São Tomé and Príncipe is closely integrated into the international banking system. Links to banks in neighboring French-speaking African countries and Portugal are particularly strong. Within the country, cashless payments can often be made using VISA cards and the national Dobra24 system. The São digital payment system is also widely used and allows payments via phone or at local agents.

Cash payments are widely used. The national currency, the Dobra (STN), has been pegged to the euro for many years and has an exchange rate of 24.50 STN to 1.00 EUR.

Banks currently operating in São Tomé and Príncipe:

– Ecobank (pan-African bank with branches in numerous African countries)
– Banco Internacional de São Tomé e Príncipe (BISTP – São Tomé and Príncipe’s first private bank)
– BGFI (pan-African bank focusing on French-speaking countries)
– GTI Bank (another local bank)

The banking system is regulated by the Central Bank (Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe), and international transfers typically reach their destination within a few days.

(In the photo: Independence Square in the capital São Tomé, featuring the local bank BISTP.)