Sao Tome and Principe
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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 2023, the population is about 230 thousands. The capital city São Tomé is the largest city of the country. |
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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 “2023 World Investment Report” published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), pointed out that by the end of 2022, São Tomé and Principe has attracted US$490 million on stock of inward direct investment. According to the “2022 Statistical Bulletin of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment”, by the end of 2022, the stock of direct investment of China in São Tomé and Principe was US$510 thousand. |
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Trade in Goods |
In 2022, the main export destinations of São Tomé and Príncipe are the Netherlands and Belgium, , and the main export goods are palm oil, cocoa, fossil fuels, etc. The main origins for imports are Portugal and Angola,. The main import goods are fuels, electrical equipment and parts and drinks. In 2023, China’s exports to São Tomé and Príncipe amounted to US$10 million, mainly include footwear solar battery, welded pipe; imports from São Tomé and Príncipe amounted to US$70 thousands, mainly include mechanical parts, engine covers. |
Main Economic Indicator of recent three years
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2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
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Population (million) |
0.22 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
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GDP (US$ billion) |
0.53 |
0.55 |
0.66 |
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Real GDP Growth Rate (%) |
1.9 |
0.1 |
-0.3 |
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Total Export of Goods (US$ million) |
21 |
22 |
20 |
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Total Import of Goods (US$ million) |
166 |
196 |
186 |
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Total Export of Services (US$ million) |
54* |
65* |
– |
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Total Import of Services (US$ million) |
49* | 49* |
– |
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Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (Annual Inflation rate%) |
8.1 |
18.0 |
21.2 |
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Current Account Balance (US$ billion) |
-0.064 |
-0.072 |
-0.084 |
Source: “*” Data from World Trade Organization (WTO) and the other from International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Statistics on the Trade of Goods between Mainland China and São Tomé and Príncipe of recent three years (US$ thousands)
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Year |
Total Trade |
Total Exports Value |
Total Imports Value |
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2023 |
11,634 |
11,565 |
69 |
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2022 |
15,438 |
15,288 |
150 |
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2021 |
15,077 |
14,945 |
133 |
Remarks: “ Exports” refers of goods exported to São Tomé and Príncipe from Mainland China; “ Imports” refers 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 of recent three years (US$) (USD 1 ≈ MOP 8)
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Year |
Total Trade |
Total Exports Value |
Total Imports Value |
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2023 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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2022 |
740 |
0 |
740 |
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2021 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Remarks: “ Exports” refers of goods exported to São Tomé and Príncipe from Macao; “ Imports” refers 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
- “2022 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)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- International Trade Center (ITC)
- “2023 World Investment Report” by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Updated in April 2024.
