AGP Executive Report

Blue Economy: Africa is pushing oceans, lakes and rivers as economic engines, with fisheries and aquaculture highlighted as a way to close a major protein gap and create jobs from coastal to inland communities. Health & Surveillance: A World Bank-backed regional training in Dar es Salaam is equipping frontline health workers to spot chronic disease risks earlier, including São Tomé and Príncipe among the participating countries. Offshore Energy (São Tomé and Príncipe): TGS has started a modern 2D seismic reprocessing project off São Tomé and Príncipe with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older surveys to improve imaging and support future exploration decisions. Investment Migration (Golden visas): Demand for second passports and golden visas is shifting toward more “middle class” buyers, while EU pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment schemes is reshaping how African countries market residency and citizenship options. Diplomacy & Business Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss expanding cooperation in areas including agriculture and digitalization.

Offshore Energy & Exploration: Norwegian firm TGS has started a São Tomé and Príncipe 2D seismic reprocessing project with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older offshore data to improve imaging and help operators pick “budget-ready” prospects. Health & Workforce Development: A World Bank-backed regional Training of Trainers programme in Dar es Salaam is upgrading frontline health mentors to spot chronic disease risks earlier, including NCD surveillance integrated into existing field epidemiology training across São Tomé and Príncipe and other Eastern and Southern African countries. Investment Migration Watch: A new report says demand for second passports is shifting beyond the superrich, with more middle-class professionals and retirees using citizenship-by-investment and golden visa routes—an issue that also intersects with São Tomé and Príncipe’s own investment-migration framework. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss expanding ties in education, healthcare, agriculture and digitalization. Climate Risk: July 2026 is tied as the hottest July on record, a reminder for island economies to plan for heat and weather shocks.

Offshore Energy Update: Norwegian firm TGS has started a 2D seismic reprocessing project off São Tomé and Príncipe with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older data (1999–2005) to improve imaging and help operators judge hydrocarbon prospects more confidently. Health & Capacity Building: A World Bank-backed regional training in Dar es Salaam is equipping frontline health workers across Eastern and Southern Africa—including São Tomé and Príncipe—with skills to spot chronic disease warning signs by integrating non-communicable disease surveillance into field epidemiology training. Investment Migration Watch: A new report says Africa’s golden visa and residency-by-investment market is expanding as EU investor-citizenship rules tighten, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among countries with active frameworks and investment entry costs ranging widely. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss deepening ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Climate Context: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, underscoring rising climate pressure for island economies like São Tomé and Príncipe.

Offshore Energy: TGS has started a São Tomé and Príncipe 2D seismic reprocessing project with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older offshore data (1999–2005) to sharpen imaging and help operators judge new hydrocarbon prospects. Investment Migration Watch: A report says demand for “golden visa” and second passports is shifting toward more middle-class buyers, with salaried professionals and retirees making up a growing share of US consultations—an angle that matters for regional mobility and services. Visa Policy Shock: The US has made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, but industry groups warn it could sharply reduce travel demand if expanded further. Fiscal Transparency & Trade: US fiscal transparency findings put Nigeria among countries making no significant progress, while Nigeria’s non-oil exports reportedly hit $6.1bn in 2025 across 210 markets—new destinations include São Tomé and Príncipe. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss deeper ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture. Climate Context: July 2026 was tied as the hottest July on record, reinforcing pressure on energy, infrastructure, and planning.

Investment Migration Shift: A Malta-based citizenship-by-investment firm says “plan B” passports are moving beyond the superrich, with salaried professionals and retirees now making up 25% of its US consultations (up from ~15% in 2025), as EU CBI crackdowns push demand toward lawful alternatives. Visa Policy Shock: The US made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, but travel groups warn it could sharply cut travel demand—visa issuance reportedly fell 83% during the pilot. Offshore Energy Push (São Tomé and Príncipe): TGS and ANP-STP kicked off a 2D seismic reprocessing project covering 14,651 km of data (from surveys acquired 1999–2005), aiming to improve imaging and help operators assess future offshore prospects. Climate Risk for Industry: July 2026 tied as the hottest July on record, raising pressure on energy, logistics, and infrastructure planning. Bilateral Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss expanding ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture. Trade & Exports (Regional Context): Nigeria’s non-oil exports hit $6.1bn in 2025 and expanded to 210 markets, including São Tomé and Príncipe—highlighting regional demand for processed goods.

Investment Migration Shift: A Malta-based golden visa firm says “plan B” passports are moving beyond the superrich, with salaried professionals and retirees now making up 25% of its US consultation calls (up from ~15% in 2025), as EU citizenship crackdowns push more people toward alternative residency and citizenship routes. Visa Policy Shock for Tourism: The US made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, but industry groups warn it could slash travel demand further—visa issuance reportedly fell 83% during the pilot. Offshore Energy Push for São Tomé and Príncipe: TGS has started a 2D seismic reprocessing project off São Tomé and Príncipe with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older surveys to improve subsurface imaging and support future hydrocarbon exploration decisions. Bilateral Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to expand ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, with both sides also discussing Expo 2027 participation. Climate Pressure: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, a reminder of rising heat risks for island economies and infrastructure. Global Finance Watch: US fiscal transparency reviews flagged Nigeria for “no significant progress,” while noting a split across Africa’s biggest economies.

Offshore Energy: TGS has started a new 2D seismic reprocessing project off São Tomé and Príncipe, covering 14,651 km of older surveys (1999–2005) with updated imaging methods to improve interpretation for future hydrocarbon exploration. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Serbia’s foreign minister Marko Đurić met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM Américo Ramos to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Investment Migration Watch: A new report says demand for “golden visa” and citizenship-by-investment schemes is shifting across Africa after the EU cracked down on investor citizenship, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among countries with active frameworks. Global Context for Mobility: The U.S. made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, and U.S. travel leaders warn it could sharply reduce travel if expanded—an issue for regional tourism and business travel planning. Climate Backdrop: July 2026 tied as the hottest July on record, adding pressure on coastal and island economies to plan for heat and weather risks.

Visa Policy Shock for Tourism: The U.S. has made its visa bond requirement permanent for 50 countries, with cash deposits potentially up to $20,000—U.S. Travel warns this could sharply cut visas issued (down 83% in the pilot) and hurt travel and business links if expanded. Fiscal Transparency Pressure: A new U.S. fiscal-transparency review says Nigeria made no significant progress, while economists warn weak budget execution, disclosure, and audits could dent investor confidence. Investment-Migration Shift Across Africa: With EU investor-citizenship rules tightening, African states are leaning harder into golden visas and residency-by-investment; São Tomé and Príncipe is listed among active frameworks, with costs ranging widely. Offshore Energy Push: TGS has started modern 2D seismic reprocessing for São Tomé and Príncipe, covering 14,651 km of older surveys to improve subsurface imaging and support future exploration planning. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss expanding ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture.

Visa Policy & Tourism: The U.S. has made its visa bond requirement permanent for 50 countries, with cash deposits potentially up to $20,000—U.S. Travel warns this could sharply curb travel if expanded, after a reported 83% drop in visas issued during the pilot. Fiscal Transparency & Investment Climate: A new U.S. fiscal-transparency review flags Nigeria for “no significant progress,” while noting a split among Africa’s biggest economies; economists warn weak budget execution, disclosure, and audits could dent investor confidence. Investment Migration Pressure: As the EU tightens investor-citizenship rules, African “golden visa” and residency-by-investment programs are gaining momentum, with São Tomé and Príncipe highlighted among active schemes. São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship for Development: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling citizenship for at least $90,000 to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and IMF-expected slow growth. Offshore Energy Exploration: TGS has started modern 2D seismic reprocessing for São Tomé and Príncipe’s offshore basin, covering 14,651 km, aiming to improve prospect imaging and support future exploration budgeting. Climate Context: July 2026 is tied as the hottest July on record, adding pressure to energy and resilience planning across the region.

Investment Migration Shift: A new Kestrel Private report says EU’s crackdown on investor citizenship hasn’t killed demand—African countries are now expanding residency and citizenship-by-investment schemes to attract wealthy capital and families. Golden Visa Watch: A roundup of 2026 “golden visa” options highlights São Tomé and Príncipe among active frameworks, with entry costs reported from $90,000 upward. São Tomé and Príncipe Passport Program: Separate coverage says São Tomé and Príncipe is selling citizenship for about $90,000 via a National Transformation Fund contribution, aiming to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid import dependence, cocoa/palm export vulnerability, and electricity shortages. Energy & Offshore Industry: Norwegian firm TGS, with São Tomé and Príncipe’s petroleum agency ANP-STP, has started reprocessing 14,651 km of offshore 2D seismic data to improve hydrocarbon exploration clarity. Diplomacy for Business Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss deeper cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture.

Offshore Energy: TGS has kicked off a new 2D seismic reprocessing push for São Tomé and Príncipe, working with ANP-STP to reprocess 14,651 km of older survey data to improve imaging and help operators assess prospects more confidently. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, and to discuss participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Climate Pressure: New global temperature reporting shows July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest July on record, a reminder that heat stress can quickly spill into energy, agriculture and logistics planning. Development Finance: São Tomé and Príncipe is also drawing attention for a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment offer aimed at raising funds for education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid ongoing economic strain.

Offshore Energy: TGS has started a new 2D seismic reprocessing push off São Tomé and Príncipe, covering 14,651 km of older surveys (1999–2005) with updated imaging aimed at boosting confidence for future hydrocarbon exploration. Citizenship-for-Development: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling “golden passports” for at least $90,000 to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure, as the EU tightens scrutiny of citizenship-by-investment schemes used by wealthy Africans. Climate & Risk: July 2026 tied July 2024 as the hottest month on record, a reminder that heat extremes can raise pressure on energy systems, agriculture and coastal economies. Tourism & Services: The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market (Sept 13–15, Lagos) will spotlight sports tourism around AFCON 2027, pushing cross-border travel packages and partnerships. Heritage & Agriculture: UNESCO added new World Heritage sites across Africa, including the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe, highlighting the island’s plantation history and its lasting economic legacy.

Offshore Energy: TGS has launched a 2D seismic data reprocessing program off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe with ANP-STP, covering 14,651 km of older surveys (1999–2005) using a modern workflow to boost imaging quality and interpretation confidence. Citizenship-for-Funding: São Tomé and Príncipe is pushing a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment scheme, offering citizenship for a $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aimed at funding education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and weak growth. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to expand ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade. Tourism & Travel Business: The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market (Sept 13–15, 2026) will spotlight sports tourism and cross-border travel packages around AFCON 2027, with operators from West and East Africa.

Golden Passport Push: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling citizenship for $90,000 via its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and slow growth. EU Pressure on Mobility Schemes: A new EU crackdown threatens Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes, reshaping how wealthy Nigerians plan second citizenship and Schengen access. Trade & Market Access: Nigeria’s non-oil exports hit $6.1bn in 2025 and expanded to 210 markets (adding 117), with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among newer destinations—though power, financing and logistics costs still bite. Tourism Strategy: São Tomé and Príncipe is leaning into conservation-led, low-crowd tourism—“Africa’s Galápagos”—as a model built on authenticity and exclusivity. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Serbia’s FM Marko Đurić met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM Américo Ramos to expand ties in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalisation and culture, with EXPO 2027 participation confirmed. UNESCO Spotlight: UNESCO added the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe to the World Heritage List, highlighting Portuguese colonial plantation history.

Citizenship-for-cash: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling “golden passports” for a one-time $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to raise foreign currency for education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and weak export earnings. Tourism & brand positioning: The country is also leaning into low-volume, conservation-led tourism—marketed as “Africa’s Galápagos”—to attract visitors who want authenticity over crowds. Heritage & plantations: UNESCO has added the “Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe” to the World Heritage List, spotlighting the historic Portuguese plantation system and boosting the islands’ cultural draw. Diplomacy & cooperation: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss expanding ties in education, healthcare, agriculture and digitalization, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade. Trade links in the region: Nigeria’s non-oil exporters expanded to 210 markets by 2025, adding São Tomé and Príncipe among newer destinations—though high power, financing and logistics costs still block sustained industrial growth.

Citizenship-by-Investment: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling “golden passports” for a one-time $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to raise cash for education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and weak growth. Tourism & Investment: The country is also leaning into a low-volume, high-value tourism model, positioning itself as an “Africa’s Galápagos” destination built on conservation and culture rather than mass arrivals. World Heritage Boost: UNESCO has added the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe to the World Heritage List, spotlighting six Portuguese colonial plantations tied to coffee and cocoa history—an upgrade that could lift heritage tourism and related services. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss expanding cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, alongside participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade. Energy Watch: While not local, Petrobras’ latest offshore natural gas discovery off Colombia underlines continued regional interest in energy supply—relevant for investors tracking Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic energy flows.