the electric mobility ecosystem in Cabo Verde, namely car mechanics and installers of charging stations. Training of trainers will be conducted to ensure the sustainability and replicability of the capacity development activities at the vocational training institutions. The first MoU was signed between the National Directorate of Industry, Trade and Energy of Cabo Verde (DNICE), GIZ and the Cabo Verde Employment and Vocational Training Institute (IEFP), while the second MoU was signed between DNICE, GIZ and the Centre for Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance (CERMI). The public ceremony for the signature of the MoU took place on 17 November in Mindelo, São Vicente, with participation of the PM, the GIZ Country Director and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Energy, Mr. Alexandre Monteiro.
While in São Vicente, the NSP also engaged in productive discussions with Transcor, the main urban public transport operator based in the island and one of two operators nationally that are part of the pilot electric buses project. Transcor reiterated their commitment towards the implementation of the project through its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Luís Gonzaga.
As FIC came to an end, ProMEC’s fruitful participation allowed it to increase the outreach of its activities and to consolidate its foundations. It is expected that the NSP will participate, in 2023, at the next edition of the trade fair, whose specific focus will be on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and will be organised by FIC, S.A. in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Energy. This will be another opportunity to showcase outputs of the NSP and possible synergy with other projects.
For further information regarding this project, please visit its official website (available only in Portuguese): https://www.portalenergia.cv/promec