By Africa Live News Staff
At dawn in Abade, a small fishing village on Príncipe Island in the Gulf of Guinea, Paula Afè Do Espiritu Afonso walks to the shore to meet fishermen returning with their overnight catch of bonito, barracuda, pargo, vermelho, and corvina. While a portion of this fresh fish is sold locally, most is processed in Príncipe and then shipped across the waters to the capital fish market on São Tomé Island—underscoring fish’s central role in the national diet and economy.
Fisheries: The Lifeblood of a Nation
For São Tomé and Príncipe—with its population of roughly 200,000 spread across two main islands—fish is not just a staple food; it’s the backbone of artisanal livelihoods, the second-largest economic driver after cocoa. Thousands of households rely on small-scale fishing not only for sustenance but also for income, provides direct employment along the entire value chain: from capture to processing, marketing, and sales.
FISH4ACP and the Power of Women
The FAO’s FISH4ACP program plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Active across 12 African, Caribbean, and Pacific Island nations, it aims to increase economic returns and social benefits from fisheries while protecting marine ecosystems. One key focus? Empowering women and youth in small and medium enterprises.
On Príncipe, Paula is one of a growing number of women fishmongers who formed a cooperative. Together, they share costs—ice, fuel, transport—pool savings weekly, and deposit funds into a bank account, giving them financial stability and autonomy. As treasurer, Paula ensures transparency and trust among members.
“Together we are stronger. We share the burden and the benefits… Our children go to school with what we earn,” she says.
Financial Institutions Join the Wave
Taking note of these women’s business acumen, Francisco Piedade, CEO of Banco Internacional de São Tomé e Príncipe (BISTP), has pledged support:
“Our bank understands these women are managing businesses, not just fish,” he explains. “We’re ready to provide financial tools to help them grow.”
From savings accounts to micro-loans, the financial sector is beginning to recognize women-led cooperatives as viable enterprises, offering much-needed capital for scaling operations and improving processing standards.
Boosting Quality, Preserving Nature
These grassroot initiatives are accompanied by on-the-ground improvements in processing infrastructure. Pilot projects are introducing solar drying racks, eco-friendly smoking kilns, and insulated containers—ensuring fish remains high quality and safe, reducing waste, and opening avenues toward regional markets.
Training sessions cover sustainable fishing methods, hygiene protocols, record-keeping, and cooperative management. As Paula notes:
“I now understand the importance of hygiene, how to manage our savings, and how to calculate profit. We are becoming more professional every day.”
Government Policies and Regional Opportunity
São Tomé and Príncipe’s government is aligning policy with this momentum. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development is embedding gender equity into its fisheries strategy, aiming to unlock financing, market access, and technical support. Talks are underway with regional trade bodies to grant preferential access to processed fish products—a critical step for export potential.
A high-level spokesperson notes:
“Supporting women entrepreneurs is not just about fairness—it makes smart economic sense.”
A Ripple Effect
Paula’s cooperative has inspired other villages to form their own groups. There is even discussion of creating a national network of women fishmongers across both islands. For young women, seeing community leaders like Paula manage finances and negotiate deals serves as powerful motivation:
“My daughter helps me at the stall sometimes. She says she wants to be like me—but smarter,” Paula beams.
Overcoming Hurdles, Scaling Up
Challenges remain: limited transport infrastructure, cold chain logistics, and strict standards for export markets stand as barriers. The remote location of the islands also amplifies cost and complexity in reaching wider markets.
Yet plans are underway to advance these areas. With additional investment in transport, certification, and industry-standard processing, the fisheries sector could expand beyond local markets to compete regionally—transforming livelihoods and lifting entire communities.
A Model for Inclusive Development
São Tomé and Príncipe’s women-led fisheries exemplify sustainable, inclusive growth for small island nations. Through public-private partnerships, community organizing, and global institutional support, local fishing efforts are evolving into economic enterprises, climate-resilient practices, and avenues for gender equity.
For Paula, the future is clear:
“We are showing the younger generation that this is a business—not just survival, but a way to thrive.”
By harnessing artisanal traditions, women’s leadership, and financial inclusion, São Tomé and Príncipe is crafting a new blueprint—one where empowerment, sustainability, and economic vitality come together in harmony.
