India Donates Six School Buses to Sao Tome and Principe
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Synopsis
India has gifted six school buses to Sao Tome and Principe as part of its development assistance to the Global South, enhancing educational access and strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
Key Takeaways
- India donated six school buses to Sao Tome and Principe.
- The gift aims to enhance educational accessibility.
- Formal handover took place on April 10, 2025.
- Previous medical supplies were also sent by India.
- Strong bilateral relations are being developed.
New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) On Friday, India revealed that it has generously donated a fleet of six school buses to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe as part of its ongoing development aid to the Global South.
The formal handover took place on April 10 in Sao Tome, with Deepak Miglani, the Ambassador of India to Sao Tome and Principe, presenting the buses to Isabel Maria Correia Viegas de Abreu, the Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Higher Education, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The MEA noted that this initiative is a direct response to a request from the Government of Sao Tome and Principe, aimed at enhancing access to school education.
This support is expected to strengthen the school transport system in Sao Tome and Principe, ensuring safer travel for students, lowering educational expenses for families, and improving access to education. Previously, in January 2025, India dispatched a shipment of medical supplies, including essential medicines, to support the healthcare system of Sao Tome and Principe.
The MEA emphasized that the relationship between India and Sao Tome and Principe is close and amicable, with both nations diversifying their bilateral collaboration. The donation of school buses exemplifies India's commitment to development assistance in the Global South.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established in August 2024 between India and Sao Tome and Principe for the donation of these school buses, showcasing India's goodwill.
In a similar act of support, India provided 150 computers to Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019 to enhance information technology in the Ministries and secondary schools.
Sao Tome and Principe also signed the Framework Agreement on the International Solar Alliance in February 2018 and ratified it, supporting India's bid for the Director General position for the ISA from 2025 to 2029.
The Indian government has also offered humanitarian medical aid to Sao Tome and Principe on multiple occasions, including 24,000 doses of Covax vaccines in March 2021 through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, and a medicine donation in June 2021 at the request of Sao Tome and Principe.
Additionally, anti-TB medications were supplied in May 2023 as part of India's initiative. Life-saving drugs and generic medicines were donated in June 2023, along with humanitarian medical assistance in January 2025 at the request of the Sao Tome and Principe government.
In 2015, the former Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Patrice Emery Trovoada, visited India for the Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) and had bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare.
