Cabo Verde's state has been struggling to address its historical mission of protecting a vulnerable society, but it has not been able to promote economic autonomy and production of wealth. The country's dependence on imports, tourism, and remittances has hindered its ability to develop a diversified industrial base. According to Rui Pereira, the state's original sin is that it was designed to administer scarcity, distribute resources, and protect society, but not to organize production and promote economic autonomy.
The roots of Cabo Verde's problems date back to its colonization and integration into Atlantic circuits subordinated to external interests. The transatlantic slave trade, intermediary economy, agricultural fragility, droughts, and famines have shaped the country's social formation. Emigration has been a response to the lack of economic opportunities for many families. Despite gaining sovereignty in 1975 and consolidating democracy in 1991, Cabo Verde still struggles with a lack of economic transformation.
The country's dependence on imports, tourism, and remittances has not been accompanied by a transformation of its productive base. Cabo Verde needs a smart industrial policy that promotes agro-food transformation, conservation and valorization of fish, naval repair, and industries related to water and energy. The country's insularity is a challenge, but it does not excuse the lack of strategy. Cabo Verde's geographic location in the Atlantic is an opportunity, but it needs to be accompanied by production, connectivity, and competitiveness.
The current state of Cabo Verde is characterized by a culture of dependence on the state, with many citizens relying on public employment, subsidies, and licenses for their livelihood. The state has become a guarantor of rights, but it also conditions individual destinies. The original sin of the state was not the need for protection, but the perpetuation of dependence without promoting production. A true state reform is needed to change the state's mission from managing scarcity to promoting prosperity.
A new state reform should prioritize education linked to the real economy, financing that favors value creation, and energy and water at sustainable costs. The country's ports and transportation systems need to be efficient, and companies should be evaluated based on productivity. Public policies should be judged based on qualified employment, exports, and added value. The diaspora should invest knowledge, not just send remittances.
The reform also requires a protected administration that is not subject to partisan appropriation. Governments should be accountable not only for the amounts distributed but also for the people who have gained autonomy, the companies that have become competitive, and the reserves that the country has built to face shocks. The lack of robust reserves, industrial capacity, and international competitiveness is not a geographic fatality, but the result of insufficient priorities and discontinuities.
Ultimately, Cabo Verde's success should be measured not by the number of citizens who depend on state protection but by its ability to protect the vulnerable while creating conditions for many others to become independent, productive, and free. The country's resilience should not only mean withstanding crises but also preparing for the next one. A change in the state's mission is necessary, rather than just a change in its organizational chart.
Key points
- Cabo Verde needs a smart industrial policy to promote economic transformation and reduce dependence on imports and external factors.
- The country's state reform should prioritize education, financing, and infrastructure to promote production and competitiveness.
- A protected administration and accountability are essential for a successful state reform in Cabo Verde.
