_edited.jpg){kind=small}
ADVERTISE HERE!
WHY SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
Political
São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) is well-known for its political stability, which serves as a model for democratic transitions in Central Africa. This stability, along with policies such as justice reform and the implementation of environmental legal frameworks, the adoption of a development plan as a legal instrument enhances STP's competitiveness and creates a secure environment for investors, boosting their confidence and encouraging long-term investments. Through consistent governance, the country effectively reduces economic risks associated with political instability, making it increasingly attractive to foreign investors.
Notably, STP ranks second among ECCAS countries on the Corruption Perception Index, just behind Rwanda.
Economic
São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) has recently experienced slow but steady GDP growth. In 2022, the country recorded a real growth rate of approximately 0.1%. This was followed by growth rates of 0.5% in 2023 and 1.1% in 2024. The sluggish growth can be attributed to global economic uncertainties and structural challenges. However, by 2026, the growth rate is expected to rise to around 3.6%. This anticipated increase is largely due to the government's implementation of policies to strengthen the private sector, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable development. STP's transition to middle-income country status in 2024 reflects the government's consistent progress toward development.
Societal
STP is one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, STP is the fifth country in the world and the fourth in Africa with the lowest crime rate, which makes STP one of the safest countries in which to live and work. To ensure that the exercise of citizenship and business activity is favored and justice is increasingly effective and transparent, to make the business environment more attractive and meet the demands of society, the government has been investing significantly in justice and security reform as one of its top priorities. In line with the reform of justice and security, the government has been prioritizing other social areas such as digital transformation which will provide significant gains for the development of the digital economy, improved connectivity which at the moment is over 50%, interoperability which will allow for improved public service provision to meet the demands of a growing society.
Market Access
STP's strategic location provides a competitive advantage for companies looking to establish operations in Africa. It offers quick access to markets in the Western and sub-regions, such as Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, etc., with around 2 billion consumers, thus making it an important hub for services and transformation for these markets. Additionally, STP has numerous agreements that facilitate the free movement of people and goods with several African nations. To leverage this advantage, modernization efforts for airport infrastructure and the development of a deep-water transshipment port are currently underway.
High-Quality Organic Products
Since the mid-17th century, STP’s products have garnered international attention as it emerged as a leading sugar producer in what was then a Portuguese colony. This legacy of excellence has persisted throughout the centuries, establishing STP as a key player in the global agricultural market. In recent years, STP's cocoa and chocolate have achieved remarkable recognition, being honored as the best in the world for the fifth consecutive time. This prestigious acclaim has not only elevated the country’s profile within the gourmet food industry but has also attracted significant interest from investors looking to tap into the islands' potential. Furthermore, STP is proud to promote its commitment to sustainable agriculture, with a focus on 100% organic farming practices that enhance the quality of its products while preserving the rich biodiversity of the region.
Sustainability
The São Toméan government has ratified the 2030 Agenda and has set 5 (+2) Sustainable Development Goals as priorities, within the framework of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda:
To achieve these goals, several measures have been implemented, including replacing the entire car fleet with electric vehicles (EVs) by 2050, promoting Sustainable tourism, transitioning to 100% clean and renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency programs, and adopting legal frameworks that ban the use of plastics. These initiatives and others will enhance the country’s competitiveness and create opportunities for various industries committed to innovation and sustainable development.
