List of Presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1975 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of São Tomé and Príncipe, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of São Tomé and Príncipe: Carlos Vila Nova (in office since 2021).

Presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe in order, with years in office

Manuel Pinto da Costa

Served: 1975–1991, 2011–2016

First president after independence on 12 July 1975; returned to the presidency as an independent in 2011 and served until September 2016.

Miguel Trovoada

Served: 1991–2001

First president elected after the return to multiparty democracy; served two terms.

Fradique de Menezes

Served: 2001–2011

Served from September 2001 to September 2011; he was briefly removed in a July 2003 coup and returned a week later.

Evaristo Carvalho

Served: 2016–2021

Won the 2016 runoff and served one term; he died in 2022.

Carlos Vila Nova

Served: 2021–present

Took office on 2 October 2021 and was re-elected in the 19 July 2026 election with 55.88% of the vote, standing as an independent.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe

Who is the current president of São Tomé and Príncipe?

The current head of state of São Tomé and Príncipe is Carlos Vila Nova, in office since 2021.

Who were the previous presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe?

The presidents and heads of state of São Tomé and Príncipe listed on this page, in order, are: Manuel Pinto da Costa, Miguel Trovoada, Fradique de Menezes, Evaristo Carvalho, Carlos Vila Nova.

Who was the first president of São Tomé and Príncipe?

Manuel Pinto da Costa was the first president of São Tomé and Príncipe, in office 1975–1991, 2011–2016.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe; Reuters, Lusa and Constitutional Court reports on the July 2026 election (checked Nov 2026). Five presidents since 1975.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Africa countries

Presidents of Algeria · Presidents of Angola · Presidents of Benin · Presidents of Botswana · Presidents of Burkina Faso · Presidents of Burundi · Presidents of Cameroon · Presidents of Cape Verde · Presidents of Central African Republic · Presidents of Chad · Presidents of Comoros · Presidents of Democratic Republic of the Congo · Presidents of Djibouti · Presidents of Egypt · Presidents of Equatorial Guinea · Presidents of Eritrea · Presidents of Ethiopia · Presidents of Gabon · Presidents of Gambia · Presidents of Ghana · Presidents of Guinea · Presidents of Guinea-Bissau · Presidents of Ivory Coast · Presidents of Kenya · Presidents of Liberia · Presidents of Madagascar · Presidents of Malawi · Presidents of Mali · Presidents of Mauritania · Presidents of Mauritius · Presidents of Mozambique · Presidents of Namibia · Presidents of Niger · Presidents of Nigeria · Presidents of Republic of the Congo · Presidents of Rwanda · Presidents of Senegal · Presidents of Seychelles · Presidents of Sierra Leone · Presidents of Somalia · Presidents of South Africa · Presidents of South Sudan · Presidents of Sudan · Presidents of Tanzania · Presidents of Togo · Presidents of Tunisia · Presidents of Uganda · Presidents of Zambia · Presidents of Zimbabwe · All Africa presidents