Sao Tome and Principe
National Flag |
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Map |
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Basic Information |
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in the southeast of the Gulf of Guinea on the central western side of Africa, with an area of around 1,001 square kilometres. It is composed of 14 isles including São Tomé, Príncipe, Rolas, and Caroço. By the end of 2021, the population is about 223 thousands. The capital city São Tomé is the largest city of the country. |
Investment Situation |
In recent years, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe has taken pro-active measures to improve the investment environment, attract foreign investment, construct highways and other infrastructure and develop actively tourism and seek for offshore oil development, which have helped to maintain the economy in steady growth. São Tomé and Príncipe is an agricultural country that produce cocoa and other cash crops, 51% of the population is engaged in agricultural production. The main cash crop is cocoa, dried coconuts, coffee and Palm oil. The unique geographical location, coupled with the beautiful natural landscape, provides São Tomé and Príncipe with rich tourism resources. At the same time, oil industry still in the initial stage of development, and the country has relatively rich forest, with biological and fishery resources. The “2022 World Investment Report” published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), pointed out that by the end of 2021, São Tomé and Principe has attracted US$430 million on stock of inward direct investment. According to the “2021 Statistical Bulletin of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment”, by the end of 2021, the stock of direct investment of China in São Tomé and Principe was US$690 thousand. |
Trade in Goods |
In 2021, the main export destinations of São Tomé and Príncipe are the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Germany, and the main export goods are cocoa, palm oil dried coconuts, coffee, etc. The main origins for imports are Portugal, Angola, Togo and China. The main import goods are grain, fuels, industrial products, and consumer goods. In 2022, China’s exports to São Tomé and Príncipe amounted to US$15.3 million, mainly include steel plates, welded pipe, footwear; imports from São Tomé and Príncipe amounted to US$150 thousands, mainly include industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining. |
Economic Indicator
2020(a) |
2021(a) |
2022(b) |
2023(b) |
|
Population (thousand) |
218 |
223 |
227 |
232 |
GDP (US$ million) |
477 |
518 |
506 |
534 |
Real GDP Growth Rate (%) |
3.0 |
1.9 |
1.4 |
2.6 |
Total Export of Goods (US$ million) |
23.8 |
20.9 |
18.9 |
23.8 |
Total Import of Goods (US$ million) |
138.1 |
166.3 |
173.3 |
179.0 |
Total Export of Services (US$ million) |
35.4 |
54.5 |
62.8(c) |
67.2(c) |
Total Import of Services (US$ million) |
43.4 |
49.1 |
59.6(c) |
69.6(c) |
Consumer Price Index (%) |
9.8 |
8.1 |
15.0 |
11.2 |
Current Account Balance (US$ million) |
-53 |
-59- |
-70 |
-59 |
Exchange Rate (São Tomé and Príncipe dobra STD: US dollars USD, Period Average) |
21.5 |
20.7 |
23.3(c) |
23.3(c) |
Remarks: (a) actual value; (b) estimated value of International Monetary Fund (IMF); (c) estimated value of Oxford Economics
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF), Oxford Economics “Country Economic Forecast – São Tomé and Príncipe (Sep 2022)”
Main Export and Import Place of Goods
Main Export Destinations (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value of Exports Goods (%) |
The Netherlands |
41.4 |
Belgium |
19.6 |
Portugal |
12.0 |
Germany |
8.3 |
Others |
18.7 |
Main Import Origins (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value of Imports Goods (%) |
Portugal |
49.3 |
Angola |
12.0 |
Togo |
9.4 |
China |
7.2 |
Others |
22.1 |
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Major Imports and Exports of Goods
Major Exports of Goods (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value of Exports Goods (%) |
Cocoa and cocoa products |
60.5 |
Animal or vegetable fats and oil and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes |
32.9 |
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts |
2.4 |
Others |
4.2 |
Major Imports of Goods (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value of Imports Goods (%) |
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes |
19.6 |
Drinks, wine and vinegar |
8.0 |
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles |
6.7 |
Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock and parts |
6.1 |
Others |
59.6 |
Source: International Trade Center (ITC)
Major Imports and Exports of Services
Main Exports of Services (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value Exports of Services (%) |
Tourism |
54.4 |
Government goods and services n.i.e. |
33.3 |
Telecommunications, computer and information services |
3.5 |
Other |
8.8 |
Main Imports of Services (2021) |
Proportion of Total Value Imports of Services (%) |
Transport |
44.0 |
Other business service |
18.0 |
Government goods and services n.i.e. |
6.0 |
Other |
32.0 |
Remarks:The above content is based on estimated value of UNCTAD, WTO and ITC.
Source:International Trade Centre (ITC)
Statistics on the Trade of Goods between Mainland China and São Tomé and Príncipe (US$ ten thousands)
Year |
Total Trade |
Total Exports Value* |
Total Imports Value** |
2022 |
1,543.8 |
1,528.8 |
1.5 |
2021 |
1,507.7 |
1,494.5 |
13.3 |
2020 |
2,033.2 |
2,028.6 |
4.7 |
2019 |
893.4 |
892.1 |
1.4 |
2018 |
730.5 |
725.5 |
5 |
Remarks: *Value of goods exported to São Tomé and Príncipe from Mainland China; **Value of goods imported from São Tomé and Príncipe to Mainland China
Source of Data: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Statistics on the Trade of Goods between the Macao SAR and São Tomé and Príncipe (US$) (USD 1 » MOP 8)
Year |
Total Trade |
Total Exports* |
Total Imports** |
2022 |
740 |
– |
740 |
Remarks: *Value of goods exported to São Tomé and Príncipe from Macao; **Value of goods imported from São Tomé and Príncipe to Macao.
Source of Data: Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macao SAR Government
Source of Data:
- People’s Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
- “2021 Statistical Bulletin of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment” by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, National Bureau of Statistics and State Administration of Foreign Exchange
- SinoMaps Press
- Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macao SAR Government
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- International Trade Center (ITC)
- “2022 World Investment Report” by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- “Country Economic Forecast – São Tomé and Príncipe (Sep 2022)” by Oxford Economics
Updated in March 2023.