The Government of Cape Verde has initiated a major urban resilience and infrastructure programme in São Vicente, allocating 3.5 million contos for enhanced sanitation, drainage and sewer systems in the island’s principal urban centre, Mindelo.
The plan was unveiled recently at the São Vicente Municipal Chamber in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, key ministers and municipal officials.
The multi-million-conto investment aims to address longstanding deficiencies in wastewater management and stormwater control, which have been aggravated by rapid urbanisation and increased development pressures, particularly following the damage caused by Tropical Storm Erin in August 2025. The storm resulted in significant infrastructure damage, including flooding, road collapses and disruption of services, prompting the government to declare a state of calamity and prioritise recovery efforts.
Under the programme, authorities plan to construct a new sewage outfall from Chã de Alecrim to Caizim and install a principal collector line to reduce strain on Mindelo’s existing sewer network. The scope of work also includes comprehensive improvements to drainage systems in flood-prone zones, rehabilitation of existing sewer and stormwater infrastructure, and targeted road re-asphalting on key thoroughfares such as Avenida Marginal and other critical routes.
Officials have emphasised that the project is designed not only to improve basic infrastructure but also to increase the city’s resilience against extreme weather events linked to climate variability. Victor Coutinho, Minister of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing, said the integrated measures to manage stormwater runoff and sewage overflows are vital to safeguarding lives, property and economic activity.
In addition to drainage and sewer works, the investment includes upgrades to the Caizim pumping station and systems to redirect stormwater runoff for potential reuse in green spaces, reflecting a broader sustainable and resource-efficient approach to urban infrastructure.
Priority interventions have been identified in areas such as Bela Vista, Avenida 5 de Julho and Praça Estrela, where existing infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with demographic and economic growth. The government’s plan also incorporates a torrent protection component involving the rehabilitation and desilting of embankments, as well as new structural works to reinforce key hydrographic basins.
The contract for the comprehensive works was signed by the national government, the São Vicente Municipal Council and key partners, including Infraestruturas de Cabo Verde (ICV), Estradas de Cabo Verde (ECV) and ENAPOR, reflecting a coordinated model of execution with national oversight and local participation.
Government leaders described the initiative as transformative for São Vicente’s development prospects, underlining its potential to enhance urban safety, strengthen infrastructure resilience and lay a foundation for sustainable economic growth in the coming years.
