• São Tomé and FAO launch digital platform to boost farm product sales
• Tool aims to cut post-harvest losses, improve market access for farmers
• Initiative supports youth jobs, modernizes agriculture in key export sector
  

São Tomé and Príncipe, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), officially launched a new digital platform on October 24 to help farmers promote and sell their products.

Developed by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship at the government’s request, the platform is designed to streamline the movement of farm goods from field to market, cut post-harvest losses, and bring producers closer to consumers. The system is built for simplicity and accessibility, leveraging the growing use of digital tools among local farmers, many of whom already own smartphones and use WhatsApp.

The initiative is part of a broader program to boost youth employment in agriculture. Farming remains a cornerstone of São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy, accounting for about 14% of gross domestic product and nearly 80% of export earnings, according to the French Development Agency (AFD). Despite its importance, the sector faces persistent structural challenges, including limited market access, poor pricing and demand information, weak distribution networks, and high post-harvest losses.

Authorities see the new platform as a strategic tool to turn the country’s agricultural potential into tangible economic value. It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of local value chains, improve market access, diversify sales opportunities, and create new prospects for young rural entrepreneurs. Over time, this shift toward digital agriculture is expected to enhance traceability, raise farmers’ incomes, and support the gradual modernization of the archipelago’s rural economy.

Samira Njoya