The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) brings together more than 300 million people on four continents and has a vast heritage of natural and cultural resources. The CPLP countries represent 8% of the planet’s continental surface and hold more than half of the new energy resource discoveries of the 21st century.
The CPLP stands out for its vast economic potential, sustained by a young and growing population, an abundance of natural resources and an identity shared by the Portuguese language. This common identity represents a strategic advantage that has yet to be exploited, acting as a real platform for co-operation.
Greater valorisation of the Portuguese language as a common platform will help to boost innovation, entrepreneurship and the circulation of knowledge. Investing in the promotion and dynamisation of this linguistic base will further boost sustainable economic development and the integration of Portuguese-speaking markets.
Responsible exploitation of energy, marine and mineral resources, as well as investing in sectors such as agriculture and the blue economy, will enable greater sustainable development and economic diversification in the member states. Internal co-operation facilitates the sharing of knowledge and good practices, strengthening the global position of the Lusophone community.
The start-up ecosystem in the CPLP represents one of the most promising opportunities for boosting economic development and innovation in Portuguese-speaking countries. With a young population, a common linguistic identity and growing markets, the CPLP offers fertile ground for creating new businesses and disruptive ideas. Entrepreneurship, especially through start-ups, is a key driver for job creation and the promotion of innovative solutions adapted to local realities. Initiatives such as ideas competitions, incubation and acceleration programmes are becoming increasingly common in the CPLP, and this dynamism is extremely positive and must be intensified.
Despite its potential, the CPLP faces structural challenges that make it difficult to fully realise the various economic opportunities. Among the main obstacles are excessive bureaucracy, restrictions on the mobility of people, the great inequality in economic development between the member countries and the need to create a more favourable environment for investment.
The consolidation of true economic integration requires the promotion of a facilitating framework for the internationalisation of companies, the mutual protection of investments and the increase in trade. In addition, it is essential to invest in institutional capacity building, improving infrastructure and reducing bureaucracy, so that the CPLP can establish itself as an efficient and relevant economic bloc in the global context.
The CPLP has unique conditions for asserting itself as a relevant economic bloc, offering significant opportunities for sustainable development, innovation and market integration, especially by strengthening the start-up ecosystem and promoting international partnerships. However, for this potential to translate into shared prosperity, it is essential to overcome structural challenges such as bureaucracy, inequalities and barriers to mobility and investment. Only with more effective co-operation will it be able to turn its opportunities into results for all its members.