CAPE VERDE: ILLEGAL SAND EXTRACTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ERODES COASTLINE

Illegal extraction of sea sand for the construction industry has been continuing in Cape Verde for decades, rapidly eroding the coastline of Santiago island. The practice has left many once‑pristine beaches virtually invisible, according to France 24 – International breaki.

The illegal sand trade, driven by demand for construction materials, is destroying critical coastal habitats, salinizing nearby farmland and forcing women into dangerous, health‑risking work to support their families. As the coastline recedes, the once‑photo‑worthy beaches that attract tourists are disappearing.

Cape Verde’s economy depends heavily on tourism and fishing, so the loss of shoreline and the degradation of ecosystems threaten both livelihoods and the nation’s environmental integrity. The ongoing erosion also signals wider regional challenges of resource exploitation and climate change.

• Decades of illegal sand extraction are eroding Santiago’s coastline, leaving few beaches visible.
• The practice harms ecosystems, increases farmland salinization, and endangers women's health.
• The loss undermines Cape Verde’s tourism industry and threatens local livelihoods.

Read the original source for full detail available at France 24 - International breaki src