The following lists events that happened during 1986 in Cape Verde.

• President: Aristides Pereira
• Prime Minister: Pedro Pires

• Jardim Botânico Nacional Grandvaux Barbosa, Cape Verde's only botanical garden created

• January 11: Djô, footballer
• February 23: Sidnei, footballer
• April 2: Tuga, footballer
• April 14: David Renato Cruz Coronel, nickname: Bijou, footballer
• April 16: Platini (Cape Verdean footballer)
• June 3: Josimar Dias, later Vozinha, footballer
• June 13: Toni Varela, footballer
• July 14: Osvaldo Tavares Oliveira, later Figo, footballer
• July 20: Patas, footballer
• August 9: Wania Monteiro, athlete
• September 2: Gélson Fernandes, footballer
• November 17: Nani, footballer
• December 4: Aires Marques, or Alex, footballer