Share the page
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island State in the Gulf of Guinea. It suffers from its isolation and is struggling to diversify its economy, which is highly dependent on an agriculture that is still not very productive or diversified and mainly focuses on cocoa production. AFD is supporting the country in this sector with the aim of promoting sustainable and fair agriculture.
Context
A former Portuguese colony until 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe is an archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea that forms part of a volcanic chain. With a surface area of around 1,001 km² and a population of nearly 250,000 (2026), São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) identified by UNDESA and is particularly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise.
Due to its insular nature, the country faces numerous challenges. It is highly dependent on imports of capital goods, food, and petroleum products used to power thermal plants. Its isolation also significantly increases the cost of imports and exports. Limited land and human resources constrain economic diversification, and the economy remains largely dominated by agriculture (cocoa, coffee, pepper, and palm oil) and fisheries.
However, some sectors, such as tourism, are expanding. AFD has supported the archipelago since 1976 and is currently active in the agricultural sector, promoting stronger structuring of the sector and supporting the development of organic and fair-trade agriculture.
AFD’s work in São Tomé and Príncipe is overseen by the Central Africa Regional Directorate.
Our approach
AFD and São Tomé and Príncipe: Supporting the agriculture sector
AFD’s work in the country aims to support the development of agricultural value chains that promote biodiversity conservation, while also reconciling ecosystem preservation with improved living conditions for local populations.
This is being implemented through the Trade Capacity Building Program (PRCC), known as BIOFLOR+, financed by AFD with €2 million.
In the field
News & Press Releases
ACP-EU Supports Digital Connectivity in the Caribbean in the Face of COVID-19
In consultation with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the European Union (EU) is funding the DIRECCT (DIgital REsponse Connecting CiTizens) programme to strengthen th...
Key figures
-
€2 million in ongoing project portfolio as of December 31, 2025
-
50 years of activity in São Tomé and Príncipe