A modernised port has been inaugurated on the island of Maio as part of a wider extension of port infrastructure across the Cabo Verde archipelago aimed at boosting its sustainable economic development.
This port infrastructure forms an integral part of one of the strategic transport corridors in Africa the EU envisages support.
The port will facilitate passenger and cargo transport along the strategic Praia–Dakar–Abidjan corridor and significantly increase the potential of the UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve island of Maio for environmentally friendly tourism and inclusive growth.
Representatives from the government of Cabo Verde, the European Union and the African Development Bank, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, the European Investment Bank and the German development bank KfW attended the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “The inauguration marks an important milestone in improving transport links to the beautiful island of Maio and its unique ecosystem. In line with Global Gateway, this strategic investment in port infrastructure and its accompanying Team Europe support to public services, including environmental conservation, enable the local community to better tap into their potential for green growth. Cabo Verde will be able to welcome increasing numbers of tourists while maintaining the highest environmental and social standards that are so necessary to ensure long-lasting benefits.”
Prime Minister of Cabo Verde Ulisses Correia e Silva said: “The inauguration fulfils Cabo Verde’s strategic vision and marks a new era for the island of Maio, bringing it closer to the other islands in Cabo Verde and to the rest of the world. This infrastructure will have an impact in boosting the island’s economy, attracting private investment, promoting mobility and employment, increasing income and improving conditions for a better future for our young people.”
The inauguration of the modern port in Maio gives a significant boost to the tourism potential of the island, marking a new era in its economic development.
Maio Island will benefit from better connectivity with Santiago, the largest island of Cabo Verde that hosts the capital city Praia, the other islands in the archipelago, airports, and international corridors.
The extension and upgrade of the port, whose rehabilitation began in 2019, is a key element of a 42 million euro project co-financed by the European Union (17 million euros), the African Development Bank (17.8 million euros) and the Cabo Verde Government (7.2 million euros), which also includes smaller works on the port on the island of Sal.
The EU and its member states including Luxembourg, Spain and Portugal further support inclusive green growth on Maio by investing in renewable energy and desalination plants.
The Maio Biosphere Reserve in Cabo Verde encompasses the entire island and marine zone.
There are six main components: Maio Island Natural Park, Cimi-dor Lagoon Natural Reserve, Praia do Morro Natural Reserve, Casas Velhas Natural Reserve, the Barreiro and Figueira Protected Landscape, and the Salt Pan of Porto Inglês.
The reserve is home to turtles, cetaceans, and fishes such as the lemon shark and tiger shark.
The island hosts more than 256 different kinds of animals, including three lizard species, while over 100 varieties of migratory birds visit the region.
