AGP Executive Report

Diaspora Culture: Boston has named Elsie Dias its new Cape Verdean cultural advisor. The Dorchester-born community advocate says she hopes to strengthen and empower the city’s Cape Verdean community. Football & Culture: At a CAF strategy conference in Sal, President Patrice Motsepe said the confederation is weighing a return to the Africa Cup of Nations every two years, after criticism of plans for a four-year cycle. Equality: Cabo Verde joined 41 other countries in condemning the persecution of LGBTIQ+ activists and calling for their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association to be protected.

Diaspora Culture: Boston has named Elsie Dias its Cape Verdean cultural advisor. A Dorchester native whose family is from Fogo, Dias says she wants to strengthen and empower the community. Travel: Cabo Verde is gaining popularity with solo female travellers as tourism grows, according to a recent report. Football: At a CAF strategy conference on Sal, president Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is considering returning AFCON to a two-year cycle, after plans to hold it every four years drew criticism. LGBTQ+ Rights: Cabo Verde joined an Equal Rights Coalition statement condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists and rights groups.

African Football: At a strategy conference in Sal, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is considering restoring the Africa Cup of Nations’ two-year cycle, reversing plans for a four-year schedule. Tourism: Cabo Verde welcomed a record 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, and Sal remains the country’s busiest island. A resort there reports growing interest from solo women travellers as the archipelago’s tourism boom continues. Faith & Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including abuse on social media—and care for the environment, calling for a more humane and peaceful society. LGBTIQ+ Rights: Cabo Verde joined an Equal Rights Coalition statement condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists and rights groups. Cabo Verdean Diaspora: Judie Lopes, mother of Cape Verde international Roberto “Pico” Lopes, is among the nominees for Ireland’s 2026 Mum of the Year award; her family plans to visit Cabo Verde next summer.

US Travel: Cabo Verdeans remain outside the 2026 US travel restrictions and can apply for visas through the standard process, subject to routine screening. African Football: At a CAF strategy conference in Cabo Verde, president Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is considering restoring the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle, after plans to shift to four years drew criticism. Equal Rights: Cabo Verde joined 41 other countries in condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists and human rights defenders. Tourism: Cabo Verde welcomed a record 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, with Sal attracting nearly 60% of arrivals; the island is also seeing more solo women travellers. Faith and Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence, including abuse on social media, and care for the environment.

African Football: At a CAF strategy conference on Sal, president Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is considering restoring the Africa Cup of Nations’ two-year cycle, reversing plans to move to a four-year schedule. LGBTQ+ Rights: Cabo Verde joined other countries in an Equal Rights Coalition statement condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists and defenders. Tourism: Cabo Verde is drawing more solo women travellers as visitor numbers hit a record 1.25 million in 2025; Sal accounted for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals. Faith & Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence, including abuse on social media, and to care for the environment.

LGBTIQ+ Rights: Cabo Verde joined 41 other countries in condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists, calling equality advocacy a protected human right. African Football: At a CAF strategy conference in Cabo Verde, president Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is considering restoring the Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle, after plans to move to four years drew criticism over the tournament’s cultural importance. Solo Travel: Cabo Verde’s tourism boom is drawing more women travelling alone. The country welcomed a record 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, with Sal accounting for nearly 60% of arrivals. Travel Options: Cape Verdean children under 12, students and researchers qualify for Czech visa-fee waivers; Cape Verdeans are also among 46 African nationalities eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days in the Philippines. Faith and Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including abuse on social media—and care for the environment.

Tourism: Cabo Verde is drawing more solo female travellers as visitor numbers hit a record 1.25 million in 2025. Sal accounts for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals, with the UK the biggest source market. Football: At a CAF strategy conference in Santa Maria, president Patrice Motsepe said the organisation is reconsidering plans to hold AFCON every four years, with a return to the biennial schedule under discussion. Rights: Cabo Verde joined an Equal Rights Coalition statement condemning the persecution and criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ activists and human rights defenders. Faith & Environment: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including abuse on social media—and treat care for the environment as a shared responsibility. Travel: Cabo Verdeans are among the African nationals eligible for up to 30 days visa-free in the Philippines, subject to passport and onward-ticket requirements.

Football & Culture: CAF’s strategy conference brought African football leaders to Sal from October 7–9. President Patrice Motsepe said a return to an every-two-years Africa Cup of Nations is under review, after plans to move to a four-year cycle drew criticism. Tourism: Cabo Verde is drawing more solo women travellers as visitor numbers reach record highs. Sal accounted for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals in 2025. Faith & Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including abuse on social media—and care for creation, calling for a more humane society. Diaspora Arts: The FABRIC Arts Festival in New England, running October 8–11, brings Cape Verdean artists and traditions into a programme exploring migration, identity and belonging. Travel & Opportunity: Cabo Verdeans are among 46 African nationalities eligible for 30-day visa-free visits to the Philippines. Qualified Cabo Verdean applicants can also apply for several International Criminal Court roles in The Hague.

African Football: At a CAF strategy conference in Cabo Verde, president Patrice Motsepe said the confederation is considering restoring the Africa Cup of Nations’ traditional two-year cycle, reversing plans to hold it every four years. Tourism: Cabo Verde welcomed a record 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, as Sal resorts report growing interest from solo female travellers. Boa Vista’s 1,181-room Riu Touareg has also reopened after a major renovation. Culture & Diaspora: The FABRIC Arts Festival runs through October 11 in Fall River, bringing Cape Verdean artists and traditions into a wider celebration of migration, identity and belonging. Community: In São Domingos, municipal architect Marco Aurélio Furtado helps low-income families improve homes with practical design and building advice.

African Football: At CAF’s strategy conference in Santa Maria, Sal, President Patrice Motsepe said a return to the Africa Cup of Nations every two years is under review, after fans and officials pushed back against plans for a four-year cycle. Tourism: Cabo Verde is attracting more solo women travellers as visitor numbers hit a record 1.25 million in 2025; Sal accounted for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals. Arts & Diaspora: Fall River’s FABRIC Arts Festival, running through October 11, brings Cape Verdean artists and traditions into conversations about migration, identity and belonging. Boa Vista: RIU has reopened its 1,181-room Touareg resort after a full renovation, with the property now geared mainly toward families. Faith & Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including abuse online—and care for the environment.

Football in Sal: CAF’s strategy conference wrapped up in Santa Maria on October 9, with officials discussing youth pathways, women’s football and plans to strengthen African teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted $1 billion invested in African projects over the past decade. Tourism: Cabo Verde is drawing more solo female travellers as visitor numbers hit a record 1.25 million in 2025; Sal accounted for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals. Housing: In São Domingos, municipal architect Marco Aurélio Furtado helps low-income families plan safer home repairs and expansions. Faith and Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence—including online abuse—and care for the environment. Culture Abroad: Fall River’s FABRIC Arts Festival, running October 8–11, brings Cape Verdean artists and traditions into a wider conversation about migration, identity and belonging. Youth Voice: ECOWAS plans to include youth election observers in Cabo Verde’s November polls, aiming to widen young people’s role in the political process.

African Football: Cabo Verde is hosting CAF’s strategy conference in Santa Maria, Sal, through October 9. Administrators are discussing grassroots and youth development, women’s football and plans to build on Africa’s strong 2026 World Cup showing. Tourism: Cabo Verde welcomed a record 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, and Sal is drawing more solo female travellers, according to a resort report. Community & Environment: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence, including online abuse, and care for the environment, warning that greed can fuel injustice. Youth & Democracy: ECOWAS plans to include youth election observers in Cabo Verde’s November polls, aiming to give young people a stronger role in political life. Housing: In São Domingos, municipal architect Marco Aurélio Furtado helps low-income families improve homes with practical design and repair support. Diaspora Arts: The FABRIC Arts Festival, running October 8–11 in Fall River and across southeastern New England, brings Cape Verdean and other immigrant stories into a programme of art, music, food and storytelling.

LGBTQ+ Voices: African activists joined the WorldPride Human Rights Conference in Amsterdam, sharing perspectives on faith, displacement and the fight to restore LGBTQ histories. Women Travelling Solo: Cabo Verde is drawing more independent female travellers amid record tourism in 2025; Sal accounts for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals. Faith and Community: Santiago Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence, including abuse online, and care for the environment. Youth in Elections: ECOWAS plans to include youth observers in Cabo Verde’s November elections, aiming to broaden young people’s role in regional politics. Diaspora Arts: The FABRIC Arts Festival runs Oct. 8–11 across southeastern New England, bringing Cape Verdean artists and traditions into a programme on migration, identity and belonging. Housing in São Domingos: Municipal architect Marco Aurélio Furtado is helping low-income families improve homes with design, budgeting and repair support.

Tourism: Cabo Verde is drawing more solo female travellers as visitor numbers hit a record 1.25 million in 2025, up 6% year on year. Sal accounted for nearly 60% of hotel arrivals. Faith and Community: Bishop of Santiago Tavares urged Christians to reject violence, including abuse on social media, and care for creation. Housing: In São Domingos, municipal architect Marco Aurélio Furtado helps low-income families improve homes with technical advice, planning and small-scale repairs. Arts and Diaspora: The FABRIC Arts Festival runs October 8–11 across southeastern New England, bringing Cape Verdean and other immigrant stories into a programme of art, music, food and storytelling. Hospitality: Boa Vista’s 1,181-room Riu Touareg has reopened after a full renovation, with updated rooms, restaurants, pools and family facilities. Youth Voice: ECOWAS plans to include youth observers in Cabo Verde’s November elections, part of a regional push to widen young people’s role in politics.

ECOWAS Court Appointments: ECOWAS swore in five new judges in Abuja, including Liberia’s Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, as the court pushes for impartial, credible justice across the region. World Habitat Day: UN leaders marked the 40th World Habitat Day with a clear message: adequate housing is a human right and a key lever for dignity, poverty reduction, and climate-resilient cities. Faith & Social Peace: Cabo Verde’s Bishop Tavares urged Christians to reject violence in all forms, including online, and to renew care for creation inspired by St. Francis. Cabo Verde Language in Schools: Cabo Verde PM Francisco Carvalho backed the Kriolu dual-language program at Dorchester’s Lilla Frederick School, calling it a historic step for teaching Cape Verdean language in the diaspora. ECOWAS Youth Observers: ECOWAS says it will add youth observers to election monitoring, with plans to extend the approach to Cabo Verde’s November polls and beyond. Cape Verdean Diaspora Spotlight: A scholarship win at the Oak Grove Cape Verdean Cultural Center highlights young Cape Verdeans pursuing psychology and fine arts in New England. Travel Policy Watch: The Philippines expanded visa-free entry for citizens of 46 African countries (up to 30 days), while leaving some major countries out.

Regional Mobility: The Philippines has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of 46 African countries, including Cabo Verde, with rules requiring a passport valid for six months and proof of onward travel—while several nations, including Nigeria, are left out. ECOWAS & Youth Democracy: ECOWAS says it will add youth observers to election monitoring, with the plan set to roll out in Cabo Verde’s November elections and The Gambia’s December polls before extending to Nigeria’s 2027 vote. Climate & Legal Rights: A landmark UN sea-level rise declaration is gaining attention for offering legal certainty for small island developing states; Cabo Verde’s ambassador is cited as a key negotiator. Housing for All: World Habitat Day spotlights “adequate housing” as a human right and a climate-resilience tool, calling for inclusive housing policies and support for informal settlements. Culture & Language in the Diaspora: Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho praised a Kriolu dual-language program at Boston’s Lilla Frederick School, marking a milestone for teaching the Cape Verdean language abroad. Tourism & Lifestyle: RIU has reopened the renovated 1,181-room Riu Touareg in Boa Vista, shifting the resort further toward family-focused all-inclusive stays.