Carlos Vila Nova

Carlos Vila Nova
ITU Pictures · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Carlos Vila Nova
Caption	Carlos Vila Nova in 2021
Birth date	1959-07-06
Birth place	Cova Vida, São Tomé Island, São Tomé and Príncipe
Nationality	São Tomé and Príncipe
Occupation	Politician, Entrepreneur
Office	President of São Tomé and Príncipe
Term start	2021-10-02
Predecessor	Evaristo Carvalho

Carlos Vila Nova (born 6 July 1959) is a São Toméan politician, entrepreneur, and physician who has served as President of São Tomé and Príncipe since 2021. He previously held ministerial portfolios in cabinets led by Prime Ministers Patrice Trovoada and Joaquim Rafael Branco, and was a prominent figure in the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party. Vila Nova's presidency has focused on energy, maritime security, and international partnerships with African, European, and Lusophone partners.

Early life and education

Carlos Vila Nova was born on São Tomé Island in Cova Vida, a locality within the district of Mé-Zóchi Region. He completed secondary studies on São Tomé and Príncipe before pursuing medical training in Portugal at institutions affiliated with the University of Lisbon and clinical placements in hospitals in Lisbon and Porto. During his formative years he was exposed to political currents from the era of the Carnation Revolution and decolonization movements across Africa and the Portuguese Empire, influences that intersected with networks tied to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe and later shaped his civic engagement. Vila Nova also undertook management courses and professional development linked to health administration and private sector operations involving partnerships with entities from Angola, Mozambique, and Brazil.

Medical and business career

After qualifying as a physician, Vila Nova worked in clinical and administrative roles at public and private health facilities on São Tomé Island and collaborated with non-governmental organizations with ties to World Health Organization programs and campaigns in Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. He transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding or managing companies engaged in services, retail, and energy-related ventures that interfaced with multinational companies from Portugal, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Spain. Vila Nova's business activities brought him into commercial networks associated with the Chamber of Commerce of São Tomé and Príncipe and investment discussions involving foreign partners such as TotalEnergies stakeholders and regional investors from Cape Verde and Gabon.

Political career

Vila Nova entered national politics through the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP/PSD) and later aligned with the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) coalition led by Patrice Trovoada. He served as Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure, and Urban Development, and later as Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in cabinets under Prime Ministers Joaquim Rafael Branco and Patrice Trovoada, where he engaged with regional fora such as the Economic Community of Central African States and bilateral dialogues with Portugal and Angola. Vila Nova contested legislative elections and was a member of parliamentary delegations that met counterparts from Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and representatives of the European Union. He also participated in diplomatic exchanges involving the United Nations, the African Union, and Lusophone institutions like the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

Presidency

Elected President in 2021, Vila Nova assumed office following a ballot that drew international observation from missions connected to the African Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and diplomatic missions from Portugal, United States Department of State envoys, and representatives of the European Union. His administration prioritized maritime domain awareness in the Gulf of Guinea, energy exploration coordination with firms linked to TotalEnergies and regional operators, and updating legal frameworks to attract investment from partners in Portugal, Norway, and South Africa. Vila Nova convened meetings with heads of state from Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and Cape Verde, and worked with multilateral institutions including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on fiscal arrangements and development financing.

Political positions and policies

Vila Nova has advocated for strengthening relations with Lusophone partners such as Portugal and members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, while deepening security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea with Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola. He supports frameworks to regulate offshore hydrocarbon activities involving companies with links to TotalEnergies, Eni, and regional operators, and has promoted infrastructure projects financed by partners from Portugal, China (through entities connected to the People's Republic of China), and multilateral lenders like the African Development Bank. On public health, Vila Nova emphasizes partnerships with the World Health Organization and bi- and multilateral health initiatives with Portugal and Cuba; on fisheries, he has negotiated arrangements with neighboring states including São Tomé and Príncipe's maritime neighbors and regional bodies such as the Gulf of Guinea Commission. His policy approach combines engagement with the European Union for governance and transparency programs and with regional leaders in the Economic Community of Central African States and African Union for security cooperation.

Personal life

Vila Nova is married and maintains private family ties on São Tomé Island. He balances presidential duties with involvement in philanthropic and cultural initiatives that connect to institutions like the National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe cultural programs, local civic associations, and partnerships with NGOs from Portugal, Brazil, and Cabo Verde. He participates in state ceremonies that host foreign dignitaries from countries including Portugal, Angola, Nigeria, Gabon, and representatives from the European Union mission to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Category:Presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe Category:1959 births Category:Living people