Cabo Verde: Inauguration of the Firefighting Training Centre of the Escola do Mar

On 4 March 2026, the new Firefighting Training Centre of the Escola do Mar (EMar) was inaugurated in Morro Branco, on the island of São Vicente, in the presence of the Minister of the Sea, Jorge SANTOS, the Ambassador of Luxembourg to Cabo Verde, Mr Jean-Marie FRENTZ, and numerous institutional partners. The inauguration of this infrastructure, built and equipped with the support of the Luxembourg Cooperation, marks an important step in strengthening maritime training in Cabo Verde and in the development of the blue economy. It will now enable the delivery of certified training in fire prevention and firefighting on board vessels, an essential skill for seafarers and professionals in the maritime sector.

Established in 2020, EMar aims to develop professional skills in occupations related to the sea and the maritime economy. Based in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, the institution builds on the legacy of the country’s historic maritime training structures and seeks to respond to the growing demand for qualifications in fields such as fisheries, the merchant navy, recreational boating and aquaculture.

The new centre will enable the organisation of practical maritime safety training in line with the requirements of the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) of the International Maritime Organisation. These certifications are essential for seafarers to have their skills recognised internationally and to practise their profession under appropriate safety conditions.

According to the Minister of the Sea, this infrastructure represents “an international requirement and a guarantee of quality for trainees”, highlighting the fact that investment in maritime training is a strategic lever for the future of Cabo Verde.

The construction and equipment of the centre were supported by the Luxembourg Cooperation under the Support programme for vocational training, employment and employability, through the Employment and training promotion fund. The project received funding aimed at improving the quality of infrastructure and training equipment in maritime safety.

This support is part of Luxembourg’s long-standing commitment to the development of human capital in Cabo Verde. Between 2022 and 2025, the programme notably financed 21 initial vocational training actions at EMar, benefiting 511 young people and women.

Beyond infrastructure support, the programme also operates across the wider vocational training and employment ecosystem, notably through the institutional strengthening of specialised centres, the improvement of training frameworks and the promotion of entrepreneurship in sectors related to the maritime economy.

The Firefighting Training Centre is part of the strategic vision of the Cabo Verdean government to develop a Sea Campus in São Vicente, bringing together the Atlantic Technical University, the Institute of the Sea and the Escola do Mar.

For Cabo Verdean authorities and their partners, this infrastructure will help strengthen maritime safety, improve the quality of training and facilitate the professional integration of young people into maritime professions.

By investing in technical and vocational training, Cabo Verde and its partners are laying the foundations for a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable blue economy.

The Support programme for vocational training, employment and employability is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Cabo Verde and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.