BioFlor+ in São Tomé and Príncipe, a partnership for agricultural supply chains in service of biodiversity
On April 17, 2026, at the Alliance Française in São Tomé, a decisive step was taken for forest preservation and the sustainable development of the island: the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the São Toméan government and the French Development Agency (AFD), together with a grant agreement between the AFD and Nitidæ, officially launched the BioFlor+ project.
A ceremony bringing together the project's key stakeholders
The São Toméan Ministers of Justice, Agriculture, and Environment, the French Ambassador to Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mr. O. Delefosse, Director of the AFD agency for those same countries, all took the floor alongside Matthieu Tiberghien, co-director of Nitidæ. Stanislas Radziszewski, BioFlor+ project manager, then walked attendees through the project's ambitions before the official signing of the documents, which was followed by a friendly cocktail reception.
BioFlor+: Making agricultural supply chains the driver of São Tomé and Príncipe's natural capital preservation
In São Tomé and Príncipe, biodiversity and agriculture are not in opposition — they have coexisted for generations within agroforestry systems recognized as GIAHS by the FAO. This living heritage is both precious and increasingly fragile. BioFlor+ aims to build on this legacy, strengthen it, and protect it for the long term, before still-diffuse pressures come to compromise this unique balance.
It is on this foundation that the BioFlor+ project rests (Project in Support of Supply Chains, Biodiversity and Forests), led by Nitidæ with the support of the AFD, over a 4-year period (2026–2030), structured around:
- Strengthening GIAHS agroforestry systems and promoting the adoption of sustainable farming practices
- Structuring environmental and social certification processes
- Integrating biodiversity into public agricultural and land-use planning policies
- Creating local value and diversifying market opportunities for producers
- Including women, youth, and vulnerable groups
A project rooted in national dynamics
BioFlor+ is fully aligned with the national strategy "São Tomé and Príncipe 100% Organic" and contributes to strengthening the archipelago's network of terrestrial and marine protected areas. It is built on multi-stakeholder governance involving the Ministries of the Environment and Agriculture, the AFD and Nitidæ, as well as local partners who ensure strong territorial grounding.
We are deeply grateful to the government of São Tomé and Príncipe and the French Development Agency for their trust and their commitment by our side.
Together, let us durably protect forests and the communities that depend on them!