Joseph Carasso has been the CEO of iibCV since July 2024. He has extensive management experience in the banking sector, having spent most of his career working at Citibank subsidiaries in Brazil and in African countries such as South Africa (where he was responsible for 30 countries and the Financial Institutions business), Uganda, Ghana, and, more recently, Tanzania, where he led the subsidiary between 2013 and 2019. He also worked in Central Asia, heading Afghanistan International Bank (2019-2024), where he positioned the bank as a key player in humanitarian actions. The first interview since taking office in Cape Verde, exclusively, to Expresso das Ilhas.

What plans do you have for iibCV in the short/medium term?

The iib has been in Cape Verde for seven years and has focused on making Cape Verde a West African business hub and developing innovative ways to finance the local economy, with new opportunities for investment and growth.

We have a highly qualified team, which has been the driving force behind our success. Their value and excellence are recognized by clients and other stakeholders who trust us with their investments.

iib Cabo Verde is a unique bank with an extraordinary strategic vision. This is what we want to continue to translate into the national economy, especially in our area of ​​expertise: the capital markets. In the medium term, we will continue to position ourselves as a true partner for companies and entrepreneurs in supporting projects with an impact on the community.

Given our strong international focus, we want to continue supporting the internationalization of the economy, but also the Cape Verdean diaspora, with products suited to their savings and investment needs.

I would say that iibCV is in Cape Verde with a clear mission: to contribute to the development and improvement of the quality of life of society, our people and their families, and to drive sustainable growth based on rigorous principles of governance and social responsibility. And this is exactly the mission we want to continue to fulfil in the future.

Where would you like to see the bank in the next 5 years?

I am certain that we will continue on our path of affirmation, opening the country’s doors to the world and making Cape Verde a business hub – both with other African countries and with Europe and America.

We know that the national banking sector is small and has several players, each with their own advantages. I believe that our global nature sets us apart and will allow us to continue to attract investment, add value to the Cape Verdean economy, while supporting the cross-border expansion of businesses with local roots. I would therefore say that I would like iibCV to continue to be involved in the realization of projects and dreams, both personal and business.

We will continue to focus on the excellent service that has brought us to this point and which has led to the bank being considered a “Great Place to Work” for four consecutive years, a recognition of our excellence as a company to work for. I hope this continues to be the case and we will work towards this goal.

Social responsibility is and will continue to be a priority. Over the past few years, we have created different opportunities to support communities, promoting financial literacy and investment in social projects. Initiatives such as Blue Bonds, which finance structural projects linked to the blue economy, Social Bonds, which supported SOS Children’s Villages Cabo Verde, and Green Bonds, which sponsored the implementation of the energy transition project at the Agostinho Neto University Hospital, the largest hospital in the country, will continue to be on our radar, as well as others to support health and, in particular, the education of our young people.