About Bolama
Bolama Island is the nearest of the Bijagós Islands to the mainland of Guinea-Bissau. Bolama is also the name of the main town of the Island.
It is almost completely surrounded by mangrove swamps and is known for its cashew nuts.
British colonists settled the island in 1792, the Portuguese also claimed Bolama in 1830 and in 1870 a commission chaired by Ulysses S. Grant awarded Bolama to Portugal. Subsequently, in 1879, Bolama became the first capital of Portuguese Guinea and remained so until its transfer to Bissau in 1941.
A fruit processing plant was built on Bolama shortly after independence of Guinea Bissau, with Dutch foreign aid. This plant produced canned juice and jelly of cashew fruit. Attractions on the island include sandy beaches and the Bolama Governor's Palace.
Although the Bijagós Islands of Guinea Bissau are part of the world’s biggest passages for containers, the desolate state of “Ilha de Bolama” offers the challenge of flourishing and revitalizing the abandoned Island with GNB’s former capital Bolama.
It is almost completely surrounded by mangrove swamps and is known for its cashew nuts.
British colonists settled the island in 1792, the Portuguese also claimed Bolama in 1830 and in 1870 a commission chaired by Ulysses S. Grant awarded Bolama to Portugal. Subsequently, in 1879, Bolama became the first capital of Portuguese Guinea and remained so until its transfer to Bissau in 1941.
A fruit processing plant was built on Bolama shortly after independence of Guinea Bissau, with Dutch foreign aid. This plant produced canned juice and jelly of cashew fruit. Attractions on the island include sandy beaches and the Bolama Governor's Palace.
Although the Bijagós Islands of Guinea Bissau are part of the world’s biggest passages for containers, the desolate state of “Ilha de Bolama” offers the challenge of flourishing and revitalizing the abandoned Island with GNB’s former capital Bolama.
Free Zone on “Ilha de Bolama”
Guinea Bissau will establish an international attractive Free Trade Zone on Ilha de Bolama, right in the Gulf of Guinea.
The geographical situation offers many potential advantages for trade.
Bissagos Islands are one of the world’s biggest passages for containers. Also with its tourism and the implementation of new technologies, the area is extremely attractive for foreign investors.
We are going to sell Free Trade Zone Licences to potential parties according to the fields of activity.
The geographical situation offers many potential advantages for trade.
Bissagos Islands are one of the world’s biggest passages for containers. Also with its tourism and the implementation of new technologies, the area is extremely attractive for foreign investors.
We are going to sell Free Trade Zone Licences to potential parties according to the fields of activity.

Bolama Areas
Business Activities

Infrastructure
The construction and expansion of the infrastructure forms the basis for Bolama’s development