The programme is centred on a single qualifying route, a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the country’s National Transformation Fund (NTF)****.
According to the Government, the NTF will support broad-based, long-term development projects rather than short-term capital expenditure. Key areas earmarked for investment include renewable energy infrastructure, affordable housing, education, road development, and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) support.
The Government claims that the contributions flow into a National Transformation Fund aimed at priority projects, with spending earmarked for renewable energy infrastructure**,** and additional allocations signposted for affordable housing, education, roads and SME support**.**
Processing Framework and Administration
To administer the programme, the Government has established a Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) under a public-private partnership model. The CIU is headquartered in Dubai and will be managed by STP Service Advisory, a newly formed UAE-based firm working closely with São Tomé and Príncipe authorities.
The CIU is expected to begin accepting applications in early September.
The Government has announced an indicative processing timeline of six weeks**,** positioning the programme among the faster application frameworks currently available. At present, the programme offers no real estate or bond options**,** focusing exclusively on the donation route.
Notably, the programme does not impose an interview requirement or residency obligation, and applicants can submit their applications remotely. As per the update, the minimum contribution of US$90,000, applicants will have to pay a submission fee of US$5,000 per application, irrespective of family size.
Investment Thresholds
The minimum qualifying contribution levels are as follows:
- Single applicant: US$90,000
- Family (up to four members): US$95,000
- Each additional dependent: US$5,000
Eligibility and Due Diligence for São Tomé and Príncipe CBI
Applicants must satisfy a set of baseline eligibility criteria, including:
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Clean record and successful completion of a due diligence process
- Proof of legitimate source of funds
The programme allows for the inclusion of dependents, including:
- Spouses or civil partners
- Unmarried, financially dependent children under 30 years old
- Parents aged 55 years and above
There are no residency, language, or interview requirements, and the process can typically will take around six to twelve weeksfor completion.
Visa-Free Access and Benefits
A São Tomé and Príncipe passport only visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 61 destinations worldwide. This list does not include the European Union or the United Kingdom and it provides mobility to countries like South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore.
Notably, the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment programme becomes West Africa’s first formal CBI framework. While other African nations have explored similar initiatives, such as Ghana’s previously discussed concept but these remain either informal or unlikely to materialise.
