Cabo Verde Airports starts operation at the airports of Cabo Verde Airports with VINCI Airports and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
As the necessary conditions for the entry into force of the concession contract signed in July 2022 with the government of Cape Verde have been fulfilled, VINCI Airports today finalized the financial agreements for the concession of seven airports in the country. VINCI Airports secured a 20-year loan of 60 million euros from three development banks: World Bank-IFC, Proparco (France) and DEG (Germany). This financing is granted under the framework of Financing Associated with Sustainability (SLF).
In this context, two sustainability indicators were defined: a progressive goal of reducing CO2 emissions and obtaining the Airport Carbon Accreditation certification. This is one of the first financing of this nature carried out by VINCI Airports and the first time that IFC, Proparco and DEG have financed airports through an SLF.
Securing the financing is an important milestone for the airports of Cape Verde, whose management is now assumed by VINCI Airports. VINCI Airports will be responsible for financing, managing, maintaining, expanding, and modernizing these airports over the next 40 years, together with its Portuguese subsidiary (ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal), which will own 30% of the concessionaire company Cabo Verde Airports.
In 2022, Cape Verde’s airports received 2.2 million passengers, approximately 80% of the 2019 total, which shows that Cape Verde has solid potential. VINCI Airports will work to open new routes, promoting the tourist qualities of the archipelago, namely the richness of sports and natural activities and the pleasant weather conditions. Finally, VINCI Airports will also implement its environmental action plan, including the development of solar and wind energy.
With the start of operations, VINCI Airports welcomes more than 300 workers at Cape Verde’s airports and ensures their integration, namely through its continuous training programs, sharing of best operational practices and promotion of gender equality.
The integration of the 7 airports in Cape Verde allows VINCI Airports to consolidate its leadership as the first private operator worldwide, with 72 airports operating in 13 countries.
Nicolas Notebaert, Managing Director of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, stated:
“We are proud of the confidence placed in us by the Cape Verdean government, which has entrusted VINCI Airports with the responsibility of supporting the country’s growth in tourism while ensuring the environmental transformation of airports. We warmly welcome our new colleagues to the network and look forward to getting to work”.