Cape Verde

Cape Verde is one of the most LGBT-tolerant countries in Africa. Same-sex relations have been legal since 2004 with equal age of consent (14). Employment anti-discrimination since 2008, extended to housing, goods and services since 2019; hate crime aggravator since 2015. In 2025 it became the only African country to sign Spain's joint declaration on International Pride Day. No marriage or joint adoption, no legal gender change. Praia and Mindelo · Lusophone island culture · ranks among the 4 most tolerant African societies.

Population 0,5M Capital Praia Language Portuguese (official); Cape Verdean Creole (de facto national) Currency Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Cape Verde

✓

LGBT identity

Legal (since 2004)

Legalized in 2004 with Penal Code reform · equal age of consent (14)

Partnership recognition

Not recognized

No same-sex marriage or civil union · no joint adoption

✓

Legal protection

Broad anti-discrimination · hate crime aggravator (2015)

Employment anti-discrimination since 2008 · extended to housing, goods and services since 2019 · hate crime aggravator for sexual orientation and gender identity since 2015

Trans rights

No recognition

No legal gender change recognition · no specific protections by gender identity beyond the criminal aggravator

Conversion therapies

No ban

No legal ban on conversion therapy

Social context · Cape Verde

Social acceptance

Positive

Positive · 80% wouldn't mind

Afrobarometer 2020 poll: 80% of Cape Verdeans would welcome or not be bothered by having a homosexual neighbour · among the 4 African societies with highest acceptance alongside South Africa (70%), Mauritius (56%) and Namibia (54%)

Source →

Anti-LGBT violence

Low

Low · criminal aggravator in place

Hate crime aggravator includes sexual orientation and gender identity (since 2015). No notable reports of systemic violence.

Source →

Indicative data as of 2026-05-18. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Cape Verde

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · Cape Verde

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

Only African country signing LGBTQI+ Pride Day declaration

In 2025, Cape Verde became the only African country to sign Spain's joint declaration on International Pride Day, in support of LGBTQI+ rights.