There is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in São Tomé e Príncipe to deliver telecom services to end users under Art. 8.8 of Decree No. 6/2013. It is practised in both the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.

The government owns 49% of the shares of Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicações, SARL (CST).

São Tomé e Príncipe is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA I) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II). In fact, São Tomé e Príncipe is not a member of the WTO, although it is an observer.

According to Art. 43 of Law No. 8/2009, domestic preference margins may be applied in international public tenders, allowing up to 7.5% for works and up to 10% for goods and services produced in São Tomé e Príncipe.

São Tomé e Príncipe is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), nor does it have observer status. In fact, São Tomé e Príncipe is not a member of the WTO, although it is an observer.

Art. 13 of Law No. 2/93 states that journalistic companies with a profit motive, based in the country and subject only to São Toméan law, may have foreign capital participation up to 25% and without voting rights. This includes online newspapers. In fact, Art. 10 defines journalistic companies as those whose main purpose is the collection, processing and dissemination of news, comments and images intended for publication in the periodical press.

The Consumer Protection Act provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.

Saint Lucia has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Saint Lucia has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Saint Lucia has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

According to Art. 3 of the Trade Licences Act, foreign companies shall not engage in trade without a trade licence and the approval of the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs or from Invest Saint Lucia. Under Arts. 5-6 of the Act, the application for the licence is considered by the Trade License Advisory Board, which makes a recommendation to the Minister, who then grants the final approval. It is reported that some exceptions apply to CARICOM companies.

According to Section 47 of the Data Protection Act, any individual or company that seeks to collect, transfer, or process personal data must have a certification as a data controller. The data controller is the representative in charge of processing personal data and must make an application for registration to the Commissioner. The Commissioner can reject the license if it reasonably believes that (a) the particulars proposed for inclusion in an entry in the register are insufficient or any other information required by the Commissioner either has not been furnished or is insufficient; (b) appropriate safeguards for the protection of the privacy of the data subjects concerned are not being, or will not continue to be, provided by the data controller; or (c) the person applying for registration is not fit and proper in the determination of the Commissioner.

There are reportedly 21 investment areas, including trading imports, that are designated exclusively for Saint Lucian nationals. However, authorities have observed that this restriction is not consistently enforced. Exemptions have been reported for substantial investments or when local investors either lack business interest or do not possess the necessary technology.