List of Famous people born in Sotavento Islands

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha ComM, commonly known as Nani, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger and captain for Major League Soccer side Orlando City SC. He represented Portugal in international football, and has played over 100 times for the senior national team.

Élisabeth Moreno is a French-Cape Verdean businesswoman and politician who has been serving as Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities at the Prime Minister’s Office in the government of Prime Minister Jean Castex since 2020.

Walter Samuel "Edy" Tavares da Veiga is a Cape Verdean professional basketball player for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He was selected with the 43rd overall pick in 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks and has played internationally for the Cape Verde national basketball team. Tavares receives praise as a physical phenomenon, standing 7'3" tall and possessing a 7'9" wingspan.

Gelson Dany Batalha Martins is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Ligue 1 club Monaco and the Portugal national team.

José Luís Mendes Andrade, known as Zé Luís, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays for Russian club FC Lokomotiv Moscow as a striker.

Jorge Djaniny Tavares Semedo, known as Djaniny, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor as a forward.

Anilton César Varela da Silva, also known as Pany Varela, is a futsal player who plays for Sporting CP as a winger. Born in Cape Verde, he represents Portugal internationally.

Adelino Augusto da Graça Barbosa Barros, known as Neno, was a Portuguese professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Gelson da Conceição Tavares Fernandes is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

José Maria Pereira Neves is a Cape Verdean politician who was Prime Minister of Cape Verde from 2001 to 2016. He is a member of the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV).