“Technical details of Phase 1-B: Learn how the infrastructure of each island will be transformed”
With the official announcement of Phase 1-B of the investment plan for VINCI Airports in Cape Verde, the portal caboverde24.info has decided to provide detailed information on the exact destination of this amount. After an initial phase of €80 million, the concessionaire has now committed to a further 142 million euros over the next three years, with a view to transforming operational efficiency and safety throughout the archipelago.
This investment comes at a time when the country is experiencing robust growth in passenger traffic, requiring infrastructure that meets international standards of quality and sustainability.
Who is VINCI Airports?
A VINCI Airports is the world's largest private airport operator, managing more than 70 airports in 14 countries. In Cape Verde, the company took over the management of the national airports in 2023, under a 40-year concession contract. Its mission focuses on technological modernization, improving the passenger experience, and an environmental commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across its global network by 2050.
Details of interventions by airport
Below, we detail how the €142 million will be allocated to each airport unit, in accordance with the concessionaire's strategic plan:
1. Boa Vista Airport (Aristides Pereira)
Although it is the center of attention, the investments here are part of a strategy to strengthen cargo and security:
- Runway extension: Physical extension of the runway to allow larger aircraft to operate without weight restrictions.
- Lighting: Installation of modern systems to facilitate landings and takeoffs, increasing operational safety.
- Cargo terminal: Modernization of structures for the management and processing of goods.
2. São Vicente Airport (Cesária Évora)
It is one of the focal points for the development of tourism and international connectivity in the north:
- Nighttime operations: Investment in runway lighting systems to enable night flights, which were previously limited.
- Terminal expansion: Expansion of departure areas to handle a greater flow of international passengers.
3. Fogo Airport (São Filipe)
A crucial investment for integrating the island into the national tourist circuit:
- Runway lighting: The focus is on enabling night flights, which is essential for making schedules more flexible and less dependent on sunlight.
- Terminal modernization: Improvements to passenger services and aesthetic renovation.
4. Sal and Praia Airports (Amílcar Cabral and Nelson Mandela)
Given their nature as hubs, investment here is mainly directed toward technology and sustainability:
- Digitization: Implementation of biometric systems and self-service check-in to speed up border procedures.
- Green energy: New solar parks (part of the $47 million fund for energy transition) to make layovers energy independent.
5. Other Ports of Call (Maio and São Nicolau)
- Sustainability: Construction of modern wastewater and waste treatment plants to standardize environmental standards across the VINCI network.
The new Santo Antão airport and the partnership with VINCI
A key point in this new investment cycle is the clarification of VINCI Airports' role in the future Santo Antão Airport. Recently, the Cape Verdean government and the multinational company strengthened their strategic partnership through new protocols that expand the scope of the original concession:
- Technical support in design: VINCI is already acting as a technical consultant in refining the Santo Antão project, ensuring international standards from the outset.
- Integration into the global network: Once construction by the State is complete, VINCI will take over full management, integrating the island into its international routes.
- Incremental investment: Part of the $142 million will be channeled into the technological systems needed to connect the future airport to the national network.
Summary and future prospects
In short, this new €142 million package represents a qualitative leap forward for Cape Verde. By focusing on eliminating historical bottlenecks—such as night flight restrictions in Fogo and São Vicente or runway capacity in Boa Vista—VINCI Airports is preparing the country for a new era of connectivity. The vision is for a fully integrated airport system, where environmental sustainability and digitalization go hand in hand, consolidating the archipelago as a leading hub in the Atlantic and ensuring that tourism growth benefits all islands equally.
Caboverde24.info
Source: Government of Cape Verde / VINCI Airports
