Nigerians now have a fresh opportunity to secure a second passport while contributing to a national clean energy push, thanks to São Tomé and Príncipe’s newly launched citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program.
The initiative, unveiled on August 1, offers citizenship in exchange for a minimum $90,000 investment. The funds will be directed towards major development projects, with renewable energy as the first priority, alongside housing, education, road construction, and other infrastructure upgrades.
For Nigerian passport holders who currently require a visa to visit São Tomé , the deal opens doors to 61 countries visa-free, including South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambia in Africa; Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador in the Americas; and Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia in Asia. Holders can also enjoy visa-on-arrival access to Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania.
Applications open in early September and will be processed within six weeks by a newly created Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) based in Dubai, a setup designed for speed and convenience.
The application process begins with a $5,000 submission fee, followed by a $90,000 donation for a single applicant. Families of up to four pay $95,000, with extra costs for additional dependents, passports, IDs, and registration documents.
Alfredo Trinidade, head of the Promotion, Commerce and Investment Agency, says the program is designed to deliver “real value” to both investors and citizens. “Our first major project will make São Tomé run entirely on renewable energy,” he explained, noting that the plan will create jobs, attract foreign investment, and strengthen the island’s economy.
There are no interviews or residency requirements, making the process similar to Caribbean CBI programs. The government also plans to open an embassy in Abu Dhabi, with the Dubai CIU handling passport renewals in the meantime.
Officials position the scheme not just as a travel upgrade, but as a strategic investment tool, offering opportunities for wealth diversification, global business expansion, tax planning, and political risk protection.
