Pedro Pires
Pedro Pires is best known for his tenure as the 3rd President of Cape Verde and for being the first Prime Minister of the country after its independence.
World Leader
April 29, 1934
90
Pedro Pires, a Cape Verdean politician, served as the President of Cape Verde from 2001 to 2011. During his tenure, he was instrumental in promoting democracy and economic progress in the country. He contributed to the construction of Cape Verde’s international airport, the regulation of its financial sector, and the establishment of an independent judiciary. Pires also worked towards national reconciliation and stabilizing the political climate following a period of instability in the 1990s.
In 2023, Pires received the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, the world’s largest individual prize. He was awarded $5 million over 10 years and $200,000 for life thereafter, in recognition of his efforts to reduce Cape Verde’s indebtedness and his willingness to relinquish power. Pires also led the delegation that negotiated the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde with the Portuguese government.
A passionate lover of literature and poetry, Pires has authored several books, including a collection of poems titled “Caminhos” (Paths), published in 2011. He has been a strong advocate for the arts, believing that cultural expression is essential to the development of Cape Verdean identity.
Some of Pedro Pires’ other notable accomplishments include:
