Manuel Pinto da Costa (born 5 August 1937) is a Santomean economist and politician who served as the first president of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1975 to 1991.

Despite his previous declaration, Pinto da Costa returned to contest elections in 1996, but was narrowly defeated, taking 47.26% of the vote, by Trovoada.

In a run-off round on 7 August, he defeated rival Evaristo Carvalho from the Independent Democratic Action party (Portuguese: Acção Democratica Independente, ADI), taking 53% of the votes.

[7] His bid was given the backing of most of the other major candidates, including former Prime Minister Maria das Neves, who claimed "Pinto da Costa's plan could bring more hope to our country".

[8] Some analysts, however, raised concerns that the former president's victory might trigger a return to the authoritarian rule seen during his previous period in power.