In São Tomé and Príncipe, coastal roads are vital for mobility and play a central role in supporting local jobs and economic activity. Every day, about 60 percent of residents depend on the island’s two key coastal roads—the EN1 and Lagarto Bay Road—to access markets, schools, hospitals, fishing areas, and tourism jobs. Yet these roads have sections that sit just 1.5 to 2 meters above sea level, lack sidewalks, and flood frequently.
[...]
To address these challenges, the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe—supported by the World Bank Group and a US$12.8 million Global Environment Facility grant facilitated through NBS Invest —is implementing the Second Sao Tome and Principe Transport Sector Development and Resilience Project . The project will rehabilitate 16 kilometers of vulnerable coastal roads while integrating nature-based and gender-sensitive approaches into transport planning and policy.
[...]
Nature-based approaches create even more opportunities for local work. A cornerstone of road resilience in São Tomé and Príncipe is the country’s community‑based road maintenance system. Known as Grupos de Interesse para a Manutenção de Estradas (“Interest Groups for Road Maintenance”; GIMEs), these groups employ around 1,350 workers, providing income to more than 7,000 family members.
[...]
Positive impacts are expected to become quickly visible: rebuilt sections of the road will recover more quickly from heavy rains, and communities will be more involved in road management. National engineers and technicians will gain expertise in climate resilience and NBS, strengthening the country’s long-term capacity.