Cabo Verde’s blue economy plays a vital role in the country’s sustainable development and regional integration ambitions. The fisheries sector, in particular, remains a cornerstone of employment, food security and export potential, combining artisanal and industrial activities centered on tuna and mackerel. While artisanal fishing sustains local livelihoods and traditions, most catches are sold domestically, with limited local processing and export transformation. Strengthening value addition and sustainable trade practices can unlock significant growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the fisheries value chain.
In this context, UNCTAD, in collaboration with ProEmpresa and national partners, will organize a training workshop on “From Catch to Market – Sustainable Blue Exports for SMEs” on 7 November 2025 in Mindelo, Cabo Verde. The training is part of the 2025 Cabo Verde Ocean Week, organized by the Ministry of Sea, and builds on earlier efforts under the UNCTAD project “Strengthening the capacity of African vulnerable countries to adopt policy incentives and innovative instruments for SME participation in regional value chains.”
The training aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial and technical skills of artisanal and small-scale fishers, improve artisanal fishers’ access to local and regional supply chains, and raise awareness on export requirements under regional trade frameworks. The training will feature two main modules:
- From More Catch to Market – A practical and business-oriented session on how to manage small-scale fishing activities strategically and profitably. It will cover value addition through processing, quality standards, and access to finance, including national regulations and certification for fish and seafood products.
- Leveraging Local and Regional Value Chain Opportunities – A hands-on module providing insights into local and regional trade opportunities through frameworks such as ECOWAS, AfCFTA, and ACP agreements. The session will introduce tools like ITC’s Market Access Map and the African Trade Observatory to help SMEs identify export markets and understand rules of origin and regional trade standards (SPS, TBT).
Participants will include representatives from the private sector, fishing cooperatives, SMEs, and national institutions such as chambers of commerce and major local fish processing companies such as FRESCOMAR. Participation is by invitation only.
