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Country profile · compared with Africa

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé is home to 240k people (2025) and has an economy of $981.3m (2025), the 17th largest in Africa. Output per person of $4,084 is above the regional median of $3,021. The economy grew 1.0% in 2025, and the IMF expects 0.4% in 2026. Inflation was 11.0% in 2025, above the regional median of 3.7%. 77.7% of people have electricity (2024).

Where São Tomé stands out

  • Foreign direct investment, net inflowsShows whether other foreign investors are committing capital, which is both a signal of confidence and a measure of competition for deals.2nd highest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    2nd highest of 17 in Africa
  • People without electricityThe size of the unserved market for off-grid solar, mini-grids and grid extension, and a direct measure of development impact.3rd lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    3rd lowest of 17 in Africa
  • Life expectancy at birthA broad measure of health and living standards, and of the healthcare market.3rd highest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    3rd highest of 17 in Africa

What to watch

  • Gross capital formationShows how much the economy is building for the future.Lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 17 in Africa
  • Labour force participationIndicates how much of the population is economically active.Lowest of 16 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 16 in Africa
  • Manufacturing, value addedManufacturing creates formal jobs and export diversification.Lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 17 in Africa

São Tomé scores best on governance and weakest on market size

Scores from 0 to 100 by rank within Africa, against the Africa median. 100 means best in the region on that pillar.

São ToméAfrica median
Market sizeGrowthStabilityInfrastructureDigital,financeGovernanceUnmetdemand23273154315431
Source: Investor Lens method·dotzedw Insights Centre

The IMF expects São Tomé to grow 0.4% in 2026

Real GDP growth, per cent a year. Open bars are IMF forecasts.

ActualIMF forecast
0.0%0.5%1.0%1.5%2.0%2.5%3.0%1.0%20250.4%20261.9%20272.6%2028

Ten years of history are free with a Reader account.

Source: IMF·dotzedw Insights Centre

Farming employs 12% of workers but produces 12% of output

Share of jobs in each broad sector against its share of GDP, latest year. A sector with far more jobs than output has low productivity and room to grow.

Share of jobsShare of GDP
0%20%40%60%80%100%Agriculture12%12%0 pts apartIndustry23%2%20 pts apartServices65%81%16 pts apart
Source: World Bank, ILO·dotzedw Insights Centre

Key figures

The bar under each figure places it among the 54 countries of Africa, lowest on the left. Hover for context; select for the data card.

Infrastructure in São Tomé

Power stations sized by capacity, power lines by voltage, ports, airports and mines. Zoom in for streets and buildings; click any symbol for details. The Atlas has every layer.

Loading the map…
Large dams
Dam (area shows reservoir size)
Global Dam Watch v1.0
Ports
Port
Natural Earth
Airports
Airport
Natural Earth
Source: OpenStreetMap and the other sources named in the key·dotzedw Insights Centre

How São Tomé generates electricity

Share of electricity generation by source, latest year.

CoalGasOilWindNuclearBioenergy and otherHydroSolar

No electricity data for São Tomé and Príncipe.

The history of the power mix is part of the Individual plan

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Source: Ember, Energy Institute· Get the data (Professional)·dotzedw Insights Centre

Election calendar

All elections

Hover a vote for its result and what it means.

No elections recorded yet.

Deals and projects

Every deal in São Tomé

No deals in São Tomé among the latest headlines.

Individual Every deal record with its parties, value, stage and sources.

Sources and method