Presidential Election Results: Sao Tomé and Príncipe’s electoral commission says President Carlos Vila Nova has won a second term with 55.94% of the vote, avoiding a runoff; his main rival Nito D’Abreu got 41.42% after a campaign shaped by Vila Nova’s split from the ruling ADI party. Oil & Gas Licensing Setback: The country rejected bids for offshore blocks 7, 8 and 9 after only Petrobras and Nigeria’s Oranto Petroleum submitted offers, citing insufficient bidder diversity and competition—another warning for investors watching the Gulf of Guinea. Regional Finance Expansion: Afriland First Bank opened a branch in the Central African Republic, aiming to grow deposits in a market with low banking penetration and limited formal access. CPLP Cooperation Push: CPLP leaders marked the 30th anniversary and discussed strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation and institutional resilience across Portuguese-speaking states. Travel Rules for Business: Panama published a visa-free list for nine African countries including São Tomé and Príncipe, while Poland’s visa-free list includes only three African states—São Tomé and Príncipe among them—highlighting how mobility rules can affect trade and travel planning. Inflation Watch: Sao Tomé and Príncipe’s inflation was reported at 9.2% (May 2026), edging up from 8.6%, as the economy remains highly import-dependent.