Angola and Cape Verde and seek solution for partnership between TAAG and TACV

"Regarding the partnership with Angola, in air transport, it is a process that the Government of Cape Verde has been working with the Government of Angola since 2018. We have started this process of talks and we hope that we can find the best solutions", said the Prime Minister. minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva.

Speaking at the National Assembly, in Praia, in the usual monthly debate in parliament, on the theme "The role of transport in the economy and regional integration", the head of the Government assured the interest of the two countries in entering the transport market together of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

"Now, in the recent visit of the President of the Republic [from Cape Verde to Angola], this interest of Cape Verde and Angola was reaffirmed so that, through a good partnership between TAAG and TACV, we can find good solutions in entering the market of ECOWAS, which is an important market. And we need a strong partner in this area", he said.

The flag carrier TACV was privatized in 2019, with the sale of 51 percent of the share capital to Icelandic investors. In 2021, the Cape Verdean Government renationalized the company, citing the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, and TACV resumed operations last December, more than 20 months later.

"Conditions are being worked out for this to materialize [partnership with TAAG] and the same initiative could later be developed in relation to maritime transport for the ECOWAS market", added the prime minister.

Ulisses Correia e Silva had already admitted in November the possibility of the partnership between Cape Verde and Angola flag airlines allowing entry into the West African market through 'low cost' transport.

"We have on the table several alternatives, several solutions, including a partnership to enter the ECOWAS market through 'low cost' transport solutions, perhaps a new company that will be born with the participation of TACV and TAAG", said the head from the government.

This month, the issue was once again highlighted in the State visit of the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, to Angola, which he described as "a profound turning point" in relations between the two countries.

"I also consider the negotiations in the air transport sector to be extremely important with a view to implementing a strategic partnership for joint exploration of destinations," said José Maria Neves, on 10 January, in Luanda.