São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation in West Africa with rapid urbanization driven by natural resource extraction and international migration. Informal settlements, characterized by inadequate infrastructure and services, pose significant challenges to social welfare. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews was employed. The survey targeted residents in five informal settlements across the country to gather data on access to services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation facilities. The survey revealed a critical shortage of basic services like clean water (70% of respondents reported issues) and reliable electricity supply (65%), with significant disparities between urban centers and rural areas. Socioeconomic status was strongly correlated with service access; residents in lower-income brackets had less access to essential amenities. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve services in informal settlements, particularly focusing on water and electricity infrastructure improvements to enhance social welfare outcomes. Policy recommendations include increased investment in community-led projects, collaboration between government agencies and non-profit organizations, and implementation of sustainable energy solutions to address service inadequacies in these areas.