Sal, Cabo Verde, February 4, 2026 — To improve infrastructure quality across Cabo Verde’s airport network and strengthen domestic and international connectivity, IFC today announced a second sustainability-linked loan for Cabo Verde Airports S.A. (CVA), reinforcing tourism as a key driver of job creation and economic growth in the country.
As part of this new phase of upgrades, IFC will support CVA to enhance the capacity, operational efficiency and performance of the country’s network of four international and three domestic airports, improving passenger experience and safety.
The three-year program includes terminal expansions, new commercial areas, comprehensive upgrades at Sal, Praia, São Vicente, São Filipe, São Nicolau, and Maio airports, and a runway extension at Boa Vista.
The program also includes new waste treatment and wastewater processing plants to strengthen environmental performance, fully aligned with the sustainability-linked financing and Airport Carbon Accreditation objective, the global carbon-management standard for airports.
Under the partnership, IFC is providing CVA with a loan of up to €60 million. This investment, builds on an initial sustainability-linked investment announced in July 2023.
Nicolas Notebaert, President of VINCI Concessions and VINCI Airports, said, “The completion of this first phase and the launch of the next stage of airport modernization mark a significant advancement for Cape Verde. We are proud to contribute to turning its airport infrastructure into a benchmark for economic growth and sustainable development. In close partnership with Cape Verdean authorities, VINCI Airports is committed to delivering modern, efficient, and well-connected airports while placing passenger experience improvement at the core of our priorities.”
"The second phase of the seven-airport modernization program is a clear testament to what strategic partnerships can achieve. Together with the Government of Cabo Verde and Cabo Verde Airports, IFC is proud to help deliver infrastructure that enhances connectivity, creates jobs, and supports inclusive economic growth,” said Indira Campos, World Bank Group’s Resident Representative for Cabo Verde. “This investment not only helps boost tourism and access to markets but also strengthens connections within the archipelago and externally to its vast diaspora.”
CVA, a subsidiary of VINCI Airports, operates the network under a 40-year concession since 2023. The successful completion of the first phase has markedly improved air connectivity across Cabo Verde’s airports. Passenger volumes have surged by 60% since 2022, driven by the opening of 35 new routes. The arrival of low-cost carriers has further expanded travel options, boosted tourism and enhanced mobility, within the islands and with the world.
Cabo Verde's economy relies heavily on tourism, which represents 25 percent of GDP and drives around 40 percent of overall economic activity in the country. This investment reflects IFC’s commitment to scaling up its support in Cabo Verde, focusing on tourism, infrastructure development, energy transition, and access to finance.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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