Relations between Germany and Cabo Verde are cordial and based on common values. Federal President Steinmeier visited Cabo Verde in October 2023.

Cabo Verde maintains close relations with the European Union and, because of its geographical location and economic and cultural ties, sees itself as a mediator between Europe and Africa. The EU and Cabo Verde have been connected by a Special Partnership since 2007.

Climate and ocean research is a central pillar of the cooperation between Germany and Cabo Verde. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space supports projects in the areas of marine research, oceanography, climate monitoring and climate protection. In November 2017, an important research institute opened on the island of São Vicente, the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo. Cabo Verde is also a partner in the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), which provides a framework for research on climate-related changes in West Africa and solutions for water and land use.

Since the Republic of Cabo Verde gained independence, Germany has made available some 100 million euro to the country in the form of financial and technical cooperation. Measured in per capita terms, the country used to rank among the top recipients of German development assistance. Cabo Verde ceased to be a recipient of bilateral development cooperation assistance in 2010 after it graduated to middle-income country status. However, Germany contributes a large share of multilateral aid, in particular through the European Union and the World Bank. Sector-specific projects also receive support, for example, in the areas of e‑mobility as well as coastal and marine management.