Praia, Dec. 26, 2025 (Lusa) - The Cabo Verdean Prime Minister has highlighted the positive results achieved by the country this year and announced social measures for 2026, including an increase in the minimum wage and social pension, the latter to come into effect as early as January.
"In this year that is about to end, we have proven to the world that when Cabo Verde believes, it can achieve," said Ulisses Correia e Silva in his traditional Christmas message, highlighting that the archipelago has been classified as an Upper Middle Income country and ranked as the second most stable in Africa.
The head of government also stressed that, for the first time, the country is participating in the World Cup and that the economy has recovered, recording robust growth.
"It is this positive Cabo Verde that I want to share with you, which has faced “serious crises”, overcome them and continues to move forward with confidence," he said.
Ulisses Correia e Silva pointed out that the unemployment rate has reached its "lowest level ever" and that the country is on track to eliminate extreme poverty by 2026.
"To move forward, we must all pull in the same direction, ensuring more economic growth, reducing unemployment and poverty, and protecting democracy, stability and good governance," he added.
By 2026, the Government will move forward with setting the national minimum wage at 25,000 escudos (€226.73), to be applied in 2027, and increase the social pension for the elderly to 7,000 escudos (€63.48) from 1 January.
The prime minister said that thousands of civil servants will continue to see their salaries improved with the implementation of the Career, Functions and Remuneration Plan (PCFR) and that a major youth housing programme will be implemented, with the construction of a further 1,000 social housing units provided for in the state budget.
In addition, many young people will have access to higher education, vocational training and entrepreneurship, while a series of infrastructure projects currently underway, such as roads, health centres and water supply systems, will be completed.
"We will achieve 35% of electricity production from renewable energy sources. Major investments in ports and airports will get underway, and air and sea transport will see significant improvements," he added.
"There is still a long way to go, not everything is perfect, but we have come a long way and we must continue with determination. The challenge is to double the potential for economic growth and put Cabo Verde on the map as a high-income country," he concluded.
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