• Cape Verde launches unified digital services portal GOV.CV
• Platform aims to boost efficiency, interoperability, transparency
• ITU ranks country 111th in e-government index

The Cape Verdean government on Tuesday (Feb. 24) launched a unified portal for all digital public services, GOV.CV. Replacing multiple platforms used until now, the initiative aims to boost public trust in government, improve administrative efficiency and simplify procedures for citizens and businesses, authorities said.

“Until now, systems were not interoperable. With the new portal, we ensure interoperability, security and efficiency. Citizens will no longer need to visit multiple departments to obtain documents already held by the government. There will be less bureaucracy, faster processing, greater transparency and real-time tracking of procedures,” Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva said in a statement published on Facebook.

Authorities plan to gradually integrate all digitized public services into the portal, with full consolidation to follow. Payment systems will also be standardized, reducing both costs and processing times for users.

The project forms part of Cape Verde’s ambition to become a “digital nation,” accelerate growth and achieve high-income status within a decade. It aligns with a broader continental push in which digital transformation is viewed as a driver of productivity and transparency in public administration. Cape Verde ranks 111th out of 193 countries in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.6238 out of 1, slightly below the global average of 0.6382.

However, faster digitalization also increases exposure to cyberattacks targeting government platforms. Such attacks can disrupt public services or cause financial losses. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) advises countries to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks to fully leverage digital technologies.

In its “Global Cybersecurity Index 2024,” the ITU placed Cape Verde in the fourth of five tiers. While the country has a relatively solid regulatory framework, it still needs to reinforce its institutional and technical safeguards, improve coordination among stakeholders and further develop cybersecurity skills to better protect its infrastructure and citizens. Cape Verde scored 51.54 out of 100 overall.

Isaac K. Kassouwi