Cape Verde and VINCI Airports sign a concession contract for seven airports across the country
• A 40-year concession contract that will boost the country’s economic growth
• A strategy designed to expand the country’s tourism industry and support its environmental transition
• The first concession contract signed by VINCI Airports in Africa
Ulisses Correia e Silva (Cape Verdean prime minister) and Nicolas Notebaert (Chief Executive Officer ofVINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports) signed a concession contract for seven airports in theCape Verde archipelago today.
The contract covers four international airports (the capital city Praia, Sal, São Vicente and Boa Vista) andthree domestic airports (São Nicolau, São Filipe and Maio).
Over a 40-year period, VINCI Airports and its Portuguese subsidiary ANA (owning, respectively, 70% and30% stakes in the concession company) will be responsible for financing, operating, maintaining,extending and upgrading the airports.
The financial arrangements for the project are expected to be finalised by mid-2023, when the newconcession company will begin operating the airports.
As a result of the country’s strong economic growth, stable political environment and thriving tourismsector, air traffic rose by an average of 5.6% each year between 2010 and 2019, with passenger numbersreaching 2.8 million. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic impacting most tourist destinations worldwide, airtraffic reached 80% of 2019 levels in the second quarter of 2022.
VINCI Airports aims to support Cape Verde’s tourism strategy through a project tailored to suit eachairport (factoring in different passenger segment and island-specific considerations). The archipelago’scultural identity will be reflected in the architecture and customer experiences at the airports.
Furthermore, VINCI Airports will implement its environmental action plan, which involves developingsolar and wind power.
This opportunity in Cape Verde will enable VINCI Airports to build on ANA’s 10 years of experience as aconcession holder serving 10 Portuguese airports.
According to Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, “We are veryproud to announce this partnership with the Republic of Cape Verde. Our shared vision is to boost thecountry’s tourism industry through a long-term growth strategy. Improving the airports’ links andperformance will have a positive impact on the country. VINCI Airports is deeply committed to helpingthe Cape Verde archipelago realise its full potential over the course of this long-term partnership."
About VINCI
VINCI is a world leader in concessions, energy solutions and construction, employing 285,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCI’s ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general.