São Tomé and Príncipe is presented as a small, safe, low-key African island country with a new citizenship by investment program, limited infrastructure, and long-term upside linked to tourism, energy, and possible oil and gas discoveries.
The country was described as unusually relaxed for a tourist destination in Africa. There was little harassment, few touts, and no strong feeling that visitors were being pressured for money. Petty crime and violent crime were not perceived as major issues during the trip, and the general impression was that visitors could let their guard down more than in many other African countries.
Safety stood out as one of the main positives. Belongings were left in guesthouse rooms without major concern, and the streets did not feel threatening. Police presence also appeared low-pressure. Traffic police were not described as aggressive or predatory, and many police seen locally were unarmed.
Food was another strong point. Seafood was described as fresh, local, and well prepared, with fishermen bringing in fish directly from the ocean. Examples included:
- Amberjack
- Red snapper
- Tuna steaks
- Octopus
Restaurant prices were described as reasonable. Imported beer from Portugal was cited at around 180 in local currency, and a large plate of fish with sides in a tourist restaurant was estimated at around 12 to 14. In more local places, similar food could cost around 5 or 6, with quality described as broadly comparable.
Infrastructure is functional but limited. Main roads are generally acceptable near the capital, but roads become muddy and full of potholes farther away. Electricity cuts are frequent, although accommodation with diesel generators can avoid major disruption to light, internet, and other basic needs.
Energy infrastructure is described as a major priority for the country. The citizenship by investment program is framed as a tool to bring in foreign exchange and fund infrastructure development, especially the electricity grid.
Fuel was described as relatively cheap. Gasoline was estimated at roughly $1.40 per liter, and filling a car after five or six days of driving cost a little under €30.
The country is small, with a stated population of around 250,000 on paper. Some local estimates suggest that as many as 25% of the population may have emigrated to Portugal after Portugal opened easier immigration routes to people from former Portuguese colonies. Those flows are now described as having slowed or hardened again.
Despite being poor, the country was not described as showing the same visible level of scarcity or pressure seen in some larger African countries. Basic needs appeared to be broadly covered relative to many countries in the region. Even in the capital, the streets did not feel dense or crowded.
Language and expat life are mixed. Portuguese is dominant, and the expat community is mostly Portuguese, with some French, Italians, and other Europeans. Anglophones are less common, but Portuguese expats were described as generally comfortable switching to English.
French is also unexpectedly common. Schools reportedly use French as the second language rather than English, and many people in service roles, including banks and telecom shops, can speak French comfortably. This is partly attributed to São Tomé and Príncipe’s geographic and historical connection with Gabon.
The country’s location in the Gulf of Guinea is presented as a potential long-term upside. The region contains oil and gas in countries such as Angola, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Exploration blocks in São Tomé and Príncipe have attracted major companies, including Petrobras and Shell, with TotalEnergies also mentioned as previously involved. No major oil and gas discovery is described as confirmed, but the possibility is treated as a speculative “call option” for the country.
Tourism is seen as underdeveloped. The country has beaches, calm surroundings, good food, and tropical scenery, but its tourism strategy is described as overly focused on Europe, especially Portugal. This is criticized because Portugal is seen as a weaker source market compared with wealthy travelers from nearby high-growth African countries.
Nigeria is highlighted as a missed opportunity. Lagos has significant wealth, many private jets, and a large upper class that spends heavily on travel and entertainment. São Tomé is only around a short flight away, but visa barriers and limited air connectivity make it harder to attract that market.
Air connectivity is a major weakness. The country is mainly connected to Lisbon, Angola, and Libreville in Gabon. Lisbon is the main hub, with a TAP Portugal flight that stops in Accra. There appeared to be no clear information locally about future airline expansion.
The country is described as feeling genuinely sovereign. Unlike some Caribbean citizenship by investment jurisdictions, where the United States, United Kingdom, or other outside powers are seen as applying heavy pressure, São Tomé and Príncipe is portrayed as having more room to act independently. Portugal is described as having a cooperative rather than controlling relationship with the country.
There is no British high commission in the country and no resident U.S. embassy. U.S. coverage is said to be handled from outside the country. This relative lack of outside attention is presented as a positive for people seeking a low-profile backup citizenship.
The citizenship by investment program is described as the world’s most affordable, with stated pricing of:
- $90,000 for a single applicant
- $95,000 for a family of four
The passport is presented as a “plan B” option for a wide range of applicants, including Americans, Chinese applicants, stateless people from the Middle East, Germans, and Ukrainians. Use cases include holding a backup passport, obtaining a first secure travel document, or building a more comprehensive plan involving citizenship, real estate, and possible life on the ground.
The transcript argues that having an African passport as a non-African is not unusual. It notes that expats from countries such as France, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, Lebanon, and China have naturalized or may naturalize locally, and that naturalization by non-Africans is common across parts of West Africa.
São Tomé and Príncipe is described as approachable for people who want more than just a passport. Possible on-the-ground activities mentioned include:
- Buying real estate
- Starting an eco-lodge
- Opening a restaurant
- Building a small local business
- Creating a quiet family base
The country is also described as relatively navigable for business compared with more complex African markets. It is said to rank relatively well on the corruption perception index compared with many African countries, including ahead of some EU candidate countries and possibly some newer EU entrants.
There are still significant financial and structural risks. The country has a current account deficit and capital controls. Bringing money in is described as easy, while getting money out is possible but can be expensive, especially when converting local currency into euros or dollars. Currency spreads can be high because of demand for foreign exchange.
The expat community is very small and does not have critical mass. People tend to know each other quickly, and reputation matters. This can make the country feel close-knit but also socially limited. For a single person seeking a dynamic social environment, it may become boring.
For families, the country may be more attractive. It is quiet, safe, easy to drive around, and simple to park. Sidewalks are described as spacious, and weekend activities include swimming, snorkeling, hills, coffee plantations, and cacao plantations. Affordable help is also mentioned as a family benefit.
Education is a limitation. There is no English international school mentioned. A Portuguese international school exists, meaning children would likely need to learn Portuguese. This may be acceptable for some families, especially because Portuguese is useful in Brazil, Angola, and other markets.
Daily life is described as relaxed and low-bureaucracy. Renting a car required very little paperwork: a passport copy, phone number, and a small deposit of around 100 for a new Suzuki Jimny. No driver’s license or insurance paperwork was requested in that example.
Healthcare is one of the biggest concerns. Hospitals seen locally appeared able to handle basic medical issues, but serious health problems often require evacuation or treatment in Portugal or neighboring countries. The healthcare system is described as limited, and emergency evacuation insurance is considered essential for a family living there long term.
Mosquitoes are another major negative. Malaria is described as being under control, but not absent. One long-term resident reportedly had malaria three or four times over 12 years, although he worked on a vanilla farm. Mosquito bites were described as unusually frequent, even inside the city.
Nightlife is limited. There may be only a few bars operating on a given night, although drinks and basic nightlife are affordable. The country is not comparable to a major nightlife destination, and younger people seeking a more active social scene may find it too quiet.
The overall picture is of a safe, quiet, affordable, and underdeveloped country with a very low-cost citizenship by investment program. Its appeal is strongest for people seeking a low-profile backup passport, a calm family base, or early exposure to a country with possible upside from tourism, infrastructure development, and future oil and gas discoveries.
The main caveats are limited healthcare, weak air connectivity, electricity cuts, small expat community, capital controls, mosquitoes, and the need to accept a slower, quieter lifestyle.
