AGP Executive Report

Election Watch: The MLSTP/PSD narrowly won São Tomé and Príncipe’s September 27 election with 24 seats, against 23 for the ruling ADI. Turnout fell to a record-low 41.3%. MLSTP/PSD leader Américo Barros says he will seek a minority government, with ADI support, and has ruled out a deal with the smaller parties. Conservation: A new model links protection of the islands’ forests and wildlife with sustainable livelihoods, aiming to curb illegal logging and poaching. The country’s entire territory is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Economic Outlook: São Tomé and Príncipe was among eight countries to graduate from the UN’s least-developed-country category since 1994. The IMF says graduation alone does not determine future growth. Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is included in the U.S. visa-bond programme, which can require visitor-visa applicants to post up to $20,000; its citizens also qualify for up to 30 days visa-free in the Philippines. Football: The national team drew 0-0 with Gibraltar in a September friendly.

Election Watch: The opposition MLSTP/PSD narrowly won São Tomé and Príncipe’s September 27 election with 24 seats, ahead of the ruling ADI’s 23. Leader Américo Barros says he will seek a minority government tolerated by ADI; turnout hit a record low of 41.3%. Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 46 African countries whose citizens qualify for up to 30 days of visa-free entry to the Philippines. Its nationals are also on the US visa-bond list, meaning some eligible B1/B2 applicants may be required to post a bond of $10,000 to $20,000. Conservation: A report highlights the country’s effort to link biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods, including alternatives to illegal logging and wildlife poaching. Regional Affairs: São Tomé and Príncipe is among the countries represented in IMBISA, whose church officials are meeting to strengthen responses to conflict, forced migration and other regional challenges.

Election Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s September 27 vote produced a narrow win for the opposition MLSTP/PSD, with 24 seats to the ruling ADI’s 23. MLSTP/PSD leader Américo Barros says he will seek a minority government tolerated by ADI, while ruling out an alliance with smaller parties. Turnout hit a record low of 41.3%. Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 46 African countries eligible for up to 30 days of visa-free travel to the Philippines. Its citizens are also on the updated US visa-bond list, which allows bonds of up to $20,000 for eligible visitor-visa applicants; requirements vary by country. Conservation: A report highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve approach, linking habitat protection with sustainable livelihoods and local businesses.

Election: The MLSTP/PSD narrowly won São Tomé and Príncipe’s 27 September election with 24 seats and 37.5% of the vote, ahead of the ADI’s 23 seats. Leader Américo Barros says he will seek a minority government tolerated by the ADI; turnout hit a record low of 41.3%. Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 50 countries whose nationals face a US visa bond of up to $20,000 for eligible visitor visas. Its citizens are also eligible for up to 30 days of visa-free travel to the Philippines. Conservation: A new model aims to link protection of the islands’ exceptional biodiversity with sustainable livelihoods, including alternatives to illegal timber harvesting and wildlife poaching. Health: São Tomé and Príncipe is among African countries in a pooled procurement initiative intended to improve access to affordable medicines and medical supplies.

Election Watch: The opposition MLSTP/PSD narrowly won São Tomé and Príncipe’s 27 September election with 24 seats and 37.5% of the vote, ahead of the ruling ADI’s 23 seats and 36.6%. Leader Américo Barros says he will seek a minority government tolerated by ADI, ruling out an alliance with smaller parties. Turnout hit a record-low 41.3%. Travel Rules: São Toméan citizens are among those eligible for up to 30 days visa-free in the Philippines. They are also on the United States’ visa-bond list, which can require eligible B1/B2 applicants to post $10,000–$20,000. Health Supplies: São Tomé and Príncipe is among the countries in Africa’s pooled medicine procurement mechanism, which aims to improve access and affordability. Conservation: A recent report highlights the country’s approach to linking biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods across its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 46 African countries whose citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days. U.S. Visas: São Tomé and Príncipe is also on the U.S. visa-bond list; eligible visitor-visa applicants may be required to post $10,000 to $20,000, with the amount set at interview. Conservation: A report highlights the country’s biosphere-reserve model, noting that its entire territory is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and that conservation efforts seek to support sustainable livelihoods. Economic Outlook: The IMF says São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2024 graduation from least-developed-country status did not, by itself, determine growth: average growth among recent graduates was broadly unchanged before and after graduation. Football: The national team held Gibraltar to a 0-0 friendly draw as Gibraltar began a six-match unbeaten run.

US Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 50 countries whose nationals may be required to post a bond of up to $20,000 for a US visitor visa; the amount is set during the visa interview. Philippines Access: São Toméan passport holders qualify for visa-free visits of up to 30 days under the Philippines’ entry rules. Conservation: A report highlights the country’s approach to linking biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods, including alternatives to poaching and illegal logging. Football: São Tomé and Príncipe drew 0-0 with Gibraltar in a friendly during the European side’s recent unbeaten run. Health Supplies: São Tomé and Príncipe is among the countries participating in Africa’s pooled procurement mechanism for medicines and medical supplies.

Reparations Diplomacy: President Carlos Vila Nova’s statement appears alongside other leaders’ contributions in a Ghanaian foreign ministry edition on reparations and a UN resolution addressing the enslavement of Africans. Travel: São Tomé and Príncipe is among 50 countries whose citizens may be required to post a US visa bond of up to $20,000 for eligible business or tourist visas; the amount and start date depend on the applicant’s circumstances. São Tomeans are also eligible for visa-free visits of up to 30 days to the Philippines. Parliament: The MLSTP won 24 of 55 seats, short of a majority, leaving smaller parties pivotal in talks on the next government. Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe is promoting a model that links biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods and local economic activity.

Parliamentary Politics: São Tomé and Príncipe’s main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s polls (24 of 55), but fell short of a majority, leaving the MCI-PS/PUN (6 seats) a potential kingmaker as negotiations begin over the next government. Biodiversity & Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe highlights its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, with a conservation model that links protected nature to sustainable livelihoods to curb illegal logging, charcoal and wildlife poaching. Health Procurement: Libya signed on to the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism via Africa CDC, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen access to essential medicines and support local production. LDC Graduation Watch: An IMF review notes that LDC graduation hasn’t automatically changed growth rates, while pointing to lessons from Cabo Verde and Bhutan—relevant as São Tomé and Príncipe prepares for its post-graduation path. US Travel Rules: The US expanded a visa-bond programme for B1/B2 tourist and business visas, requiring eligible applicants from 50 countries to post up to $20,000—while São Tomé and Príncipe appears in related e-visa lists, not the bond list. Regional Business: Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is reshaping its dealer network across West and Central Africa, with Movicortes expanding coverage to include São Tomé and Príncipe.

Parliamentary Polls in São Tomé and Príncipe: The main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s legislative elections, taking 24 of 55—short of the 28 needed for a majority—while President Carlos Vila Nova’s Independent Democratic Action took about 23; the MCI-PS/PUN (six seats) could become the kingmaker as talks begin, with the next government facing unemployment, emigration, and pressure on public services, infrastructure, and water and electricity. Health Supply Cooperation: Libya signed an MoU with Africa CDC to join the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe, aiming to strengthen collective purchasing of medicines and medical supplies. Conservation and Livelihoods: São Tomé and Príncipe highlights a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve model that links biodiversity protection with sustainable economic activity, shifting communities away from illegal logging and poaching toward lower-impact livelihoods. Local Business/Industry: Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is reshaping its dealer network across West and Central Africa, with Movicortes expanding territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe.

Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: The national electoral commission says the main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary polls, taking 24 of 55—short of the 28-seat majority—while President Carlos Vila Nova’s Independent Democratic Action won about 23, making the MCI-PS/PUN a likely kingmaker as negotiations begin amid worries over jobs, emigration, and basic services. IMF on LDC graduation: An IMF review highlights that São Tomé and Príncipe graduated from least developed country status in 2024, noting graduation alone hasn’t clearly sped up or slowed growth, with outcomes shaped by shocks, tourism dependence, disasters, and the pandemic. Conservation model in UNESCO biosphere: São Tomé and Príncipe is spotlighted for a new conservation approach that ties protection of endemic biodiversity and sea turtle nesting areas to sustainable livelihoods, shifting communities away from illegal timber, charcoal, and poaching. Health procurement cooperation: Libya has joined the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism via Africa CDC, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among participating countries—aiming to improve access and affordability of medicines and supplies. Business update: Hitachi is reshaping its construction equipment dealer network across West and Central Africa, with Movicortes expanding territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe.

Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: The main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary polls, taking 24 of 55, but fell short of an outright majority; the president-backed Independent Democratic Action took about 23, leaving the MCI-PS/PUN as a potential kingmaker as talks begin on forming the next government amid unemployment, emigration, and pressure on public services. Biodiversity and conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe is highlighted as a global biodiversity hotspot and the first country with 100% of its territory declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with a new conservation model tying protection to sustainable livelihoods to curb illegal logging, charcoal and wildlife poaching. IMF on LDC graduation: An IMF review notes that LDC graduation doesn’t automatically speed up or slow growth, citing São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2024 graduation among only eight since 1994, with growth patterns broadly unchanged around 2.9% before and after. Health supply cooperation: Libya signed on to the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism via Africa CDC, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen access to medicines and medical supplies. Business and infrastructure: Hitachi is reshaping its dealer network across West and Central Africa, expanding coverage to include São Tomé and Príncipe.

Biodiversity & Jobs: São Tomé and Príncipe is rolling out a new UNESCO Biosphere Reserve conservation model that ties protection of endemic land and nesting sea turtles to sustainable livelihoods, replacing illegal timber, charcoal and turtle/shark poaching with lower-impact micro-enterprises. Politics & Youth Exodus: In Sunday’s parliamentary polls, the main opposition MLSTP won the most seats (24 of 55) but fell short of a majority, setting up coalition talks as voters demand jobs, better services and action to slow emigration. Health Procurement: Libya has joined the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism via Africa CDC, joining São Tomé and Príncipe and others to improve access and affordability of medicines and strengthen local health supply chains. Regional Business: Hitachi is reshaping its construction equipment dealer network across West and Central Africa, expanding Movicortes’ territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe. Economy Watch: A report on Africa’s currency performance in September 2026 places the São Tomé and Príncipe dobra among the weakest by exchange-rate measure, highlighting ongoing pressure on import costs.

Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: The main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary polls, taking 24 of 55, while President Carlos Vila Nova’s party, the Independent Democratic Action, came second with about 23—leaving MLSTP short of a majority and making smaller parties, including MCI-PS/PUN, potential kingmakers. Voter priorities: With unemployment, emigration, and pressure on public services, infrastructure, and water/electricity topping concerns, many voters say the next government must turn campaign promises into jobs and better living conditions. Electoral process: The National Electoral Commission reported parliamentary, municipal, and Príncipe regional elections began on 27 September, with about 142,000 eligible voters and seven parties contesting 55 seats, monitored with international observer participation. Health procurement in Africa: Libya signed onto the Africa CDC’s African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe to improve access to medicines and health supplies. Local business/industry: Hitachi is reshaping its dealer network across West and Central Africa, with Movicortes expanding territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe.

Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: Parliamentary, municipal and regional elections began on 27 September, with about 142,000 eligible voters and seven parties contesting 55 National Assembly seats; international observers are monitoring, and President Carlos Vila Nova urged calm and high turnout. Opposition momentum: The main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary polls but fell short of a majority, leaving coalition talks and the MCI-PS/PUN as a potential kingmaker as voters demand jobs and better public services. US visa rules with local impact: The US State Department published a list of 50 countries whose citizens must post refundable visa bonds of $10,000–$20,000 for B1/B2 visitor visas; 30 are African, and São Tomé and Príncipe is among the affected countries, meaning travelers may face new financial steps before interviews. Health procurement cooperation: Libya signed an MoU with Africa CDC to join the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen access to medicines and medical supplies. Local business/industry: Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is reshaping its dealer network, with Movicortes expanding territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe for construction equipment sales and support.

Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe: The main opposition MLSTP won the most seats in Sunday’s parliamentary polls, taking 24 of 55, while President Carlos Vila Nova’s party, the Independent Democratic Action, won about 23; with no outright majority, the MCI-PS/PUN is set up as a potential kingmaker as talks begin to form the next government. Voter priorities: Across the islands, people are pushing for jobs, better public services, and action to slow youth emigration, with World Bank estimates putting nearly 40,000 São Toméans abroad (about 18% of the population). Regional health cooperation: Libya signed an MoU to join the Africa CDC’s African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, joining countries including São Tomé and Príncipe to boost access to medicines and supplies. Business and infrastructure: Hitachi is reshaping its dealer network across West and Central Africa, expanding Movicortes’ territory to include São Tomé and Príncipe. Sports: The next AFCON qualifying fixtures loom for São Tomé and Príncipe after regional results involving Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.