The African Development Bank Group has approved a $22 million grant to finance the Blue Economy and Fisheries Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project in São Tomé and PrÃncipe, aimed at strengthening fisheries-related small businesses and improving food security in the island nation.
The funding, provided through the Transition Support Facility and the African Development Fund, is expected to directly benefit about 30,000 people across the fisheries value chain, including small-scale fishers, processors and traders, while indirectly supporting more than 100,000 citizens through improved access to affordable fish and expanded economic activity.
Under the project, three multipurpose fishing ports in Neves, Porto Alegre and Chimaelo will be rehabilitated, alongside disaster management support for Port San Antonio Praia. In addition, 400 climate-resilient fiberglass fishing vessels will replace ageing wooden canoes, improving safety, productivity and income prospects for artisanal fishing enterprises.
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To reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for small processors and traders, the project will deliver six refurbished cold storage facilities and four refrigerated trucks. Annual fish production is projected to increase from 15,000 to 25,000 tonnes, while average fisher incomes are expected to rise to about €2,500 per year.
The initiative will run from 2026 to 2030 and places strong emphasis on inclusion, with at least 50 per cent of training and cooperative support targeting women and youth, including women-led SMEs.
The project aligns with São Tomé and PrÃncipe’s national development priorities and is expected to unlock new opportunities for sustainable SME growth within the country’s blue economy.
