{ "title": "IMF Staff Concludes Visit to São Tomé and Príncipe", "publication": "IMF News, September 29, 2025", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit", "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit", "overlayPath": "/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md", "summary": "An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Mr. Slavi Slavov visited São Tomé and Príncipe during September 22-26, 2025, to discuss recent economic developments and progress in the implementation of the Fund-supported program.", "publishDate": "2025-09-29", "sections": [ { "heading": "Mission details", "content": "- Press Release No. 25/312\n- Mission dates: September 22-26, 2025\n- Publication date: September 29, 2025\n- IMF team leader: Mr. Slavi Slavov\n- Purpose: discuss recent economic developments and progress in the implementation of the Fund-supported program\n- Note: \"End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.\"" }, { "heading": "Main findings and economic assessment", "content": "- The Santomean economy \"appears to have remained relatively resilient.\"\n- Inflation dynamics: \"Both supply and demand factors are pushing inflation back to double digits.\"\n- External sector: \"exports revenues have benefited from a recovery in tourism and elevated cocoa prices.\"\n- Structural challenges: mission \"discussed recent macroeconomic developments, with a focus on the structural challenges faced by the country.\"\n- Specific issues discussed: \"the impact of the ongoing electricity shortages, the demographic outlook, economic growth, inflation developments, fiscal and monetary policy, and public debt issues.\"" }, { "heading": "Program performance and timetable", "content": "- Focus: performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.\n- Program assessment: \"Program performance will be formally assessed in the context of the second review of the ECF arrangement, which is expected to be undertaken in October 2025.\"\n- Role of the program: \"continues to play a pivotal role in restoring macroeconomic stability, fostering structural reforms, and catalyzing support from other development partners.\"" }, { "heading": "Engagements and stakeholders met", "content": "- Meetings with: Minister of State for Economy and Finance Gareth Haddad do Espírito Santo Guadalupe; Acting Governor of the Central Bank Lara Simone Beirão; other government officials; representatives of the private sector including banks; and development partners.\n- Staff acknowledgement: \"We would like to thank the authorities for the open and collaborative discussions, and look forward to our continued close engagement.\"" }, { "heading": "Contact and press information", "content": "- IMF Communications Department — MEDIA RELATIONS\n- PRESS OFFICER: Rahim Kanani\n- Phone: +1 202 623-7100\n- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org\n- Twitter: @IMFSpokesperson\n\nIMF staff statement as published by the IMF Communications Department on September 29, 2025.\n\n---\n\n\n References\n\n- Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the IMF\n- Press Releases\n- PRESS CENTER\n- Fund-supported program\n- https://www.imf.org/en/home\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit" } ], "bullets": [ "[Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md)", "[Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.json)", "[Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/bundle-manifest.json)", "Published: September 29, 2025", "Press Release No. 25/312", "Mission dates: September 22-26, 2025", "Publication date: September 29, 2025", "IMF team leader: Mr. Slavi Slavov", "Purpose: discuss recent economic developments and progress in the implementation of the Fund-supported program", "Note: \"End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.\"", "The Santomean economy \"appears to have remained relatively resilient.\"", "Inflation dynamics: \"Both supply and demand factors are pushing inflation back to double digits.\"", "External sector: \"exports revenues have benefited from a recovery in tourism and elevated cocoa prices.\"", "Structural challenges: mission \"discussed recent macroeconomic developments, with a focus on the structural challenges faced by the country.\"", "Specific issues discussed: \"the impact of the ongoing electricity shortages, the demographic outlook, economic growth, inflation developments, fiscal and monetary policy, and public debt issues.\"", "Focus: performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.", "Program assessment: \"Program performance will be formally assessed in the context of the second review of the ECF arrangement, which is expected to be undertaken in October 2025.\"", "Role of the program: \"continues to play a pivotal role in restoring macroeconomic stability, fostering structural reforms, and catalyzing support from other development partners.\"", "Meetings with: Minister of State for Economy and Finance Gareth Haddad do Espírito Santo Guadalupe; Acting Governor of the Central Bank Lara Simone Beirão; other government officials; representatives of the private sector including banks; and development partners.", "Staff acknowledgement: \"We would like to thank the authorities for the open and collaborative discussions, and look forward to our continued close engagement.\"", "IMF Communications Department — MEDIA RELATIONS", "PRESS OFFICER: Rahim Kanani", "Phone: +1 202 623-7100", "Email: MEDIA@IMF.org", "Twitter: @IMFSpokesperson", "[Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/STP/index.htm)", "[Press Releases](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)", "[PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)", "[Fund-supported program](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2025/01/03/Democratic-Republic-of-So-Tom-and-Prncipe-Request-for-an-Arrangement-Under-the-Extended-560549)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)" ], "alternates": { "markdown": "/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md", "json": "/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.json", "bundleManifest": "/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit/bundle-manifest.json" }, "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-26T04:08:53.771Z" }