This week, in Khartoum (Sudan), the Government of Cabo Verde signed a financing agreement worth US$16 million, on a contractual basis, with the Arab Bank for Development in Africa (BADEA), for the project to stimulate and enhance three hydrographic basins on the islands of Santiago, Santo Antão and Boa Vista.
It should be noted that upon graduation to a middle-income country, Cabo Verde no longer has access to some credits with concessional terms, such as BADEA.
However, due to major negotiations between the current Cabo Verdean government and BADEA, an update of the credit conditions has been requested. The request had a positive response, giving importance to the dynamics that the country has had in the management of public debt and also in the new context in which we live.
BADEA had granted the financing for the project to upgrade watersheds on the islands of Santiago, Santo Antão and Boa Vista, which at the time was a non-concessional credit, in which the interest rate was higher and for a shorter grace period. This time, new concessional terms were approved, which Cabo Verde will have a maturity of 25 years, and a grace period of 5 years, at an interest rate of 1.5%.
All this demonstrates the #confidence of the creditors in the economic dynamics of Cabo Verde and contributes to the materialization of projects and consequently the development of the country.
Regarding the project to stimulate and enhance the watersheds of the Ribeira São João Baptista (Santiago Island), Ribeira Grande (Santo Antão) and Ribeira Calhau (Island of Boa Vista), the object of this financing agreement, it should be noted that its general objective is to contribute to the achievement of SDGs 1 and 2 related to poverty eradication, zero hunger, and strengthening of sustainable agriculture.
The agreement, worth around 1.6 billion escudos, was signed by the Ambassador of Cabo Verde to Italy, Jorge Figueiredo Gonçalves, on behalf of the Government, and by the Director General of BADEA, Sidi Ould Tah.