Monument to Democracy and Freedom inaugurated in the city of Praia

The National Monument to Democracy and Freedom was inaugurated yesterday, 13 January, in the city of Praia, on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde, celebrating 35 years since Cape Verde’s first multiparty elections.

The Monument to Democracy and Freedom, a work of strong institutional and symbolic significance for the country, was executed by Tecnovia Cape Verde (CV) with high technical rigour and in record time, under the supervision of Estradas de Cabo Verde (ECV).

Located on National Road EN1-ST-06, at the Achada Grande Frente roundabout, the monument stands as a new urban landmark of the Cape Verdean capital, forming part of a broader process of enhancing public space and upgrading the surrounding road infrastructure.

A project of national relevance

The Monument to Democracy and Freedom represents an investment of 150 million Cape Verdean escudos (approximately €1.36 million) and was completed within seven months, under a public-private partnership. It is a project marking the celebrations of 50 years of Cape Verde’s Independence and 35 years of Freedom and Democracy, defining milestones in the country’s contemporary history.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, several government members, the diplomatic corps, representatives of state institutions, and civil society, amongst others. On the occasion, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva emphasised the monument’s symbolic value as an expression of collective commitment to democracy and freedom, highlighting that what stands there is the flag of the Republic of Cape Verde, a unifying element for the entire Nation.

Tecnovia CV was represented by Directors Luís Guilherme Costa and Miguel Barreiros, as well as Miguel Pereira, Manager and Managing Director of Tecnovia Cape Verde. Their presence reinforces Tecnovia’s commitment to Cape Verde at a moment of particular national significance.

Architectural concept and symbolic identity

With a contemporary architectural language, the monument materialises the national flag through undulating metal pieces, evoking movement, unity and identity. Built on a foundation of reinforced concrete clad in basalt, the sculpture comprises six metal petals, approximately 17 metres high, in high-strength steel totalling around 60 tonnes, properly braced and embedded in the foundation.

The ten islands of Cape Verde are represented by LED light rings, integrated into the voids of the metal structure, reinforcing the symbolic dimension of the ensemble.

The composition is complemented by a specialised architectural lighting system, which enhances the formal reading of the work both during the day and at night, giving it a strong visual impact on the urban landscape.

A large-scale technical challenge

According to Miguel Pereira, Manager and Managing Director of Tecnovia Cape Verde, this work was “one of the most challenging projects executed in its more than 15 years of history in Cape Verde. The Monument to Democracy and Freedom, due to its bold architecture, is a project of high technical complexity that required the coordination of dozens of different teams, in a short space of time, divided between Cape Verde and Portugal, in order to deliver a quality project within the scheduled timeframe. It was an enormous challenge which we would not have been able to overcome were it not for the involvement and commitment of all the teams and workers involved. A special thank you to the more than 400 Tecnovia Cape Verde employees, without whom this achievement would not have been possible!”

A lasting contribution to the city of Praia

Beyond its institutional and cultural value, the Monument to Democracy and Freedom contributes to the urban modernisation of the city of Praia and to enhancing one of its main entrances, strengthening the quality of public space and the socio-economic dynamics of the surrounding area.

With the execution of this emblematic work, Tecnovia Cape Verde reaffirms its capacity to deliver projects of high technical complexity and national relevance, consolidating its contribution to Cape Verde’s development.

We remain steadfast in Growing by Doing.

14.01.2026