Cape Verde illegal sand extraction erodes Santiago coastline

Cape Verde’s island of Santiago is losing its once‑pristine beaches as illegal sand extraction continues to erode the coastline. For decades, clandestine dredging operations have removed vast quantities of sea sand, a key raw material for the local construction industry. The removal of this sand has left gullies and cliffs exposed, accelerating coastal erosion and exposing the island’s fragile shoreline to storm surges and sea‑level rise.

The environmental toll is significant. The loss of sand undermines beach ecosystems that support marine life and tourism, while the displaced sediment is often dumped inland, salinizing farmland and reducing agricultural productivity. Local communities, particularly women who frequently collect sand for household use, face heightened health risks from exposure to dust and contaminated water. Authorities have begun to crack down on illegal dredging, but enforcement remains limited, and the damage to both the environment and livelihoods continues to mount.