The Republic of Cabo Verde and the Sovereign Order of Malta formally established diplomatic relations in 1996. However, their interactions date back further, with the signing of a Postal Agreement in 1986. Over the years, the relationship has been characterized by diplomatic exchanges and humanitarian cooperation, despite the absence of a formal Cooperation Agreement.

A significant milestone in their bilateral relations occurred on 2 July 2018, when the President of Cabo Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, made the first official visit by a Cabo Verdean Head of State to the Sovereign Order of Malta. He was received at the Magistral Villa in Rome by the 80th Grand Master of the Order, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. The talks focussed on intensifying their bilateral relations: the President expressed the hope that his visit could take relations with the Order to a higher level. Discussions also touched upon Cabo Verde’s presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), a role it assumed on 17 July 2018 for a two-year term. The Order of Malta, through its ambassador in Lisbon, has been an accredited observer to the CPLP since 2010.

In recent years, diplomatic engagements have continued, particularly in the health sector. On 28 September 2023, Cabo Verde’s Minister of Health, Filomena Gonçalves, was received for a working visit by Ivo Graziani, Chief of Cabinet of the Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta. This meeting further underscored the commitment of both parties to enhancing cooperation, especially in areas of healthcare and humanitarian assistance.

While no high-level visits from Order of Malta representatives to Cabo Verde have taken place since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Embassy of the Order in Cabo Verde has remained engaged in humanitarian initiatives. These efforts have included supporting vulnerable populations with food and hygiene aid.