Latest news with #SaoVicente
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cape Verde declares state of emergency after deadly floods
Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, after deadly floods which killed at least nine people and forced 1,500 from their homes. The state of emergency activates crisis funds and urgent infrastructure repairs in the Atlantic Ocean islands off the west coast of Africa. Monday's flash floods were triggered by Tropical Storm Erin, leading to 193mm (7.6in) of rain in just five hours, far above São Vicente's annual average. Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia told the BBC the floods were "catastrophic". Rescue teams are desperately searching for missing people, while roads, homes and vehicles have been severely damaged. Commenting on the heavy rains, Ester Brito from the country's meteorology institute told Reuters news agency that the weather conditions were uncommon. "It is a rare situation because what was recorded is above our 30-year climatologist average." Speaking to local media outlet Expresso das Ilhas, Ms Brito added that the country did not have the radar equipment required to forecast the extent of the rains. Describing the moment the floods hit, Interior Minister Paulo Rocha said the night was "marked by panic and despair", Reuters reports. Alveno Yali, a community organiser in São Vicente, the worst affected Island, described the situation as "an incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds, and flash floods, resulting in significant material losses". The Cape Verdean diaspora especially in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US have launched urgent crowdfunding campaigns. Tens of thousands of euros have already been raised to buy food, water, hygiene products, and emergency supplies. Andreia Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, told the BBC that the entire diaspora was mobilised and they planned to deliver aid directly. You may also be interested in: 'I watched helplessly as water washed my family away' in Nigeria floods How old English sea shanties inspired Cape Verdean singer Cape Verde: Renewable energy via solar panels helps connect communities Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Cape Verde floods: State of emergency declared in São Vicente and Santo Antão
Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, after deadly floods which killed at least nine people and forced 1,500 from their state of emergency activates crisis funds and urgent infrastructure repairs in the Atlantic Ocean islands off the west coast of flash floods were triggered by Tropical Storm Erin, leading to 193mm (7.6in) of rain in just five hours, far above São Vicente's annual average. Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia told the BBC the floods were "catastrophic". Rescue teams are desperately searching for missing people, while roads, homes and vehicles have been severely on the heavy rains, Ester Brito from the country's meteorology institute told Reuters news agency that the weather conditions were uncommon."It is a rare situation because what was recorded is above our 30-year climatologist average."Speaking to local media outlet Expresso das Ilhas, Ms Brito added that the country did not have the radar equipment required to forecast the extent of the rains. Describing the moment the floods hit, Interior Minister Paulo Rocha said the night was "marked by panic and despair", Reuters reports. Alveno Yali, a community organiser in São Vicente, the worst affected Island, described the situation as "an incredible moment of heavy rains, strong winds, and flash floods, resulting in significant material losses".The Cape Verdean diaspora especially in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US have launched urgent crowdfunding campaigns. Tens of thousands of euros have already been raised to buy food, water, hygiene products, and emergency Levy, president of Hello Cabo Verde in France, told the BBC that the entire diaspora was mobilised and they planned to deliver aid directly. You may also be interested in: 'I watched helplessly as water washed my family away' in Nigeria floodsHow old English sea shanties inspired Cape Verdean singerCape Verde: Renewable energy via solar panels helps connect communities Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Reuters
7 days ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Cape Verde floods kill at least eight people
PRAIA, Aug 12 (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed after flooding on Cape Verde's Sao Vicente island overwhelmed emergency services and cut key roads, a regional civil protection councillor said on Tuesday. On Monday morning torrential rains lashed the northern island in the Atlantic archipelago located off West Africa, swamping roads and sweeping away vehicles and people. Municipal councillor Jose Carlos da Luz told a state broadcaster seven people had died in floods and one person was electrocuted, adding that three others were still missing. In a report on Monday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies put the death toll at nine and said 1,500 people had been displaced on Sao Vicente. Sao Vicente usually records 116 millimetres (mm) of rain in a year, according to Cape Verde's meteorology institute. But early on Monday 193 mm fell in just five hours, according to Ester Brito, an executive at the institute. "It is a rare situation because what was recorded is above our 30-year climatological average," she told Reuters, adding that in just two hours more rain fell than the island typically receives annually. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Monday that Tropical Storm Erin was located about 280 miles (455 km) west-northwest of Cape Verde and packing maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 km/h). Interior Minister Palo Rocha said on Monday that floodwaters disrupted transport across Sao Vicente and severed the main road to Cesaria Evora International Airport, though the facility remained operational. Rockfalls also blocked traffic. "It was a difficult night marked by panic and despair," Rocha told public radio, adding that first responders were inundated with distress calls. Rescue and cleanup operations were ongoing, but Rocha said authorities were mobilising resources that would allow the island to quickly return to normal life.
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African Development Bank funds second Tech Park in Mindelo
Cabo Verde has inaugurated the Mindelo Technology Park, completing the second campus of the TechPark CV project funded by the African Development Bank ( The facility aims to establish the country as a digital hub connecting Africa with global markets. The ceremony took place on May 6 with representatives from the government, industry, and development partners in attendance. The EUR 51.85 million TechPark CV project received EUR 45.5 million in financing from the African Development Bank Group, supporting both the Praia and Mindelo campuses. In an address, Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva highlighted the transformative impact of the technology park: "Today we inaugurate this technological park hub with the conviction that we are already celebrating a special moment here. Yesterday was on the beach in Sao Vicente, a modern infrastructure important for the development of the digital economy. We want to position the digital economy as one of the key sectors for the diversification of Cabo Verde's / Cavian economy, and increase the share of the digital economy in the GDP from around 7% to 25%." He further explained the goals of the project:'It is one of the sectors that create jobs and create quality jobs, simulates entrepreneurship and makes the capacity and talent of young people happen. We want to attract leading companies. We want to develop young digital entrepreneurship, startups and create well paid jobs." Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, emphasized the significance of this milestone: "These two events mark a turning point for the broader diversification of the economy of Cabo Verde and a landmark in its quest to become the digital gateway for Africa. These two technology park campuses will spark the spirit of digital innovation and spur the emergence of technology-enabled businesses that will propel the digital economy of Cabo Verde." Reflecting on the financial projections and potential impact, Dr. Adesina added, "The Technology Park will allow Cabo Verde to position itself to take advantage of the digital economy in Africa, which is estimated to add $180 billion to the GDP of Africa by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050. It will also allow Cabo Verde to benefit from the $16.5 trillion global digital economy by 2028." Carlos Monteiro, President of TechPark CV, shared his outlook on the project's cultural and economic significance: "TechPark CV is the realisation of our ambition to transform Cape Verde into a technology hub for West Africa. Our unique mid-Atlantic location creates a gateway for investments and business opportunities linking Africa, Europe and the Americas.' He added: 'The spirit of morabeza lies at the heart of what we're building – a welcoming environment where innovators from different backgrounds and cultures can collaborate and thrive together. Through this project, we're not just building a digital hub; we're fostering a community where technology drives economic growth and sustainable development for Cape Verde and our international partners." Project architect Fernando Mauricio Dos Santos, whose design balances technological needs with environmental considerations, noted: 'The campus features a secure, basement-level data centre that ensures national security while harmonizing with the surrounding residential area. The U-shaped building's orientation provides protection against northeast winds while maximizing southern light exposure, creating a comfortable and energy-efficient environment. A specialized technical box discreetly houses heavy refrigeration equipment, allowing the facility to blend advanced technology capabilities with Mindelo's existing urban landscape.' The Mindelo facility includes a data centre, a business incubation hub, and a training centre. The campus currently hosts ten companies from four countries and employs 125 young professionals, with 80% of its 25 office spaces occupied. The facility operates as a special digital economic zone, offering tax incentives to businesses specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital health solutions. In closing remarks, Dr. Adesina offered words of encouragement to the entrepreneurs and businesses establishing themselves at the technology park: "You will make it! You will grow! You will thrive!! Just like out of Mindelo the young voice of Cesaria Evora grew until it took the world by storm, so will the Mindelo Technology Park rise to become a gateway for innovation that will resound across Africa and the world. So, keep moving on and moving up!" Both campuses of TechPark CV are now operational. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
