Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a small yet strategically important nation situated on the west coast of Central Africa, comprising a continental mainland region (Río Muni) and five inhabited islands, the largest of which is Bioko, home to the capital Malabo. Despite its modest area of 28,051 square kilometres, the country holds significant geopolitical and economic importance owing to its petroleum reserves and its location on the Gulf of Guinea, a vital hub for global maritime trade and energy exports.

Historical Background

Before European contact, Equatorial Guinea’s mainland was inhabited by Pygmy groups, later displaced or assimilated by Bantu-speaking migrants during the second millennium B.C. On Bioko Island, the Bubi people developed a distinct culture and political structure around 1000 B.C., maintaining relative autonomy until colonial incursions.
In the 1470s, Portuguese explorers claimed Bioko and nearby territories. Under the Treaty of El Pardo (1778), Portugal ceded these holdings to Spain, forming the basis of Spanish Guinea. Spanish control gradually extended to the mainland (Río Muni) and smaller islands such as Annobón, Corisco, and the Elobey islands.
Colonial rule was characterised by forced labour, plantation agriculture, and limited infrastructure investment. Cocoa and coffee production dominated the economy, worked by local labourers under harsh conditions. Spain’s limited engagement meant the territory remained underdeveloped compared with other African colonies.
As African nationalism spread in the mid-20th century, independence movements gained momentum. Equatorial Guinea achieved independence on 12 October 1968, electing Francisco Macías Nguema as its first president. His regime soon turned despotic, marked by mass executions, economic collapse, and the flight of nearly one-third of the population. His 11-year rule is remembered as one of the most repressive in Africa.
In 1979, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Macías’s nephew, staged a coup that deposed him. Obiang has ruled ever since, making him the world’s longest-serving head of state. His government, dominated by the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), exercises extensive control over the state and media.
The discovery of offshore oil reserves in 1996 transformed Equatorial Guinea from one of Africa’s poorest countries to one of the richest per capita. However, the wealth has been unevenly distributed, with the majority of citizens still facing poverty and limited access to social services. Despite joining OPEC (2017) and maintaining strong ties with regional organisations such as the African Union (AU) and CEMAC, the country continues to grapple with corruption, authoritarianism, and economic dependency on hydrocarbons.

Geography and Environment

Equatorial Guinea borders Cameroon to the north, Gabon to the south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its territorial composition includes:

• Río Muni (mainland): a low coastal plain rising into forested hills inland.
• Bioko Island: volcanic and mountainous, dominated by Pico Basile (3,008 m).
• Annobón, Corisco, Elobey Grande, and Elobey Chico: smaller inhabited islands.

The climate is tropical, hot, and humid throughout the year, with heavy rainfall—especially on Bioko Island, one of the wettest places in Africa. Natural hazards include flash floods, violent windstorms, and potential volcanic activity from Santa Isabel Volcano, dormant since 1923.
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, and diamonds. Forests cover approximately 86.7% of the land, while only 3.7% is used for agriculture.
Environmental concerns include deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution caused by urban and industrial waste. The government has ratified major international environmental agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

People and Society

As of 2024, Equatorial Guinea’s population stands at approximately 1.8 million, making it one of the smallest in Africa by population. Growth remains rapid (3.23% annually), driven by high fertility and inward migration linked to the oil sector.
Ethnic composition:

• Fang (78.1%) – predominant on the mainland.
• Bubi (9.4%) – indigenous to Bioko Island.
• Other minorities: Ndowe, Nanguedambo, and Bisio.
• Foreign residents: 5.3%.

Languages: Spanish (official), French, and Portuguese (also official); Fang, Bubi, and Fa d’Ambô are widely spoken indigenous languages.Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (88%), with smaller communities of Protestants, Muslims, and adherents of traditional beliefs.
Demographic indicators (2024):

• Median age: 22.1 years
• Urban population: 74.4%
• Fertility rate: 4.12 children per woman
• Life expectancy: 63.9 years
• Infant mortality: 77.4 deaths per 1,000 live births

Despite high GDP per capita, social development remains low. Health expenditure is 3.4% of GDP, and medical access outside urban areas is limited, with only 0.15 physicians per 1,000 people. Education enrolment has improved, but quality and access remain inconsistent, particularly for rural and female students.

Government and Politics

Equatorial Guinea is nominally a presidential republic, but functions as a de facto authoritarian state centred on the presidency.

• Head of State: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (since 1979)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua (since 2024)

The Council of Ministers, appointed by the president, controls all executive functions.
Legislature:

• Chamber of Deputies (100 seats) – dominated by PDGE and its allies.
• Senate (70 seats) – 55 elected, 15 appointed.

Women hold 31% of seats in the Chamber and 25% in the Senate.
The judicial system, based on Spanish civil law and customary practices, lacks independence. The Supreme Court of Justice and Constitutional Court are the highest judicial authorities but remain subordinate to the executive.
The national flag features green, white, and red horizontal stripes with a blue triangle. Its coat of arms displays a silk-cotton tree, representing the first treaty between local chiefs and the Portuguese, and six gold stars for the mainland and five inhabited islands. The national motto is “Unidad, Paz, Justicia” (Unity, Peace, Justice).

Economy

Equatorial Guinea’s economy is overwhelmingly resource-dependent, with oil and gas providing about 90% of export revenues. The offshore oil boom beginning in the 1990s propelled the country to middle-income status, though benefits have been concentrated among elites.
Economic data (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $29.25 billion
• GDP per capita: $15,500
• Growth rate: 0.9%
• Gini index: 38.5
• Unemployment: 7.9%

Sectoral composition:

• Agriculture: 3.1%
• Industry: 45.8%
• Services: 51.1%

Major exports: crude oil, natural gas, methanol, wood, and metals.Main trading partners: China (27%), Netherlands, Spain.Imports: machinery, food, vehicles, and plastics, mainly from China, Spain, and the U.S.
The government seeks to diversify the economy through the “Horizon 2020” development plan, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. However, corruption, institutional weakness, and limited human capital remain major barriers.
Despite high per capita income, poverty persists, with many citizens reliant on subsistence trade and informal employment.

Infrastructure and Energy

Equatorial Guinea has invested heavily in infrastructure, particularly in Malabo and Bata, with new highways, ports, airports, and public buildings.
Electricity access: 67% overall (urban: 89.8%, rural: 1.4%).Energy mix: 68.6% fossil fuels, 31.4% hydropower.
Oil production: 98,000 barrels per day (2023)Natural gas reserves: 139 billion cubic metresGas exports: 3.63 billion cubic metres (2023)
The government is expanding renewable energy and regional connectivity projects to sustain long-term energy security.

Defence and Security

The Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE) number approximately 2,000 personnel, comprising the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie. Their missions include national defence, internal security, and maritime patrols in the Gulf of Guinea.
Defence spending: 1% of GDP (2024).Modernisation focuses on naval capability and anti-piracy operations, supported by security cooperation with China, Israel, and Spain.
Maritime security remains a critical concern due to piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing in the Gulf region.

Culture and Heritage

Equatorial Guinea’s culture is a fusion of African traditions and Spanish influences, reflected in its language, religion, and arts. Fang and Bubi communities maintain vibrant oral traditions, music, and dance celebrating ancestry, fertility, and nature.
Spanish serves as the language of administration, education, and literature, fostering cultural continuity with the Hispanic world. Roman Catholicism remains central to national life, shaping festivals, education, and holidays.