São Tomé and Príncipe has officially introduced its citizenship by investment program, positioning itself as one of the most competitively priced options in the global investment migration market. With a minimum donation requirement of US$90,000 for a single applicant, the program is now among the few citizenship routes available for under US$100,000.
The West African island nation will begin accepting applications in early September. Notably, the program promises a six-week processing time frame and will be administered by a newly formed Citizenship Investment Unit operating out of Dubai, a strategic approach designed to ensure both speed and accessibility.
Key Features of the São Tomé and Príncipe CBI Program
- Initial Submission Fee:
US$5,000 per application
- Minimum Donation:
US$90,000 for a single applicant
US$95,000 for a family of up to four
US$5,000 for each additional dependent
- Additional Government Fees:
Passport: US$350 per person
National ID: US$150 per person
Certificate of Registration: US$250 per person
- Processing Time:
Approximately six weeks
Qualified dependents include spouses, financially dependent children up to age 30, and parents aged 55 and above. Future additions to the family unit (e.g. newborns or spouses) are allowed, subject to additional fees.
Funding National Development Through Investment
Contributions from the CBI program will be allocated to a newly created National Transformation Fund, earmarked for major infrastructure and social projects. The first initiative will focus on renewable energy, with the aim of making São Tomé and Príncipe the first fully green-powered country in its region.
Future investments are expected in education, housing, road development, and employment creation, contributing to sustainable national development and wider socioeconomic impact.
The Next Steps
As a new entry in the global citizenship landscape, São Tomé and Príncipe’s offering reflects a modern approach to investment migration, putting African programs once again on the map. At present, São Tomé and Príncipe has just started their program and has not yet published all the details of their operational structure.
At NTL Trust, we are an established presence in West Africa through our Gambia office, and our strategically located team in Dubai is closely following the program’s development. We are looking forward to offering guidance and services to clients once the program is published in more detail.
