BEFIRM defines three São Tomé landing-site scopes before works award

Published scope and current milestone

AfDB's portfolio record dates approval to 5 December 2025 and financing signature to 9 February 2026. It shows a UA 16.5 million commitment, zero disbursement at review and planned completion on 31 December 2030. AfDB's 19 December 2025 announcement gives the USD 21.9 million public value, three-port outcome, Port Santo António Praia support, 400 boats, cold-chain outputs and 2026-2030 programme window. The appraisal report identifies advance procurement for design and supervision, while site disclosures define Porto Alegre, Neves and Chimalô concept and safeguard interfaces. São Tomé and Príncipe's investment portal independently places Neves, Porto Alegre and Chimalô inside a six-quay programme and records an EUR 18.8 million combined financing frame; it does not identify a works award. Contractor award, notice to proceed, physical progress and an accepted marine asset remain outside the published programme record.

Contract packaging and mobilisation implications

BEFIRM's three landing sites are small, but their delivery problems are recognisably marine: quay geometry, limited dredging, cabotage access and drainage sit alongside cold chain, logistics, community continuity and resettlement. The scopes are clear enough to monitor, while the programme's USD 21.9 million value still cannot be treated as a civil-works contract.