Highlights of the visit to Sal Island, Cabo Verde, by Harold Tavares, Executive Director:
- Meeting with H.E. Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde
- Meeting with H.E. Olavo Garcia Correia, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Digital Economy
- Executive Director, Harold Tavares: Moderator of Ministerial Roundtable on Challenges and Opportunities in Lusophone Markets.
The first Lusophone Africa Investment Forum, held on March 13th and 14th in the Island of Sal, Cabo Verde, reaffirmed the urgency of strengthening private sector engagement as a driver of sustainable economic transformation in the PALOP countries. The forum aimed to foster investment opportunities in the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOPs): Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In collaboration with the partners of the Lusophone Compact, this high-level event brought together key players from the private sector, as well as national and international investment-enabling institutions — such as Investment Promotion Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, and government representatives — to explore concrete investment opportunities and address key challenges in these markets.
With over 300 participants from the private and public sectors of all PALOP nations, the forum provided a unique platform to deepen partnerships in key sectors, such as energy, tourism, and agribusiness, promoting the existing business opportunities in these markets.
The conversations in Sal must now translate into concrete investments, stronger partnerships, and policy reforms that create a tangible impact. The Lusophone Ministers will meet on the sideline of the WBG/IMF Spring Meetings to discuss future forum and the way forward in collaboration with IFC.
The Executive Director, Mr. Harold Tavares, moderated a high-level ministerial panel discussion, where he engaged in a dynamic dialogue on the opportunities and challenges in Lusophone markets.
The conversation focused on economic diversification, regional integration, infrastructure investment, and improving the business climate. He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among Lusophone countries, including the establishment of the Lusophone Forum at the World Bank Group, a platform dedicated to fostering dialogue, investment, and strategic partnerships.
Bringing together leaders from government and the private sector, this forum reaffirmed the critical role of investment in fostering sustainable growth and the need for Lusophone economies to expand their presence in global trade and investment.
