Timeline
Born on 4 June in Praia, Cape Verde.
Graduated from the School of Economics and Business Management at the Technical University of Lisbon.
Began career in the banking sector as director of administration at the Bank of Cape Verde.
Appointed Secretary of State for Finance.
Elected Mayor of Praia.
Became President of the Movement for Democracy (MpD).
Took office as Prime Minister of Cape Verde after his party won the 20 March election.
Concluded his term as Prime Minister after his party lost the legislative elections.
Biography
José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva (born 4 June 1962) is a Cape Verdean businessman and politician. He served as Prime Minister of Cape Verde from 2016 to 2026, taking office after his party, the Movement for Democracy (MpD), won the 2016 parliamentary election. Prior to his premiership, Silva held significant roles including Secretary of State for Finance (1995-1998), Minister of Finance (1999-2001), and Mayor of Praia (2008-2013). He also served as President of the MpD from 2013 and was reappointed to its leadership in 2020. He graduated from the Technical University of Lisbon in 1988.
Early Life & Background
Ulisses Correia e Silva was born in Praia, Cape Verde, on 4 June 1962. He is the son of Virgílio Correia e Silva and Isolina de Pina. No further details about his childhood or early influences are provided in the extract.
Education
Silva graduated in 1988 from the School of Economics and Business Management at the Technical University of Lisbon. No other educational institutions or degrees are mentioned.
Political & Professional Career
Silva's political career began with his service as Secretary of State for Finance from 1995 to 1998, followed by Minister of Finance from 1999 to 2001. He became Vice-President of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) between 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he was elected Mayor of Praia, a position he was reelected to in 2013. The same year, he became President of the MpD. He also served as executive president of UCCLA in 2013 and president of IDC Africa in November 2014. In 2016, his party won the parliamentary election, leading to his appointment as Prime Minister of Cape Verde, a role he held from 2016 to 2026. He was reappointed to the MpD leadership in February 2020 and was the party's candidate for the 2021 legislatures. His party lost the 2026 legislative elections.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Served as Prime Minister of Cape Verde from 2016 to 2026., Led the Movement for Democracy (MpD) to victory in the 2016 parliamentary election., Successfully reelected as Mayor of Praia in 2013., Became President of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) in 2013., Reappointed to the leadership of the Movement for Democracy (MpD) with 99 percent of votes in February 2020.