The economy is service-oriented, with tourism, transport, commerce, and public services accounting for more than 60 percent of GDP. Tourism alone accounts to approximately 25% percent of GDP and it is expected to continue its strong performance. Foreign investment in Cabo Verde is concentrated in tourism and light manufacturing. Tourism, transportation, fishery and renewable energy are sectors with great investment potential.

Cabo Verde has been eligible to the AGOA program since May 2000 when the Trade and Development Act of 2000 was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law. AGOA establishes a new framework for U.S. trade, investment and development policy for sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA offers Cabo Verde duty-free and quota-free U.S. market access for essentially all products through the Generalized System of Preferences. For more information on the opportunities provided by the AGOA visit the highly informative website on the African Growth and Opportunity Act or the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).