Sao Tome and Principe Country Report

Sao Tome and Principe has remained relatively stable and peaceful since independence from Portugal in 1975. Major threats to political stability have been in the form of military coups, several of which have been attempted in the 1980s, but these have generally been peaceful and rarely had a significant impact on business operations in the country. Recently discovered hydrocarbon resources have attracted foreign investment, bringing a prospect of increased stability.

Levels of criminal activity are relatively low by regional standards but petty theft does occur in some areas, particularly in crowded markets, on beaches and near hotels in Sao Tome. Burglaries and carjackings have also occurred but are uncommon. Although rare, there have also been reports of financial scams and fraud targeting business travelers.

Transport infrastructure in Sao Tome and Principe is generally underdeveloped and travel within the country can present a number of risks. While most major roads are paved, many are in a poor state of repair and secondary roads are generally unpaved posing a hazard to overland travel. There have also been concerns over local air travel within the country, with services being unreliable and frequently overbooked.

Crime rates are relatively low compared to other West African countries, but petty theft, burglaries, and muggings do occur. Petty theft tends to be more common in Sao Tome and other urban areas, particularly around crowded markets, beaches and near hotels.

Civil unrest is rare and demonstrations tend to be peaceful but political developments, particularly around economic and development issues, occasionally lead to unruly protests in the capital.

There have been concerns over aviation safety oversight in Sao Tome and Principe and airlines registered in the country are banned from operating in the European Union due to safety concerns. Domestic air travel is subject to frequent disruption with flights regularly being delayed, canceled or overbooked.

While most major roads are paved, some of these are in a poor state of repair and secondary roads are generally unpaved posing a hazard to overland travel in the country. Some roads can become impassable due to seasonal flooding.

The ports are considered efficient.

The country's electricity infrastructure is under-developed and unreliable with power outages being common. Telecommunications infrastructure, including landlines and internet access, is limited and it can be difficult to communicate with anyone outside the country.

The country is considered both an unlikely sponsor of and unlikely target for cyber attacks.

Sao Tome and Principe has a tropical climate characterized by hot and humid conditions. Temperatures range from 21C (70F) to 31C (88F) throughout the year. The rainy season extends from October to May and some roads may be impassable during this period due to localized flooding. As an archipelago nation, Sao Tome and Principe is vulnerable to rising sea levels, but the country is in a relatively sheltered position is not at significant risk from tsunamis, hurricanes, or earthquakes.

Medical facilities on Sao Tome and Principe are very limited with only one major hospital on Sao Tome. A number of smaller medical clinics are available elsewhere in the country but offer only limited services. More serious injuries or conditions will require evacuation to a country with more advanced medical facilities, typically South Africa or Gabon. Pharmacies are not always readily available and many medications, including common over-the-counter drugs, are in short supply. Malaria is present throughout the country and outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera have been reported.

Sao Tome and Principe is one of the most stable countries in West Africa and elections are considered both free and fair. However, the army has also played an active role in politics, staging two non-violent coups in 1995 and 2003. There is a considerable political rivalry between sections of the Creole elite that dominates society and politics on the islands.

Corruption and an inadequately equipped police force remain significant concerns for foreign travelers in Sao Tome and Principe. The level of corruption in the country is not expected to improve in the short-term given its political landscape traditionally structured around patrimonialism and kinship coupled with the expected influx of direct foreign investment into the country's hydrocarbon sector.