Portuguese is used for administration, official documents and formal communication. Forro, Angolar and Lunguié are also used in daily life, and local languages are predominantly oral. No reliable evidence confirms a national translation or sign-language interpreting service, so communication may require a trusted interpreter or an alternative channel. Mobile communication is widely used. In 2023, 146,497 mobile voice lines were active, including 145,156 prepaid and 1,341 postpaid lines. Mobile penetration was 65.5 per 100 people, and at least one mobile network covered about 96% of the population, although coverage gaps remain. In 2024, internet use reached 59.1%, mobile-phone ownership 70.9% and active mobile broadband 44.6 per 100 people. CST and UNITEL STP provide mobile services. Fixed-line use is much lower, and mobile messaging and other internet-based services have replaced part of international voice calling. SIM cards must be registered. Acceptable identification includes a Bilhete de Identidade, passport, birth certificate, driving licence, foreigner’s identity document or voter card; a witness may be used as a substitute in the permitted situation. A person must be at least 14 years old and may register up to five SIM cards with each provider. Report a lost SIM immediately so the provider can block it. CST lists customer service at 19000, technical faults at 19144 and WhatsApp support at +239 9900000. Its published service hours are Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 21:00 and Sundays and public holidays from 07:00 to 19:00. Published CST prices include 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 30 and 60 GB monthly data packages priced at 80, 150, 220, 300, 450, 990 and 1,490 Dbs; the published tariff should be confirmed directly because the online tariff page was last changed in 2019. UNITEL lists customer service at 19000 and apoio.cliente@unitel.st. AGER is São Tomé and Príncipe’s multisector telecommunications and postal regulator. It handles licences, spectrum, numbering, equipment, regulated tariffs, consumer information and complaints. AGER’s address is Av. Marginal 12 de Julho and its listed telephone number is +239 2241500. Contact the provider first for a service problem, then submit the matter to AGER if it remains unresolved. Keep the contract or SIM details, recharge or invoice, dates, times, location and evidence of the fault. The postal service is provided by Empresa de Correios de São Tomé e Príncipe, the designated operator under the Universal Postal Union. The responsible ministry is the Ministério das Infra-Estruturas, Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, while AGER regulates the sector. Available 2022 figures indicate that 80% of postal items were collected at a post office, 20% of the population had no postal service and no households received regular home delivery. Current prices, delivery times, tracking options and coverage should therefore be confirmed locally before sending a letter, parcel or express item. The official government portal, gov.st, provides information in Portuguese and lists government and ministry services, although several services were still marked as forthcoming in the available material. Contact details include Rua do Município in São Tomé and +239 9906622; the government portal also lists +239 2242150 and geral@gpm.gov.st. Complaints can be sent to reclamacao@gpm.gov.st. Authorities commonly use websites or portals, telephone, email and personal visits. Emergency numbers are 113 for police and 112 for firefighters. Universal-service rules recognise access needs, geographic coverage, public telephone facilities and affordable access for people with special needs, but the current number and function of accessible facilities are not reliably documented. Practical alternatives include telephone calls, SMS, email and an in-person visit. When a conversation is unclear, use plain Portuguese, ask the other party to repeat the key point and send a short written confirmation. This is especially useful for prices, appointments, documents, complaints and service interruptions.
Communication in São Tomé and Príncipe
Communication in São Tomé and Príncipe combines Portuguese in formal settings with Forro, Angolar and Lunguié in everyday life. Mobile phones and mobile data are the main communication channels, while postal delivery, home internet and accessibility services remain uneven. Clear Portuguese, written follow-up and confirmation of agreements help prevent misunderstandings.
Tip
Choose mobile communication for routine contact, but use Portuguese and written confirmation when a message affects documents, money, appointments or complaints. Check coverage, current prices and support channels before relying on a provider, and keep evidence when a service fails. Use telephone, SMS, email or a personal visit when accessibility or language makes one channel unsuitable.