A Practical Guide

Investments

Roça Sundy

The APC I—Agency for the Promotion of Trade and Investment—serves as the One-Stop Investment Center in São Tomé and Príncipe. It offers personalized service and support both before and after your project is approved.

Key sectors for investment include TOURISM: The best-preserved island tourist destination in Equatorial Africa, featuring idyllic beaches surrounded by lush natural beauty and enjoyable year-round. Unique biodiversity both at sea and on land. The country offers specific tax incentives for the tourism sector.

FISHERIES: São Tomé and Príncipe has a vast maritime territory—approximately 160 times larger than its land area—with diverse fishery resources and
a wide variety of fish species.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The government’s strategic vision is to transform São Tomé and Príncipe into a “hub” for maritime and port services, serving the Gulf of Guinea subregion.

AGRICULTURE
: São Tomé and Príncipe has very favorable climate and soil conditions for agricultural development.

TOURISM
One of Equatorial Africa’s best-preserved island tourist destinations, featuring idyllic beaches surrounded by lush natural beauty that can be enjoyed year-round. Unique biodiversity both on land and at sea.
The country offers specific tax incentives for the tourism sector.

Business opportunities:

  • Sun and Sea Tourism
  • Hotels, Resorts, and Similar Establishments
  • Low-cost air travel
  • Nature tourism and ecotourism
  • Conversion of farmlands into tourist attractions.


FISHING

São Tomé and Príncipe has a vast maritime territory, approximately 160 times larger than its land area, with diverse fishery resources and a wide variety of fish species.

The most significant species are large pelagic fish, such as swordfish and tuna.

Business opportunities:

  • Semi-industrial fishing
  • Fish processing
  • Fishing and export of shellfish and seafood.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The strategic vision defined by the government is to transform São Tomé and Príncipe into a “hub” for maritime and port services, serving the Gulf of Guinea subregion.

Business opportunities:

  • Construction and operation of a deep-water port
  • Construction/Expansion, Modernization, and Management of the Airport
  • Civil engineering—(construction of roads, bridges, etc.)
  • Construction of housing complexes
  • Shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance
  • Bunkering and port handling

AGRICULTURE

São Tomé and Príncipe has very favorable climate and soil conditions for agricultural development. Despite its small size, the country can produce high-quality organic products and compete in certain niche markets internationally.

Special tax incentives for investment in the agricultural sector.

Business opportunities:

  • Export of organic cocoa / premium processing of cocoa and its derivatives
  • Export of coffee (Robusta and Arabica) / premium processing of coffee products
  • Export of organic pepper / processing and premium packaging
  • Export of vanilla / processing, packaging, and export.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Production and bottling of mineral water
  • Processing and preservation of tropical fruits and vegetables
  • Processing and preservation of fish and other seafood products
  • Development of hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric power plants