who we are
Our History
Our origins
The history of Italinvest is rooted in the entrepreneurial vision of Andrea Stefanina, who brings decades of experience in the construction, real estate, and international tourism sectors. This journey began in Italy in the 1970s, in the city of Brescia, where the first core of the Group (Stefanina Engineering) was established, specializing in industrial plant engineering and quickly expanding into foreign markets such as the Middle East and North Africa—particularly Saudi Arabia, Iran, Libya, and Algeria.
At the same time, during the 1980s, the real estate division took on a strategic role, driven by the development of projects ranging from shopping centers (Ikea Brescia) to tourist resorts (Djadsal Holiday Club, Mindelhotel), as well as industrial facilities and marinas.
These experiences laid the groundwork for a new phase of expansion: in the early 1990s, the Group began an in-depth strategic review aimed at diversifying its activities, which until then had been mainly focused on the real estate sector. An analysis of international tourism markets highlighted the strong growth of organized tourism and the need to introduce new, authentic destinations not yet included in traditional travel circuits.
The idea was clear: to build and directly manage an innovative tourism model in a frontier location capable of expressing environmental, cultural, and social uniqueness.
1994 – The turning point
The birth of the Cape Verde project
The meeting of strategic vision, operational expertise, and the desire to explore new frontiers led to the choice of Cape Verde, an African archipelago south of the Canary Islands. In the early 1990s, the country presented itself as a pristine, largely unexplored destination, rich in potential and characterized by unique conditions: a strategic location (6 hours’ flight from Europe), a mild year-round climate, political stability, and a legal framework favorable to investment.
Despite these advantages, there were significant challenges: inadequate infrastructure, a lack of skilled labor, dependence on imports, and high transportation costs.
It was precisely these challenges that became the opportunity to create a long-term project capable of generating real and lasting value.
The Cape Verde Project
Andrea Stefanina’s vision
Thanks to his pioneering spirit and sensitivity to local culture, Andrea Stefanina launched the Cape Verde project through Stefanina Group in the early 1990s. Within a few years, the country evolved from an unknown reality into an emerging and increasingly appreciated tourist destination, eventually establishing itself as a rapidly growing international destination.
“My entrepreneurial vocation has always been guided by care and attention to the social dimension of every investment. The purpose of the activities in Cape Verde was not merely economic development, but the creation of structural and lasting value for the population and the territory in which I chose to commit myself, with risks and sacrifices. Almost 40 years after the beginning of my activity, I can say it was worth it.”
Eng. Andrea Stefanina
From the very beginning, the project was built on respect for Cape Verdean traditions, culture, and the environment, establishing strong and trust-based relationships with local institutions and communities.
The objective was clear from the outset: to create a bridge between Italy and Cape Verde, fostering sustainable economic growth through responsible investments and high value-added projects.
The evolution into Italinvest
In recent years, this journey led to the establishment of Italinvest S.A., a Cape Verdean holding company that now coordinates all the Group’s operational activities across the archipelago. Italinvest is rooted in the solid foundations, extensive partnerships, and significant investments developed over the years by the companies of the Stefanina Group.
Today, Italinvest represents the culmination of a long entrepreneurial evolution, bringing together tourism, construction, real estate, transport, agri-food, and territorial redevelopment projects.
The Group continues to develop high-potential initiatives in a country characterized by strong growth rates and a climate of openness to international investment.
Currently, Italinvest brings together numerous companies, multiple projects, and production units in Cape Verde, as well as initiatives under development totaling over €100 million, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 400 people.
The importance of the Group goes beyond its own size—not only because of the macroeconomic impact it generates, but also for the message of confidence it conveys to national and international investors, contributing decisively to Cape Verde’s active integration into the global context.
1975
1983
1995
Caboverdetime
Incomnig & pleasure
2000
2009
Hotel Sobrado
2012
Halos Group
&
Halos Investimentos
2015
Italinvest
2025
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Invest with Us
The Group offers investment opportunities in the tourism, real estate, industrial, and agri-food sectors, ensuring solidity, transparency, and a long-term vision.