Cabo Verde held its national conference on the First National Data Strategy focused on AI in April 2025 under the theme “Building the Digital Future: Challenges and Opportunities for the First National Data Strategy in Cape Verde, in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The conference established a framework for AI ethics and data governance. Cabo Verde’s broader Digital Transformation Strategy targets digital economy contribution of 25% of GDP by 2030 and 60% public service digitisation by 2026. Data protection is governed by the Comissão Nacional de Protecção de Dados (CNPD) under an updated Data Protection Act. Cabo Verde has also signed the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection.
Who it affects: Government agencies and private sector organisations operating in Cabo Verde are the primary target of the data governance framework. The digital transformation agenda affects public service delivery for all citizens. The AI ethics framework is intended to guide public and private AI use.
What is notably missing: Cabo Verde has no dedicated national AI law and no regulatory body with enforcement powers over AI systems. The National Data Strategy is a strategic document rather than binding legislation. The AI ethics framework has been launched but not codified into law. No AI literacy curriculum for schools, no mandatory workforce training programme, and no civil servant AI training standard have been identified.