Equatorial Guinea - GQ - GNQ - GEQ - Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022)

embassy: Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo

mailing address: 2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone: [240] 333 09-57-41

email address and website:
Malaboconsular@state.gov

https://gq.usembassy.gov/

0-14 years: 35.6% (male 330,636/female 309,528)

15-64 years: 59.4% (male 585,139/female 481,121)

65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 46,610/female 42,800)

2 00 N, 10 00 E

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.22 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female

total population: 1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

violent windstorms; flash floods

volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel and two dormant volcanoes form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

slightly smaller than Maryland

18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 24-month service obligation (2023)

Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.

In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system.

Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs.&nbsp

deforestation (agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution; tap water non-potable; wildlife preservation

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban

1% of GDP (2024)
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

crude petroleum, natural gas, alcohols, wood, scrap iron (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)

note: the National Police report to the Ministry of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events

revenues: $3.62 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $1.512 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

name: Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region.

geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: English settlers who founded the city in 1827 named it Port Clarence after the Duke of CLARENCE; the Spanish renamed it Santa Isabel in 1843, for Queen ISABELLA II of Spain; it was renamed again in 1973 after King MALABO (1837–1937), the last king of the Bubi (local ethnic group)

ships, poultry, plastic products, beer, valves (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

tropical; always hot, humid

296 km

history: previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991

amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
606.345 (2024 est.)
606.57 (2023 est.)
623.76 (2022 est.)
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)

chief of state: President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)

head of government: Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua (since 17 August 2024)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister

election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

most recent election date: 20 November 2022

election results:
2022: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 95%, other 6.1%

2016: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5%

expected date of next election: 2029

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree; below is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green stands for the jungle and natural resources, blue for the sea, white for peace, and red for the fight for independence

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the President of the Supreme Court and nine judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for five-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies

subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals

total: 528 km

border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km

agricultural land: 3.7% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)

forest: 86.7% (2022 est.)

other: 9.6% (2022 est.)

mixed system of civil and customary law

legislature name: Parliament (Parlamento)

legislative structure: bicameral

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the equator passes through Equatorial Guinea -- the mainland part of the country is located just north of the equator

growing CEMAC economy and new OPEC member; large oil and gas reserves; targeting economic diversification and poverty reduction; still recovering from CEMAC crisis; improving public financial management; persistent poverty; hard-hit by COVID-19

Center Right Union or UCD
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS 
Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE 
Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD 
Liberal Party or PL 
National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE) 
National Democratic Party (PNDGE) 
National Democratic Union or UDENA 
National Union for Democracy PUNDGE 
Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE 
Popular Union or UP 
Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP 
Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP 
Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD) 
Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE 
Social Democratic Union or UDS 
Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea 

18 years of age; universal

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

presidential republic

conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea

conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea

local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ République de Guinée équatoriale (French)

local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/Guinée équatoriale (French)

former: Spanish Guinea

etymology: the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the "equatorial" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator

Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

Africa

NA

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 27 February 2024)

chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700

FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252

email address and website:
info@egembassydc.com

https://www.egembassydc.com/

consulate(s) general: Houston

percent of population: 60% (2023 est.)

.gq

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/equatorial-guinea/

26 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

urban population: 74.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

the state maintains control of broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son, 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019)

improved:

urban: 81.7% of population

rural: 32.1% of population

total: 67.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 18.3% of population

rural: 67.9% of population

total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.)

title: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)

lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)

history: adopted 1968

297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

silk cotton tree

NA

total dependency ratio: 68.4 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 60 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 11.9 (2024 est.)

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map

electrification - total population: 67% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 89.8%

electrification - rural areas: 1.4%

3C

improved:

urban: 81.2% of population

rural: 63.4% of population

total: 76.2% of population

unimproved:

urban: 18.8% of population

rural: 36.6% of population

total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.)

Fang 78.1%, Bubi 9.4%, Ndowe 2.8%, Nanguedambo 2.7%, Bisio 0.9%, foreigner 5.3%, other 0.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)

Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d'Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 577 m

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

3.4% of GDP (2021)

4.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea (FAGE) are responsible for defending the territory and sovereignty of the country; the FAGE also has some internal security duties, including fulfilling some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas; maritime security, particularly protecting offshore oil installations and combating piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea, is a key priority (2024)

estimated 2,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)

the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2024)

municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 25.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.65 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 11.21 megatons (2020 est.)

imports: 8 metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 68.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 31.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

production: 6.013 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 2.332 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 3.63 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

total petroleum production: 98,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)

2.03 (2024 est.)

60.2% (2023 est.)

0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)

total ports: 7 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 1

very small: 6

ports with oil terminals: 6

key ports: Bata, Ceiba Terminal, Cogo, Luba, Malabo, Punta Europa Terminal, Serpentina Terminal

chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de los Diputados)

number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/20/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (100)

percentage of women in chamber: 31%

expected date of next election: November 2027

chamber name: Senate (Senado)

number of seats: 70 (55 directly elected; 15 appointed)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/20/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (55)

percentage of women in chamber: 25%

expected date of next election: November 2027

green, white, red, blue

12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 22.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 22.7 years

female: 21.5 years

174 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

4.12 children born/woman (2024 est.)

total: 1,795,834 (2024 est.)

male: 962,385

female: 833,449

5.471 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 1 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 896,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 4.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 28,051 sq km

land: 28,051 sq km

water: 0 sq km

7 (2025)

total: 77.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 83.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 71.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 893,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2022 est.)

total: 2,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

8% (2016)

54.509 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

29 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 349,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 1.402 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 170.527 million kWh (2023 est.)

total: 53 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 16, oil tanker 7, other 29

total subscriptions: 11,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) less than 1

total: 6.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 1.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 63.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 61.6 years

female: 66.2 years

3.23% (2024 est.)

lowest 10%: 2.6% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 29.1% (2022 est.)

$12.766 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

household consumption: 52.9% (2024 est.)

government consumption: 28.3% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 9.1% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.1% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services: 35.2% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services: -25.4% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

715,000 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 14.7% (2024 est.)

male: 13.9% (2024 est.)

female: 15.7% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

$1.538 billion (2023 est.)
$1.458 billion (2022 est.)
$44.271 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

7.9% (2024 est.)
8.4% (2023 est.)
8.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

6.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$29.248 billion (2024 est.)
$28.985 billion (2023 est.)
$30.539 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

38.5 (2022 est.)

4.8% (2022 est.)
-0.1% (2021 est.)
4.8% (2020 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$738 million (2017 est.)
-$1.457 billion (2016 est.)

$15,500 (2024 est.)
$15,700 (2023 est.)
$16,900 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$3.24 billion (2024 est.)
$3.065 billion (2023 est.)
$3.948 billion (2022 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$4.489 billion (2024 est.)
$4.516 billion (2023 est.)
$7.25 billion (2022 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

0.9% (2024 est.)
-5.1% (2023 est.)
3.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.8% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 3.1% (2024 est.)

industry: 45.8% (2024 est.)

services: 51.1% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data