AGP Executive Report

Women’s Leadership: Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, was honoured by ABCD Africa as one of the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026,” spotlighting women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and better healthcare across Africa. World Heritage & Tourism: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites at its Busan session, including São Tomé and Príncipe’s “Roças” (Portuguese colonial plantations) — a first listing that can bring conservation support and boost cultural tourism. Citizenship & Lifestyle: São Tomé and Príncipe is promoting a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment option, asking for a $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), framed as a way to fund education, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure amid ongoing energy and economic pressures. Diplomacy & Culture: Serbia’s Marko Đurić met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM Américo Ramos to discuss deeper cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, with Serbia also thanking the country for its Expo 2027 participation. Travel Inspiration: A lifestyle travel piece highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “leve leve” pace and conservation-led tourism approach, positioning the islands as “Africa’s Galápagos” for visitors seeking authenticity over crowds.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe has its first UNESCO World Heritage listing with the “Roças” (Portuguese colonial plantations), joining Comoros and South Sudan in a Busan session that added 25 sites worldwide—an upgrade that can bring conservation support and a fresh tourism spotlight. Authentic travel: A new travel feature highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “Africa’s Galápagos” identity and its slow-living “leve leve” approach, pitching conservation and community over mass crowds. Citizenship-by-investment: The islands’ “golden passport” is back in focus: citizenship is offered for a $90,000 contribution to a National Transformation Fund (plus fees), framed as a way to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crunch. Culture & diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalization and culture, with EXPO 2027 Belgrade also on the agenda. Travel policy ripple: The U.S. made a permanent refundable visa bond programme for selected B1/B2 applicants, including São Tomé and Príncipe, with bonds up to $20,000 depending on consular direction.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe just landed its first UNESCO World Heritage inscription at the World Heritage Committee’s Busan session—its Roças (historic Portuguese plantation estates) join the list, alongside new sites like Normandy’s D-Day beaches and Mount Olympus, a move that can unlock conservation support and boost heritage tourism. Tourism & Lifestyle: A separate travel feature spotlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “Africa’s Galápagos” identity, arguing the islands win by choosing conservation, culture, community, and smaller-scale, “leve leve” experiences over mass tourism. Citizenship & Development: The country is also pushing a golden passport citizenship-by-investment plan, offering citizenship for a $90,000 contribution to a National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aimed at funding education, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure amid an energy crunch and slow growth. Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. Travel Policy Shock: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond program permanent for certain B1/B2 applicants, including São Tomé and Príncipe, with bonds up to $20,000 depending on consular direction.

UNESCO World Heritage Boost: São Tomé and Príncipe has its first UNESCO listing with the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe, joining Comoros and South Sudan in new entries from UNESCO’s Busan session, alongside major global additions like the D-Day beaches of Normandy. Heritage Tourism Angle: Travel coverage is already framing the islands as “Africa’s Galápagos,” pairing conservation and culture with the slow-living “leve leve” vibe—now with fresh heritage prestige to match. Citizenship-for-Development Debate: São Tomé and Príncipe is also pushing a $90,000 golden passport (citizenship-by-investment) to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure, amid scrutiny of how such schemes fit EU pressure on similar programs. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, including participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade. US Visa Bond Shock for Visitors: The US made its refundable visa bond permanent for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, with deposits up to $20,000—a move that could reshape travel and business plans.

UNESCO Heritage Boost: UNESCO inscribed the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe on the World Heritage List, highlighting the archipelago’s Portuguese plantation history, including “forced migration and labor,” and marking the first time the country appears on the list. Golden Passport Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe is also pushing a citizenship-by-investment “golden passport” with a $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure without requiring permanent relocation. Tourism With a Light Footprint: A new travel feature spotlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “Africa’s Galápagos” approach—conservation, culture, community and exclusivity—positioning it against overtourism. Visa Rules Ripple Through Culture & Travel: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with deposits up to $20,000 for some B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, potentially reshaping who can travel for business and tourism. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, alongside Expo 2027 plans.

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Push: The country is selling “golden passport” citizenship for a one-time $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure amid an energy crisis and weak growth. UNESCO Heritage Spotlight: UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage session added the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe (historic Portuguese plantation system) to the World Heritage List, marking a major cultural milestone and boosting heritage tourism. Tourism Lifestyle Angle: A new travel feature highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “leve leve” pace and conservation-first approach, positioning the islands as an authentic alternative to overtourism. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, and to confirm participation in Expo 2027. US Visa Bond Shock for Travelers: The US made a refundable visa bond up to $20,000 permanent for selected countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, for certain B1/B2 business and tourist visas—raising upfront costs even though the money can be refunded if rules are followed.

UNESCO World Heritage Boost: UNESCO added the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe to the World Heritage List, highlighting the Portuguese colonial plantation landscape and its history of forced labor—an important cultural win for the islands. Citizenship-for-Funding “Golden Passport”: São Tomé and Príncipe is selling citizenship through a “golden passport” tied to a National Transformation Fund, with eligibility for investors and family members and a one-time $90,000 contribution aimed at education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure. Tourism With a Light Footprint: A new push promotes “authentic tourism” over mass crowds, selling the islands’ conservation-first model, biodiversity, and the local “leve leve” way of life. US Visa Bond Policy Hits Lusophone Africa: The US made its refundable visa bond programme permanent for B1/B2 business and tourist visas, with consular officers able to require deposits up to $20,000—explicitly including São Tomé and Príncipe—raising costs and reshaping travel planning. Diplomacy and Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, with Expo 2027 participation also on the agenda.

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship-by-Investment: The country is selling “golden passports” for $90,000 to fund energy and development, with applicants able to include eligible family members and without needing to permanently relocate or buy property. UNESCO World Heritage Spotlight: UNESCO’s latest World Heritage additions include the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe, highlighting the plantation landscape and its history of forced labor and migration—an important cultural milestone for the islands. Tourism, but on purpose: Travel coverage frames São Tomé and Príncipe as an “Africa’s Galápagos” destination that avoids mass tourism, leaning into conservation, community, and the slow “leve leve” lifestyle. Diplomatic Ties: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, plus participation in Expo 2027. US Visa Bond Shock for Lusophone Africa: The US made a refundable visa bond program permanent, potentially requiring deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 applicants from São Tomé and Príncipe and other countries.

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship-by-Investment: The country has launched a “golden passport” for development funding, offering citizenship for a one-time $90,000 contribution to a National Transformation Fund (plus processing fees), with no required property purchase or fixed relocation period. UNESCO World Heritage Spotlight: UNESCO’s 48th session in Busan added new sites across Africa, including the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe—Portuguese colonial plantation landscapes tied to cocoa/coffee history and forced labor—marking the islands’ first World Heritage entries. Tourism with a Light Footprint: A lifestyle angle on the same destination: São Tomé and Príncipe is positioning itself as an eco-focused, low-crowd getaway built around conservation, culture, and the slow “leve leve” pace. US Visa Bond Policy Hits Lusophone Africa: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with consular officers able to require up to $20,000 deposits for B1/B2 visas—explicitly listing São Tomé and Príncipe among affected countries. Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, plus Expo 2027 participation.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe’s Roças (Portuguese colonial plantations) have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, with the Principe collection highlighting new stays at Belo Monte and Roça Sundy—a big cultural win for preserving plantation history and its human stories. Citizenship & Tourism: The country is also pushing a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment route, asking for $90,000 to the National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aiming to fund education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure as the economy faces energy and export pressures. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization and culture, including participation in Expo 2027. Travel Rules Shock: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond policy permanent, potentially requiring up to $20,000 deposits for B1/B2 visas for nationals including São Tomé and Príncipe—a move that’s already drawing criticism across Africa.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe’s Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe (historic Portuguese plantation system) was among 25 new UNESCO World Heritage additions in Busan, marking the archipelago’s first inscription; UNESCO also added two Principe roças to the list, spotlighting plantation architecture and the island’s social history. Tourism & Lifestyle: A new “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment scheme is drawing attention for offering a path to residency/citizenship via a $90,000 contribution to a national transformation fund, with no required permanent relocation. Culture & Heritage Travel: Coverage frames São Tomé and Príncipe as an “authentic tourism” destination—conservation-led, low-crowd, and shaped by the local “leve leve” pace. International Relations: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, plus participation in Expo 2027. US Visa Policy Impact: The US made its refundable visa bond program permanent, potentially requiring up to $20,000 deposits for some B1/B2 applicants, including São Tomé and Príncipe.

Golden Passport Push: São Tomé and Príncipe is rolling out a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment option, offering citizenship for a one-time $90,000 into a National Transformation Fund (plus fees), with family add-ons and no need for permanent relocation. Tourism With Restraint: A new spotlight on “authentic tourism” frames the islands as an eco-first destination—conservation, culture, community, and the slow “leve leve” pace—aimed at fewer, more intentional visitors. UNESCO Breakthrough for Roças: UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan inscribed 25 new sites, including São Tomé and Príncipe’s Roças collection, with properties like Belo Monte and Roça Sundy tied to the plantation heritage story. US Visa Bond Shockwave: The US made its refundable visa bond programme permanent for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, with consular officers able to demand up to $20,000; São Tomé and Príncipe is on the affected list, alongside many other African nations. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, including Serbia’s Expo 2027 plans.

Golden Passport: São Tomé and Príncipe is rolling out a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment option, asking for a one-time $90,000 into a National Transformation Fund (plus fees), with added family eligibility and no required permanent relocation. Diplomacy & Culture: Serbia’s foreign minister Marko Đurić met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM Américo Ramos in Belgrade, highlighting plans to deepen cooperation in education, healthcare, agriculture, digitalization, and culture, and noting the country’s participation in Expo 2027. Tourism Model: A travel feature spotlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s “leve leve” slow-living approach and conservation-first tourism, positioning the islands as an “Africa’s Galápagos” alternative to mass tourism. UNESCO Heritage: UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage session in Busan added 25 new sites worldwide, including the first-ever World Heritage inscription for São Tomé and Príncipe: the Roças (colonial plantation) collection—boosting heritage visibility and hospitality tied to restored roças. US Visa Rules: The U.S. made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, potentially requiring deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, with refunds tied to compliance and departure.

Diplomacy & Culture: Serbia’s FM Marko Đurić met São Tomé and Príncipe PM Américo Ramos in Belgrade, thanking the islands for its stance on Kosovo and discussing deeper cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalisation, and culture, with both sides also pointing to Expo 2027 Belgrade. World Heritage Spotlight: UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan added 25 new sites worldwide, including São Tomé and Príncipe’s historic roças—Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe—marking the archipelago’s first-ever World Heritage inscriptions and spotlighting the plantation system’s architecture, landscape, and social history. Heritage Tourism Link: A tourism business angle also surfaced as UNESCO-recognised roças connected to the Príncipe Collection portfolio, positioning newly crowned properties like Belo Monte and Roça Sundy for visitors. US Travel Policy (Regional Impact): The U.S. made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, potentially requiring deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 business and tourist visas for selected countries that include São Tomé and Príncipe.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe’s historic roças have made headlines at UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage Committee in Busan, with the plantation system recognized as World Heritage—an important first for the country and a spotlight on the islands’ coffee and cocoa legacy, including the painful colonial history behind the estates. Heritage Watch: UNESCO also added 25 new sites worldwide (19 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed), including Mount Olympus and the D-Day Landing Beaches, while placing several threatened properties under emergency protection. US Travel Rules: The United States has made its visa bond programme permanent, meaning selected travellers from 50 countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—may be asked to post a refundable deposit of up to $20,000 for B1 business and B2 tourism visas, with refunds tied to compliance and on-time departure. Lusophone Tourism Cooperation: The CPLP set up a Business and Investment Forum on tourism, aiming to boost connectivity and support youth entrepreneurship, women-led initiatives, and local producers across Portuguese-speaking countries.

UNESCO World Heritage: São Tomé and Príncipe made a historic leap as the Roças plantation system was inscribed during UNESCO’s 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan, with the Principe Collection highlighting newly recognized properties like Belo Monte and Roça Sundy—an overdue spotlight on the islands’ architecture, landscapes, and the painful colonial labor history behind coffee and cocoa. Global Heritage Roundup: UNESCO also added 25 new sites worldwide (19 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed), including Mount Olympus (Greece) and the Beaches of the D-Day Landings (France), while Comoros and South Sudan received their first-ever listings too. US Visa Policy: The US made its refundable visa bond programme permanent for applicants from 50 countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, with consular officers able to require deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 visas—sparking calls for reciprocal measures across parts of Africa. Lusophone Tourism Cooperation: The CPLP set up a Business and Investment Forum on tourism, aiming to boost youth entrepreneurship, women-led MSMEs, and better transport connectivity across Portuguese-speaking states.