Cape Verde lacks significant mineral resources. Mining’s contribution to the economy is marginal, although there is some extraction of salt, gypsum and the puzzolan (volcanic ash used in cement production). Instead, the country’s most important natural resources are fish and seafood.
Electricity is mainly extracted from hydropower and gas-fired power plants. The government supports investments in solar and wind power. The country must import all oil consumed. Much of the oil is re-exported at a higher price, mainly in the form of fuel for ships and aircraft visiting the country. Around 40 percent of the residents depend on firewood as fuel.
COUNTRYAAH: Major exports by Cape Verde with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
Cape Verde is in pain for drinking water. In order to remedy the shortage, seawater is desalinated in special facilities. Around nine out of ten cutting values have access to clean drinking water.
Growing tourism is a threat to Cape Verde’s marine environment. Both sea turtles and humpback whales live in the waters around the islands.
Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, CV stands for Cape Verde. Visit itypeusa for more information about Cape Verde.
FACTS – ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
214 kilos of oil equivalent (2007)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
491 thousand tons (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
0.9 tonnes (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
26.6 percent (2015)
2015
October
The Zika virus reaches Cape Verde.
Several cases of mosquito-borne viral disease Zika, which can cause brain damage in fetuses, are documented on the islands.
March April
Veto against wage increases
In April, President Fonseca vetoed the National Assembly’s decision to raise salaries for the country’s top politicians. Thus, the street protests are dying out.
Protests against increased politician salaries
Thousands of people are demonstrating outside the National Assembly in the capital Praia and demanding that President Fonseca veto. Wage increases stand out in the eyes of many cutting values as the country is in an economic crisis. Behind the protests lies a new protest movement, called MAC # 114 (see Political system). The protesters also criticize the government’s failed campaign to get Finance Minister Cristina Duarte elected as new head of the African Development Bank. PAICV leader and minister Janira Hopffer Almad participates in the protests and ends up in conflict with Prime Minister Neves.
High politicians receive large wage increases
The National Assembly unanimously decides to raise the salaries of the president, government ministers and MPs by 64 percent. The president would thus receive a monthly salary of nearly $ 2,700. The head of state’s salary had then been at the same level since 1997.
China donates several patrol boats
The vessels are equipped with modern technology and will be used by the Cape Verde Coast Guard to patrol the country’s vast waters in the fight against drug smugglers, among others.
