China and the Great Urban Projects in Cabo Verde

Abstract

This year we are celebrating the 44th anniversary of Cabo Verde-China relations. This article intends to consider the guidelines of what seems to be a long-lasting cooperation, as well as the place it occupies within the framework of the Sino-African cooperation. China’s current fascination with Africa has been associated with its recent economic empowerment and a need for the expansion of raw materials along with the market for its products. Thus, we are witnessing a renewal of interest (initially of political and military nature) that currently highlights mainly geopolitical and economic priorities. In Cabo Verde, the recent dynamics of Chinese private investment allocation, such as the Cape Verde Integrated Resort & Casino project, as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding aiming at opening a credit institution—Sino-Atlantic Bank—are some signs that show China’s interest in staying and consolidating its presence in the country. We propose to discuss the role that Africa in general and Cabo Verde in particular may have in the framework of the ambitious One Belt, One Road Programme, also referred to as the New Silk Road, believing that it will be possible to restore trade and promote the development of infrastructures through this strategy, launched in September 2013 and officially announced in 2015 by China’s President, Xi Jinping.