Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries (MCIC) announced this Wednesday the funding for the 2026 Carnival with a total amount of 19,646,400 escudos, aimed at strengthening official parades, organization, and cultural enhancement.
According to a note sent today to Inforpress, this investment represents a “significant increase, estimated between 30 and 50 percent (%), compared to previous funding, reaffirming the executive’s commitment to valuing Carnival as an identity, cultural, and economic pillar of the country.”
The document highlights that, for the first time, the MCIC released 50 percent (%) of the funding in advance for the main Carnival groups of São Vicente, Ribeira Brava de São Nicolau, and Praia city in October, while the island of Sal has benefited from full advance payment since the previous year.
Within the scope of this support, the transfers destined for the official carnival groups of São Vicente, namely Cruzeiros do Norte and Flores do Mindelo, have already been fully disbursed through the Independent League of Official Carnival Groups of São Vicente (LIGOC-SV).
Groups from the municipality of Ribeira Brava de São Nicolau, recognized for its strong carnival tradition, were also included, notably Copacabana and Estrela Azul.
As part of the policy of safeguarding and ensuring the sustainability of cultural groups, the carnival group Brilho da Zona, which will not parade in 2026, benefited from financial support of 250,000 escudos, intended to settle debts from 2025, creating conditions for its return to the festivities in 2027.
In Praia, the groups Afro Abel Djassi, Vindos D’África, Vindos do Mar, and Samba Jó have already received the full amount of the allocated funding.
Recognizing the historical and identity-related value of the traditional manifestations associated with the Mandinga people, the Ministry of Culture (MCIC) also granted financial support to groups on the island of São Vicente, specifically from the localities of Ribeira Bote, Espia, and Fonte Filipe, with a view to safeguarding and valuing this cultural expression.
Financial support was also granted to the group of teachers who will parade on Monday, the 16th.
Within the scope of the 2026 Carnival Notice, the ministry financed the municipalities that submitted applications in a timely manner, namely Santa Cruz and São Miguel, in Santiago; São Filipe and Mosteiros, in Fogo; Brava Island; Boa Vista; Paul, in Santo Antão; and Tarrafal, in São Nicolau.
In addition to the official parades and local authorities, the MCIC also allocated funding to individual, traditional, and community groups from various islands of the country, including Maio, Santiago, and Santo Antão, reinforcing diversity and cultural inclusion.
According to the source, funding for Carnival is provided through the Tourism Fund, recognizing the strategic contribution of this cultural event to boosting tourism, the creative economy, and promoting Cape Verde’s image.
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
