São Tomé and Príncipe, the small West African island nation, has officially entered the global citizenship-by-investment (CBI) market with the launch of its own program on August 1, 2023. The initiative, established under the Citizenship by Investment Act, aims to attract foreign capital and stimulate economic growth through financial contributions from eligible applicants.
The program offers nationality to individuals from most countries, including Russia and Iran, reflecting the nation’s neutral foreign policy. The only exclusion applies to applicants from North Korea.
Program Structure and Administration: According to Alfredo Trinidade, head of the Promotion, Commerce and Investment Agency (APCI), the program’s design distinguishes it from traditional models. “The CIU will operate as a standalone statutory entity that combines private sector efficiency with government oversight—essentially creating a successful public-private partnership,” Trinidade explained.
The Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU), headquartered in Dubai, will be managed by STP Service Advisory, a UAE-based firm working closely with the São Toméan government. The unit is expected to begin accepting applications in the first week of September, with an estimated six-week processing time for each submission.
Eligibility, Costs, and Benefits: Applicants must pay a one-time, non-refundable submission fee of US$5,000 to initiate the process. Upon receiving an Approval in Principle, the main financial contribution is due:
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