## IMF Staff Concludes Visit to São Tomé and Príncipe

_IMF News, September 29, 2025_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [IMF Staff Concludes Visit to São Tomé and Príncipe](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit)

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: September 29, 2025

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### Mission details
- 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."

### Main findings and economic assessment
- 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."

### Program performance and timetable
- 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."

### Engagements and stakeholders met
- 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."

### Contact and press information
- IMF Communications Department — MEDIA RELATIONS
- PRESS OFFICER: Rahim Kanani
- Phone: +1 202 623-7100
- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
- Twitter: @IMFSpokesperson

*IMF staff statement as published by the IMF Communications Department on September 29, 2025.*

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## References

- [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)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2025/09/25/pr-25312-sao-tome-and-principe-imf-staff-concludes-visit_