Neves demonstrated pre-eminent leadership ability as a militant of the youth organization "Amilcar Cabral African Youth" (JAAC) and as leader of this Organization in 1989. As leader of the Youth Organization of the ruling Party, he played an important role in the transition for the democratization of the political system in Cabo-Verde. Thus, his existing positive rapport and popularity with the youth is something that was conceived with tremendous allegiance and empathy with youth adversity.
Upon Prime Minister José Maria Neves' successful completion of his studies in Brazil, he showed his loyalty to his mother country by faithfully returning to Cabo-Verde to put into practice his administration expertise by becoming a pioneer in the process of State reform. Therefore, from mid-late 1980's to mid 1990's, he manifested a prominent role in the transition from the colonial State to a modern Democratic State:
José Maria Pereira Neves was born on March 28, 1960 in the District of Santa Catarina, in the Island of Santiago. Having completed both his primary education and his secondary education in Cabo-Verde in the early 1980's, during an epoch that solely a selective group of students acquired scholarships to study overseas, the avid, youthful Neves responsibly completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Public Administration from the Business Administration School of Sao Paulo, Brazil (EAESP).
Although young and new in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Head of the Executive Branch of the Republic of Cabo-Verde, as a child from the Generation of Independence", he possesses plenteous political experience. During the first years of independence,
Coordinator of the Administration Reform and Modernization Projects from 1987 to 1988;
Director of the National Public Administration Training Center (CENFA) from 1988 to 1989;
Consultant in Organizational Development, Human Resources Management and Professional Training from 1987 to 1996;
Consultant/Training provider in Organizational Theory, Conflict Management and Local Government Management and Leadership since 1987;
Consultant/Training provider in Organizational Theory, Conflict Management and Local Government Management and Leadership since 1987;
Assistant Professor in the School of Management (higher education).
Moreover, Prime Minister Neves decided to exhibit his leadership qualities more on a political level. From 1996 to 2000, he served as the member of the Parliament elected by the District of Santa Catarina. During this period, as member of the opposition party, he became 2º Vice-President of the Parliament and Chairman of the Specialized Committee on Public Administration, Local Government and Regional Development. During this period as representative of the opposition party in the Parliament, he was active in the consolidation of democracy in Cabo-Verde.
Prime Minister Neves further illustrated his leadership skills at the local level when he was elected Mayor of the District of Santa Catarina in March 2000. He was instrumental in reinforcing the local power, which became an important piece of the caboverdian democracy.
Elected President of the "Partido Africano da Independência de Cabo Verde" (PAICV) in June 2000, he led his Party to the victory at the legislative elections of January 14, 2001. He was designated Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo-Verde on February 1st, 2001.
Finally, more recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended the Government led by Prime Minister José Maria Neves for its success in overcoming Cabo-Verde's financial crisis in an impressive one year period; thus, eliciting promising future for Cabo-Verde and New África leadership.
