Pray for Cape Verde

About Cape Verde

The capital is Praia. People speak Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. The largest faith is Christianity.

Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.

Prayer briefing for Cape Verde

Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.

Current events

Cabo Verde is preparing for a presidential election on 15 November 2026, with a second round on 29 November if no candidate wins a majority. Earlier this year the national team played at its first World Cup and reached the round of 32, and tour operators report more interest in the islands. São Vicente is still recovering from the storm of August 2025, which killed at least nine people and destroyed homes, roads and bridges.

We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.

Leadership and politics

Cabo Verde is a democratic republic. The President is José Maria Neves and the Prime Minister is Francisco Carvalho, whose party, the PAICV, won 37 of 72 seats in the parliamentary election of 17 May 2026. President Neves is standing for re-election in November against Joana Rosa, a former Minister of Justice from the MpD.

We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.

Economic health

The economy grew about 6% in 2025 and the World Bank expects about 5% growth in 2026. Inflation is low and tourism, which brought a record 1.25 million visitors in 2025, is the main source of income. Official poverty fell from about 36% in 2015 to about 25% in 2023, but public debt is still about the size of the whole economy.

We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.

Social and cultural issues

Cape Verdeans are mainly descended from West Africans and Europeans, and almost all speak Cape Verdean Creole. Nearly one million Cape Verdeans live abroad, almost twice as many as live on the islands, and many families are spread across continents. Families who lost homes in the 2025 floods and those still in poverty are among the most vulnerable.

We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.

Spiritual landscape

In the 2021 census about 82% of people were Christian: about 73% Catholic, about 4% Protestant and about 7% from other Christian groups. About 16% said they had no religion, and under 3% follow other faiths, including a small Muslim community. The Catholic Church is the largest church across the islands.

We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.

Religious freedom

The constitution says freedom of conscience, religion and worship are inviolable, protects the right to change faith and keeps the state and religion separate. An agreement with the Holy See recognises the Catholic Church. Religious groups register with the Ministry of Justice, and the US State Department reported no significant social problems affecting religious freedom.

We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.

Historical wounds

The islands were uninhabited until Portuguese settlers founded Ribeira Grande on Santiago in 1462. For centuries the islands were a hub of the Atlantic slave trade, and when that trade declined, hardship drove many to emigrate. Cabo Verde became independent from Portugal on 5 July 1975.

We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.

Let us pray together

Our Father, we come to You together for Cabo Verde. Comfort the families still rebuilding after the floods, and keep the islands safe. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to those in authority, and peace and fairness in the coming election. Provide for every family, and give honest stewardship of the nation and its debts. Bind together families separated by the sea, and protect the poor and vulnerable. Awaken hope and a living faith on every island, and keep Your people free to worship. Heal the old wounds of slavery and hardship, and lead Cabo Verde in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sources

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