Elections & Jobs: As São Tomé and Príncipe heads into legislative elections on Sunday (Sept 27), voters say the biggest economic issue is youth exodus. With about 18% of the population living abroad (nearly 40,000 people), labor shortages are already hitting sectors like construction, and young voters complain “nothing has changed” since they were born. Campaigns focus on private investment and high-value tourism, with turnout still uncertain after low participation in July’s presidential vote. Conservation Payments in Principe: On Principe, South African tech entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth’s Faya Foundation is paying residents for pledges to avoid damaging activities. But early payouts are far below the advertised maximum: the first quarterly payment reported was 900 dobras (about $42 for three months), while critics say the scheme misses a chance to align with government priorities. Oil & Gas Deals Across Africa: Petrobras is expanding its Africa push, signing production-sharing contracts for eight offshore exploration blocks in Ivory Coast (90% stake to Petrobras, 10% to Petroci) and a separate strategic cooperation memorandum in Mozambique focused on studies and LNG-linked development. Regional Mobility & Business Climate: A wider Africa visa trend is emerging: the share of intra-African travel requiring visas rose in 2025, while visa-on-arrival options fell. Togo stands out by removing visa requirements for African nationals for up to 30 days, a move that could boost travel-linked commerce. Maritime Sanctions Pressure: Ukraine’s intelligence says 38 vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” include ships flagged in São Tomé and Príncipe, tied to exporting Russian oil, LNG, and fuel logistics.