A joint staff working document published by the EU Council on 16 July 2026 assesses Cabo Verde's compliance with the EU's Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+) over the 2023-2025 period, finding high overall compliance with human rights, labour, environmental, and governance obligations, but noting persistent gaps in anti-discrimination law, environmental implementation, and drug trafficking.
The assessment accompanies the Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering 2023-2025. Cabo Verde has ratified all 27 GSP+ conventions and maintains high compliance, with positive developments in access to justice, press freedom, gender equality, poverty reduction, and declining child labour (rate at 4.2% in 2024, with 2.5% in hazardous work). GSP+ eligible exports to the EU totalled EUR 63.8 million in 2024, with EUR 11 million in duties saved; the GSP+ utilisation rate was 82.3%.
a comprehensive anti-discrimination law has been pending since 2022; reporting obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) are overdue since 2006; prison overcrowding and staffing shortages persist; drug trafficking and rising domestic cocaine consumption remain challenges. Priorities for future engagement include adopting anti-discrimination legislation, fostering social dialogue, enforcing equal pay and child labour protections, improving environmental convention implementation, and bolstering anti-drug trafficking efforts.
The assessment implies that Cabo Verde broadly meets GSP+ obligations but must address legislative gaps, reporting delays, and enforcement weaknesses to maintain compliance under the new GSP+ framework from 2027. The document does not propose immediate sanctions but sets expectations for continued monitoring and cooperation.
EU importers of Cabo Verdean goods benefit from continued tariff preferences, saving an estimated EUR 11 million annually. Cabo Verde's government faces pressure to pass anti-discrimination laws and improve enforcement, which may require legislative and administrative resources. EU taxpayers see their funds supporting a trade preference scheme that promotes governance standards. Drug trafficking networks in the region may face increased scrutiny as Cabo Verde bolsters anti-drug efforts.
The European Commission and the European External Action Service will continue monitoring Cabo Verde's compliance, with the next assessment expected before the new GSP+ regulation takes effect in 2027. The European Parliament may hold debates or request updates on progress.