Anildo Lobo, the young entrepreneur from Lomba Tantum who is focusing on agriculture, fishing, aguardente production, and tourism in Brava

Nova Sintra, October 10, 2026 (Bravanews) — Anildo Lobo, a young entrepreneur from Lomba Tantum, has been building his professional career through investments in various sectors of the local economy, notably transportation, agriculture, aguardente production, fishing, livestock farming, and tourist accommodations. With a career marked by nearly 15 years of experience as a professional driver, the entrepreneur seeks to diversify his activities and contribute to the economic revitalization of Brava Island.

Over the years, Anildo Lobo has focused on hard work, self-initiative, and the diversification of his investments. He currently owns a Hiace van and a Toyota Hilux, which he uses for his professional activities. The entrepreneur also employs one worker who, he reports, has been registered with the National Social Security Institute (INPS) for over three years. This is one example of his efforts to develop a structured business and create formal working conditions.

In addition to transportation, Anildo Lobo has sought to invest in the agricultural sector, which he considers important for the development of Brava and for harnessing the island’s potential. His involvement in agriculture is part of an economic diversification strategy, aiming to combine different productive activities and reduce dependence on a single source of income. However, the entrepreneur believes there are obstacles hindering the expansion of his projects and advocates for greater intervention by the relevant authorities to facilitate access to opportunities and better conditions for development.

One of Anildo Lobo’s ventures is also the production of aguardente, an activity that represents not only a business initiative but also a connection to Cape Verdean production traditions. According to him, the aguardente brand he produces has already gained recognition on the island of Brava and on other islands in the archipelago, notably Fogo, Santiago, and São Vicente. Through personal contacts and the support of friends, some batches of the product have also reached markets abroad, including communities in the Americas and European countries such as Portugal and France. This expansion presents an opportunity to promote local products and explore new markets.

Fishing is another sector in which the young entrepreneur maintains a significant presence. Anildo Lobo states that he owns two fishing vessels and works in partnership with two other vessels that supply him with fish. Across all these activities, he notes that there are six fishermen associated with his business. The organization of this supply network allows him to participate in different stages of the process, from catching the fish to selling it, thereby contributing to the local economy and generating income for the professionals involved.

The sale of fish is not limited to the island of Brava. According to Anildo Lobo, his business also includes the sale and supply of fish to the islands of Fogo and Santiago, and he has maintained commercial relationships with various suppliers and buyers for over three years. This inter-island connection demonstrates the importance of distribution networks for the fisheries sector in Cape Verde, especially in a context where the continuity of maritime transport and the preservation of products are fundamental factors for the functioning of commercial activity.

The entrepreneur is also involved in animal husbandry, specifically raising goats and chickens, integrating this activity into his overall business portfolio. Livestock farming, combined with agriculture and aguardente production, represents another aspect of his business strategy. For Anildo Lobo, developing these activities can help make better use of the island’s available resources, stimulate local production, and open up new business opportunities, provided that the right conditions exist for investing, producing, and marketing.

Another area he intends to focus on is tourism, through the creation of a lodging facility. The initiative is in its early stages and is part of his vision to harness Brava’s potential to attract visitors and diversify the island’s tourism offerings. The implementation of this project could create a link between lodging, gastronomy, local products, agriculture, and the island’s traditions. However, the entrepreneur believes it is necessary to overcome certain constraints and secure greater cooperation from the relevant authorities to transform this intention into a business with growth potential.

Despite the investments made and the experience gained, Anildo Lobo states that he continues to face difficulties that hinder the expansion of his businesses, particularly in the areas of agriculture and tourism. For this reason, he calls for intervention by the relevant authorities, advocating for the creation of better conditions for access to opportunities, support, and mechanisms that enable local entrepreneurs to develop their projects. His request, he explains, does not stem from a lack of willingness to work, but from the need to find solutions to obstacles that, in his view, exceed the individual capacity of those seeking to invest and produce.

Anildo Lobo believes he has the willpower, courage, and determination to continue working and expanding his initiatives. The message he conveys to the authorities is that young entrepreneurs in Brava need institutional cooperation and conditions that allow them to transform their ideas into sustainable projects. His career path—spanning transportation, fishing, agriculture, aguardente production, animal husbandry, and plans to invest in tourism—demonstrates a commitment to diversifying economic activities. For Lomba Tantum and the island of Brava, the challenge lies in creating an environment where local private enterprise can grow, generate jobs, and contribute to the community’s development.

MS