Praia, July 2, 2026 (Lusa) - Cabo Verde’s gross domestic product grew by 6.4% in the first quarter of 2026, year-on-year, 0.9 percentage points less than in the previous quarter, the archipelago’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) announced on Thursday.

The five sectors of activity accounting for 56% of GDP all grew in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025: transport and storage (+4.1%), trade and repairs (+7.3%), public administration and social security (+10.4%), accommodation and food services (+0.3%) and real estate activities (+6.4%).

The fisheries and aquaculture sector, despite accounting for just 2% of GDP, saw the highest growth, rising by 48.2%, whilst the agriculture, livestock and forestry sector recorded a 5.9% contraction; these sectors are subject to seasonality and order cycles.

On the expenditure side, year-on-year, private consumption rose by 4.5%, public consumption by 10%, and investment by 15.9%.

Exports of goods and services grew by 5.5%, and imports rose by 6.9%.

Cabo Verde’s GDP grew by 7% in 2024 and 6.3% in 2025.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) forecasts that Cabo Verde’s economic growth will moderate this year to 4.7%, whilst the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts 5.1%.

The credit rating agency Fitch estimates an average growth rate of 5.4% in 2026 and 2027.

Foreign tourism and related activities remain the driving force behind Cabo Verde’s economy, which has benefited from increased air links between the archipelago and Europe.

LFO/ADB // ADB.

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