Unseen Africa: Touring São Tomé and Príncipe
In 2024, I was awarded a $2,000 grant as part of the Move Africa project, commissioned by the African Union Commission and supported by Africa No Filter (ANF) with funding from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
This grant was meant to fund my proposal to tour São Tomé and Príncipe to capture its breathtaking landscapes, and tourist attractions, and to learn more about the local culture, cuisine, and arts etc. The goal? To challenge stereotypes about African tourism and start conversations about a borderless Africa—where travel within the continent is seamless and Africa’s beauty is celebrated.
São Tomé and Príncipe is one of Africa's least-visited countries, attracting only about 10,000 international visitors annually. It remains a pristine paradise waiting to be discovered.
But executing this project wasn’t easy. The timeline clashed with my move to the UK for my master’s in creative writing. It meant I couldn't travel to São Tomé and Príncipe to carry out the project. I was at a crossroads.
After countless sleepless nights and consultations, my friend and favorite producer, Elvis Damptey, stepped in. He took on the challenge of producing the project, and together, we built a dream team—an incredible cinematographer based in São Tomé (and his crew) and the talented editor, Bolanle. It has been months of hard work and dedication.
Today, what we have is an incredible short documentary that I am immensely proud of! It is everything I envisioned and more—a love letter to São Tomé and Príncipe, an invitation to explore its hidden gems, and a bold statement that Africa is more than what mainstream Western media portrays.
Watch the trailer here:
I am proud that this project contributes to the conversation about showcasing Africa's diversity and splendour, challenging the stereotypes and the possibility of a borderless Africa.
The Move Africa initiative is not just about travel; it’s about transformation.
It’s about uniting Africa beyond political borders through tourism, business and culture.
A truly borderless Africa means a stronger Africa.
