Draft:Osvaldo Vaz

Osvaldo Vaz (born October 15, 1969) is a Santomean economist, teacher, and politician affiliated with the MLSTP-PSD. He served as Minister of Planning, Finance, and Blue Economy from December 3, 2018, to September 29, 2021, under President Evaristo Carvalho and Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus. Vaz was a Member of Parliament representing the Lobata district since November 26, 2014.

Biography
Osvaldo Vaz was born in Guadalupe, São Tomé and Príncipe, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He began his career as a mathematics and chemistry teacher in Guadalupe from 1987 to 1992. He later worked as an accountant for Branch Energy Ltd. in Luanda, Angola. Vaz obtained his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Agostinho Neto University in Angola in 1997, followed by a Master's degree in the same field two years later. He served as an economics professor at various institutions in São Tomé and Príncipe, including the Agostinho Neto University and the Universidade Lusíada de São Tomé e Príncipe.

Osvaldo Vaz entered politics through the Youth Wing of the MLSTP-PSD and later held positions in the Lobata district council. He became a member of the National Council and the Political Commission of the MLSTP-PSD. In 2014, Vaz led the MLSTP-PSD in the legislative elections and stood as a candidate for Prime Minister. He prioritized youth, education, and employment in his campaign.

In December 2017, Osvaldo Vaz was implicated in a corruption scandal involving fellow parliamentarians. He resigned from the vice presidency of the MLSTP-PSD but continued to receive support from his party during the legal proceedings. Vaz was dismissed from his positions as Director-General of the National Fuel and Oil Company and the Santomean branch of Sonangol in May 2018.

He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for Lobata in the October 2018 elections and subsequently appointed Minister of Planning, Finance, and Blue Economy in December 2018. Vaz resigned from this position on September 29, 2021.