Agenda
11 December 2025
Brussels, tangla hotel
08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION
Welcome and registration of participants
09:00 - 09:20
Opening ceremony
- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities, H.E. Mrs. Ilza Amado Vaz
- Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Mr. Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities, H.E. Mrs. Ilza Amado Vaz
Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Mr. Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos
09:20 - 09:25
video presentation
São Tomé and Príncipe 2040
A Future of Opportunities starts here
09:30 - 11:25
Investing in the Sustainable Future of São Tomé and Príncipe
Key topics:
– Country Overview, main structural transformation projects and ongoing multilateral cooperation in support of São Tomé and Príncipe’s development vision.
Keynote speech by: Minister of State for Economy and Finance, H.E. Mr. Gareth Guadalupe
– National Strategy for Sustainable Development in São Tomé and Príncipe 2026 – 2040Presented by: National Planning Director, Mr. Helmute Barreto
– Business environment in São Tomé and Príncipe
Presented by: Executive Director of the Arbitration Center, Ms. Edinha Soares Lima
– Investment opportunities in São Tomé and Príncipe
Presented by: Head of the Investment Department of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, Mrs. Celina Lima
Brief remarks by International Partners
Ambassador of Portugal to São Tomé and Príncipe
Mr. Luís Leandro da SilvaPortuguese Minister for the Environment and Energy
H.E. Ms. Maria da Graça Carvalho
Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Eric Overvest
Video Message – Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
Ms. Rabab Fatima
President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) H.E. Dr. Abdullah Almusaibeeh
Representative of the African Development Bank for Angola and São Tomé and PríncipeMr. Pietro Toigo
World Bank Group, Director for Angola, Burundi, DRC and São Tomé and PríncipeMr. Albert Zeufack
European Union, INTPA Acting Africa DirectorMr. Géza Strammer
European Investment Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa – Public Sector Division, Head of Unit Wes and Central Africa Mrs. Svetla Stoeva
International Monetary Fund, Executive Director for Africa Group III Mr. Régis O. N’Sonde
International Monetary Fund, Representative for São Tomé and Príncipe Mr. Gustavo Ramirez
Interactive Dialogue
Moderator: Chief for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS of the Office of the UN High Representative,
Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello
Minister of State of Economy and Finance, H.E. Mr. Gareth Guadalupe
National Planning Director, Mr. Helmute Barreto
Executive Director of the Arbitration Center, Mrs. Edinha Soares Lima
Presented by: Head of the Investment Department of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency,
Mrs. Celina Lima
Ambassador of Portugal to São Tomé and Príncipe, Mr. Luís Leandro da Silva
Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Eric Overvest
High Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, Undersecretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Rabab Fátima
President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) H.E. Dr. Abdullah Almusaibeeh
African Development Bank Representative for Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe Mr. Pietro Toigo
World Bank Group, Director for Angola, Burundi, DRC and São Tomé and Príncipe Mr. Albert Zeufack
European Union, INTPA Acting Africa Director, Mr. Géza Strammer
European Investment Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa – Public Sector Division, Head of Unit Wes and Central Africa Mrs. Svetla Stoeva
International Monetary Fund, Executive Director for Africa Group III Mr. Mr. Régis O. N’Sonde
International Monetary Fund, Representative for São Tomé and Príncipe Mr. Gustavo Ramirez
Chief for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS of the Office of the UN High Representative, Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello
11:30 - 12:45
Strategic Investment Session 1 Renewable Energy
Co-organized by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, the African Development Bank, World Bank Group (World Bank/IFC) and United Nations Development Programme
Key topics:
- São Tomé and Príncipe’s vision for the Renewable Energy sectorPresented by: Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources, H.E. Mr. Nelson Cardoso
– Business opportunities for PPP in Hydroelectric power: Ió Grande 1 and 2 and Bombaim
(Abade river)
Presented by: African Development Bank Director of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Energy Funds for Africa (SEFA), Mr. João Cunha
– Reducing risks in PPP investments in Solar Energy: Agua Casada Solar Park
Jointly presented by World Bank Energy Specialist, Mr. Leonardo Tshama, IFC Infrastructure Manager for West and Central Africa, Mr. Dan Croft, and Scatec Business Development Officer, Mr. Romain Keppenne
– Business opportunities for Mini-Grids
Presented by: Regional Technical Specialist of the United Nations Development Programme, Mr. Stephen Kansuk
Interactive Dialogue with Investors, Policy Makers and Development Partners
Session Moderator: National Director for Energy, Mr. Gabriel Maquengo
Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources, H.E. Mr. Nelson Cardoso
Presented by: African Development Bank Director of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Energy Funds for Africa (SEFA), Mr. João Cunha
World Bank Energy Specialist, Mr. Leonardo Tshama
IFC Infrastructure Manager for Western and Central Africa, Mr. Dan Croft
Scatec Business Development Officer, Mr. Romain Keppenne
Regional Technical Specialist of United Nations Development Programme, Mr. Stephen Kansuk
National Director for Energy, Mr. Gabriel Maquengo
12:45 - 14:00
Lunch
Networking lunch at Tangla Restaurant, hosted by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe
14:00 - 15:00
Strategic Investment Session 2 Resilient Infrastructure
Co-organized by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, the European Union and the World Bank Group
Key topics:
– Overview of Resilient Infrastructure
Presented by: Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources, H.E. Mr. Nelson Cardoso
– Structural transformation projects: Fernão Dias Multipurpose Port
Presented by: Director of the Studies and Planning Office, Mr. Nicaiel Dias
– Structural transformation agenda: Strengthening Climate Resilient Connectivity in the Northern Transport Corridor
Presented by: WB Senior Transport Specialist, Mr. Juan Miguel Velasquez
– Structural transformation projects: Rehabilitation of the water system in São Tomé cityPresented by: National Water and Electricity Company (EMAE), Mr. Abel Vila Nova
– Structural transformation project: Integrated solid waste management system
Presented by: Head of the Cooperation Section of the European Union, Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe, Mr. Luca Rondi
Interactive Dialogue with Investors, Policy Makers and Development Partners
Session Moderator: Energy Advisor, Mr. Belizardo Neto
Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources, H.E. Mr. Nelson Cardoso
Director of the Studies and Planning Office, Mr. Nicaiel Dias
WB Senior Transport Specialist, Mr. Juan Miguel Velasquez
National Water and Electricity Company (EMAE), Mr. Abel Vilanova
Head of the Cooperation Section of the European Union, Gabon and São Tomé and Principe, Mr. Luca Rondi
Energy Advisor, Mr. Belizardo Neto
15:00 - 16:10
Strategic Investment Session 3 - Sustainable Ecotourism
Co-organized by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, the World Bank Group, Portugal and Private Sector Representatives
Key topics:
– São Tomé and Príncipe Ecotourism Strategy
Presented by: Minister of Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism, H.E. Mrs. Nilda Borges da Mata
– Ecotourism and Biodiversity
President of the Regional Government, H.E.
Mr. Filipe Nascimento
– Boutique Biosphere Tourism and Coastal Management Initiatives in São Tomé and Príncipe
Presented by WB’s Senior Natural Resource Management Specialist, Ms. Sylvia Michele Diez
– Rehabilitation of Historic Farms – REVIVE Roças Program
Presented by: Director of Resources and Supply, Turismo de Portugal, Ms. Leonor Picão
Interactive Dialogue with Investors, Policy Makers and Development Partners
Session Moderator: World Bank Group II Executive Director for Africa, Mr. Harold Tavares
Minister of Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism, H.E. Mrs. Nilda Borges da Mata
President of the Regional Government, H.E. Mr. Filipe Nascimento
WB Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist, Ms. Sylvia Michele Diez
Director for Resources and Offer, of Turismo de Portugal, Ms. Leonor Picão
Executive Director for the World Bank Group’s Africa Group II, Mr. Harold Tavares
16:10 - 17:15
Strategic Investment Session 4 - Green and Blue Biosphere Economy
– Co-hosted by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, FAO, World Bank Group and Private Sector Representatives
Key topics:
– São Tomé and Príncipe’s Vision in the Green and Blue Economy
Presented by: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, H.E. Mr. Nilton Garrido
– Development of Biological Value Chains
Presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Mr. Celso Garrido
– Business opportunities for expanding high-value niche agribusiness: private sector experience
Presented by: Organic Cacao Production and Export Cooperative (CECAB), Ms. Antónia Neto, and
Eco-Tela, Mr. Acácio Bonfim
– Business prospects in the Blue Economy
Presented by the Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the FAO Subregional Office in Gabon
Mr. Lionel Kinadjian
– Growth opportunities in Boutique Biosphere Economy
Presented by WB Senior Country Economist, Mr. Nelson Eduardo
Interactive Dialogue with Investors, Policymakers and Development Partners
Session Moderator: FAO, Mr. Armando Monteiro
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, H.E. Mr. Nilton Garrido
Organic Cocoa Production and Export Cooperative (CECAB), Ms. Antonia Neto
Organic Cocoa Production and Eco-Tela. Mr. Acácio Bonfim
Head of Fisheries and Aquaculture of FAO Subregional Office in Gabon Mr. Lionel Kinadjian
WB Senior Country Economist, Mr. Nelson Eduardo
FAO, Mr. Armando Monteiro
17:15 - 17:30
summary and closing session
Summary of the results of the meeting
Closing remarks
by the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Mr. Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos
Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Mr. Américo d’Oliveira dos Ramos
14:00 - 17:00
Bilateral meetings
In the afternoon, there will be dedicated space for bilateral B2B (business to business) and B2G (business to government) discussions.