Promote:
Invest in São Tomé and Príncipe
A short guide for companies expanding into São Tomé and Príncipe: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. São Tomé and Príncipe at a glance
PopulationEstimate
240,254
Population was 240,254 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$981.3 million
GDP was US$981,293,587 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP in current dollars, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$4,084
GDP per person was US$4,084 in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: World Bank WDI, GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growthEstimate
1.0%
Real GDP growth was 1.0 percent in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
8.3%
Consumer prices in the city of São Tomé were 8.3 percent higher in September 2026 than a year earlier.
Source: INE, consumer price index note, September 2026 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
The currency is the dobra.
Source: BCSTP, exchange rate table, October 30, 2026 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
Investment applications go to APCI, the agency the Investment Code names for receiving, coordinating and registering investment projects.
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
The Investment Code names no reserved sectors; Article 4 only refers to areas that other laws reserve to the State.
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
The Investment Code lets the government favor investment by development zone; no official list or count of zones was found on the pages checked.
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in São Tomé and Príncipe
- File the investment application with APCI, with a project sheet, investment and financing details and a viability study.Agência de Promoção do Comércio e Investimento (APCI)Optional opinion on a draft project within 8 daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
- APCI sends the file to customs, planning and tax services for opinions, then to the planning minister for decision.Agência de Promoção do Comércio e Investimento (APCI)Opinions within 5 working days; APCI submits within 48 hoursOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
- After approval, sign the administrative investment contract with the State and obtain the Investment Registration Certificate (CRIP) from APCI.Agência de Promoção do Comércio e Investimento (APCI)CRIP issued within 3 days of approvalOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
- For a project with foreign capital, a record is made at the central bank for foreign exchange control.Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe (BCSTP)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
Show 1 more set-up step
- Once the project is carried out, transfer dividends, liquidation proceeds and royalties abroad after taxes, through the foreign exchange law.Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe (BCSTP)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with APCI and BCSTP. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- São Tomé and Príncipe is a very small state: this guide lists every national body found with official evidence dated 2025 or later, nine in all. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Trade and investment promotion agency
APCI
Agência de Promoção do Comércio e Investimento
Receives investment applications, gathers other services' opinions and issues the investment registration certificate under the Investment Code.
Visit APCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Investment Code, Decree-Law 19/2016, WIPO Lex copy (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 17, 2016
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BCSTP
Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe
Sets the foreign exchange rules for export proceeds and publishes exchange rates and balance of payments data.
Visit BCSTP (opens in a new tab)Source: BCSTP, foreign exchange operations rule NAP 06/2024 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 5, 2024
Show 2 more organizations
- Research markets
Regional economy secretariat
SRTEC
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Economia e da Cultura
Covers trade, small business support and foreign investment attraction for Príncipe Island.
Visit SRTEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Príncipe government, economy secretariat page (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Regional government
Príncipe Government
Governo da Região Autónoma do Príncipe
Runs regional secretariats for the economy, finance, customs and tourism of Príncipe Island.
Customs and tax
- Research markets
Regional finance secretariat
SRFAP
Secretaria Regional das Finanças e Administração Pública
Oversees customs, tax and statistics services for Príncipe Island.
Visit SRFAP (opens in a new tab)Source: Príncipe government, finance secretariat page (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
Commercial arbitration center
CA-CCIAS
Centro de Arbitragem da Câmara de Comércio, Indústria, Agricultura e Serviços
Settles commercial and investment disputes through arbitration and mediation.
Visit CA-CCIAS (opens in a new tab)Source: CA-CCIAS, about the center page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
Exporters must bring proceeds home within 180 days, and banks pass 25 percent of export foreign currency to the central bank each month.
What to do: Check the 25 percent conversion rule with your bank before you set prices.
Sources: BCSTP, foreign exchange operations rule NAP 06/2024 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab); BCSTP, Governor annual speech, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Inflation
Consumer prices in the city of São Tomé were 8.3 percent higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, and the central bank keeps a restrictive stance.
What to do: Check price-adjustment terms in long contracts before you sign.
Sources: INE, consumer price index note, September 2026 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab); BCSTP, Governor annual speech, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Public debt and arrears
The central bank governor reports debt service pressure and the end of grace periods on past international commitments.
What to do: Ask the finance ministry about payment terms before you contract with a public body.
Source: BCSTP, Governor annual speech, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Fuel supply
The central bank governor says the main fuel supplier suspended fuel credit, which raised production costs and prices.
What to do: Ask your fuel and power suppliers about supply terms before you size a project.
Source: BCSTP, Governor annual speech, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more
Informal economy
The central bank governor says informality is high, with more than 80 percent of micro and small enterprises operating informally.
What to do: Check that local partners and suppliers are formally registered before you contract.
Source: BCSTP, Governor annual speech, 2025 (in Portuguese) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare São Tomé and Príncipe with other countriesSet São Tomé and Príncipe beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:São Tomé and Príncipe is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.