Igor Martins

The economic history of Portuguese Africa, particularly during the colonial era, was marked by a complex mix of exploitation, trade, and uneven development. In Angola and Mozambique, which were two of the largest colonies, the focus of the colonial administration was primarily on extracting resources such as minerals, timber, and agricultural products. These regions played a crucial role in Portugal’s colonial project, supplying raw materials like diamonds, oil, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, and sugarcane.

Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe also had significant roles in the Portuguese colonial economy but with distinct economic paths. Cape Verde functioned as a trade hub and later evolved into a center for transatlantic commerce and emigration. Meanwhile, São Tomé and Príncipe emerged as cocoa producers, relying on coerced labor.

Overall, the colonial period left behind a lasting legacy of pertaining wealth and income inequality which continued to shape the region’s economic landscape long after decolonization.