From forced labour to World Heritage: Sao Tome's colonial plantations

Sao Tome and Principe's "Rocas" – colonial-era plantations – have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2026, in recognition of their architecture and their fundamental importance to the country’s history. While the majority of them now lie derelict, they are attracting increasing interest from investors keen to develop the tourism potential of the history-steeped buildings.