Overview

Advertising in both Portuguese and Cabo Verdean Creole (“Kriolu”) is recommended.  For sales targeting tourists and foreigners, English should also be used.  Operators seeking to break through in the national market should consider hiring a local marketing company.  Services, infrastructure, and business conditions vary greatly from island to island.

Trade Promotion and Advertising

Advertising in Cabo Verde is done mainly through radio, Facebook and other social media, newspapers, television, and billboards.  Due to extensive cell phone coverage, SMS is also commonly used.  There are annual trade fairs, such as the Cabo Verde International Fair and Expomar, which are good opportunities to disseminate information about goods and services.  The main newspapers (printed and digital), radio, and television outlets include:

• A Semana
• Expresso das Ilhas
• A Nacão
• Santiago Magazine
• Noticias do Norte
• Mindel Insite
• Inforpress
• Balai Cabo Verde
• National Television
• TV Record Cabo Verde
• National Radio
• Radio Cidade
• Radio Morabeza

Pricing

The market determines most prices, but the multisectoral regulator regulates prices of essential goods such as water, electricity, telecommunications, petroleum products, and basic foodstuffs.

The VAT is 15 percent, except for tourism-related activities and services, which are taxed at 10 percent.  There are exemptions for some basic products.

Sales Service/Customer Support

Local customer service support is below U.S. standards, and long waits and unresponsive service are common.  Although many businesses are computerized, consumers are highly advised to maintain their own records.

Local Professional Services

Business owners whose employees may need specific vocational training should contact the Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP), an employment and vocational institute present on most of the islands, well in advance of the business’s establishment to negotiate professional training and internships for employees prior to the business’s launch.

The IEFP can recommend labor with trade experience, including carpentry, plumbing, electricians, and construction.  Local companies can also provide professional help on a temporary or more permanent basis.  The Hotel and Tourism School (Escola de Hotelaria e Tourismo de Vabo Verde) can provide trained entry-level workers for the tourism and restaurant sectors.

Business owners can freely bring foreign employees to Cabo Verde if needed.

Principal Business Associations

Cabo Verde has two chambers of commerce and one chamber of tourism.  There are also entrepreneur associations for youth and women.  These associations accept the participation of foreign firms and normally advocate on behalf of private sector concerns with the government and advise the government on relevant topics.

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services

There is no limitation on selling U.S. products and services.