São Tomé and Príncipe joins African Legal Support Facility, boosting legal aid for African nations

São Tomé and Príncipe has ratified the Agreement establishing the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), paving the way for full membership in the Facility.

By joining, the island nation has cemented its commitment to supporting lean frameworks and technical expertise across the continent. The move also demonstrates the strong relationship between the Sao Tome and Principe government and the ALSF, which is hosted by the African Development Bank.

ALSF plays a crucial role in providing legal and technical support to African governments in negotiating complex commercial transactions and legal disputes. This includes ongoing advisory service and capacity building, particularly in the energy sector.

Sao Tome’s President Carlos Vila Nova ratified the agreement on 1 March. Receipt of the instrument of ratification by the Director of the ALSF will represent São Tomé and Príncipe's full accession. The country has a longstanding relationship with the Facility, collaborating on various projects.

The latest ratification will enhance the ALSF’s ongoing provision of legal and technical support in commercial transactions, litigation, capacity building, public-private partnerships (PPPs), energy, minerals, natural resources, and sovereign debt restructuring.

About the ALSF

The ALSF was established in 2008 as an international organization hosted by the African Development Bank. Its mandate is to assist African governments with legal and technical support in negotiating complex commercial transactions, litigation, capacity building, public-private partnerships (PPPs), energy, minerals and natural resources, and sovereign finance.