It was opened in October 2005,[3] replacing the old Francisco Mendes International Airport.

It is located about 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of the city centre of Praia in the southeastern part of the island of Santiago.

[2] In January 2012 a Cape Verde government statement noted that Praia International Airport was renamed after South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela, an icon for freedom in Africa, not without controversy.

[4] Modernization works, including a new departures hall, were scheduled for completion in July 2018.

The company will be responsible for the funding, operation, maintenance, extension and modernization of the airports for 40 years, alongside its subsidiary ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal, which holds 30% of the concession company Cabo Verde Airports.