The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing socio-economic vulnerabilities, which were further compounded by persistent energy shortages, flood-related damages at end-2021, and a sharp increase in global fuel and food prices caused by the war in Ukraine. These have put pressure on domestic...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note discusses the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. The PRSP-II is the successor to the government's previous development strategy, the PRSP-I, and furthers the country's commitment to promoting sustainable...

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the prospects of growth in Sao Tome and Principe (STP). This case study seeks explanations for STP's relative under-performance and draws lessons for the future. It compares past economic developments in the islands and recommends policies that could most...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. The coalition government that came into office on December 12, 2012, remains fully committed to the pursuit of sound policies that are helping to consolidate macroeconomic stability, despite a challenging external environment and more uncertain oil prospects. Program...

The people of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP), a small fragile island state, have faced extraordinary challenges. STP continues to struggle with high fuel import needs, limited export potential, and depleted international reserves, and faced a massive balance of payments (BOP) shock in early...

São Tomé and Príncipe has maintained macroeconomic stability, despite many challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing socio-economic vulnerabilities, which were further compounded by persistent energy shortages and damages from the floods in end-2021. Growth declined in 2021...

Executive Summary The first NPRS was drafted in 2002 and the authorities promised to reduce the percentage of the Saotomean population living in poverty (53.8 percent) by half in 2010 and by two-thirds in 2015, and to decrease the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty from 15.1...

The authorities have requested a three-month extension of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement set to expire on January 20, 2025. The three-year arrangement was approved by the Executive Board on January 21, 2022, with access of SDR 324.0 million (200 percent of quota). The extension...

The authorities have requested a new ECF-supported program, to deepen reforms undertaken under the previous program (completed in July 2024). They have also requested a program under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF)

President Félix Tshisekedi was re-elected in December 2023 and a new Prime Minister was appointed on April 1, 2024, and the government on May 28. Meanwhile, the security situation in the East is deteriorating, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions of people and...