Moving to Equatorial Guinea: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

1,795,834

Population Growth Rate

2.58%

Urban Population

39.500000

Population in Major Urban Areas

MALABO (capital) 137,000

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Age Structure

40.150000

Median Age

19.200000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

34

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.59

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

4.74

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

10.1%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

10.1%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Ethnic Groups

Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish

Nationality Noun

Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

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Literacy - total population

87%

Literacy - male

93.3%

Literacy - female

78.4%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

0.6%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

9.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

63.120000

Infant Mortality Rate

73.120000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

73.120000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

240

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.3

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.1

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

4%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

Very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.6%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

65.500000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

92.200000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

10.6%

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Economic Overview

Exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%.

Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP.

Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth.

Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood.

Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population’s living conditions.

Equatorial Guinea’s real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector.

Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014.

As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding.

The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services.

Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals.

In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop.

Industries

Petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-9.9%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$23,860,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$38,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-9.9%

GDP - official exchange rate

$11,640,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 25.6% Government
• consumption: 5.7% Investment in fixed
• capital: 69.7% Investment in
• inventories: 0.1% Exports of goods and
• services: 53.4% Imports of goods and
• services: -54.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

8.8%

GDP by Sector- Industry

71.7%

GDP by Sector- services

16.5%

Industrial Growth Rate

-6.7%

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Inflation Rate

3.1%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

605.7

Currency Name and Code

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF)

Fiscal Year

Calendar Year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

14%

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Labor Force

195,200

Unemployment Rate

22.3%

Major Industries

Petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling

Agriculture Products

• Coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts
• livestock
• timber

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

35,382

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

28%

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Annual Budget

$2,436,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

24.3%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-3.7%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

20.9%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Country Name

Equatorial Guinea

Local - Long

Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ Republique de Guinee Equatoriale (French)

Local - Short

Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ Guinee Equatoriale (French)

Former Name

Spanish Guinea

Etymology- history of name

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

Independence

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

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Government Type

Presidential republic

Constitution

• History: Previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991
• Amendments: Proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three-fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires a three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president; amended several times, last in 2012

Legal System:

Mmixed system of civil and customary law

Executive Branch:

• Chief of state: President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); First Vice President Teodoro Nguema OBIANG Mangue (since 20 November 2022)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Manuela ROKA Botey (since 1 February 2023); First Deputy Prime Minister Clemente Engonga NGUEMA Onguene (since 23 June 2016); Second Deputy Prime Minister Angel MESIE Mibuy (since 5 February 2018); Third Deputy Prime Minister Alfonso Nsue MOKUY (since 23 June 2016)
• Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister
• Elections/Appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 November 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
• Election results: 2022: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 95%, other 6.1%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (70 seats statutory, 74 seats for current term; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, 15 appointed by the president, and 4 ex-officio) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
• Elections:
• Senate - last held on 19 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
• Chamber of Deputies - last held on 19 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
• Election results:
• Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; elected seats by party - PDGE 55; composition (including 15 appointed and 2 ex-officio) - men 58, women 16, percent of women 21.6%
• Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 100;
• Composition: men 69, women 31, percent of women 31%;
• Note: total National Assembly percent of women 27%

Judicial Branch:

• 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; note - judges subject to dismissal by the president at any time
• Subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals

Regions or States:

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

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Center Right Union or UCD [Avelino MOCACHE Mehenga]
• Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Andres ESONO ONDO]
• Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO and Jeronimo OSA OSA Ecoro ]
• Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD [Alfonso Nsue MOKUY]
• Liberal Party or PL [Salvador NGUEMA MANGUE]
• National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE) [Agustin MASOKO Abegue]
• National Democratic Party (PNDGE) [Celestino MBOMIO AKIEME]
• National Democratic Union or UDENA [Deogracias Dueberibe EDU]
• National Union for Democracy PUNDGE [vacant]
• Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Edouardo MBA BACALE]
• Popular Union or UP [Alfredo Mitogo MITOGO ADE]
• Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP [Francisco Mba OLO BAHAMONDE]
• Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP [Deogracias KUNG NSUE]
• Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD) [Buenaventura MONSUY ASUMU]
• Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE [Marcos NZE MABALE]
• Social Democratic Union or UDS [Miguel MBA NZANG]
• Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea [Jusus Pablo OYONO]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• 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

Capital 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.

Capital - geographic coordinate

3 45 N, 8 47 E

Capital Time Difference

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

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International Organization Participation:

• 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)

International Law Organization Participation:

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• 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: Malaboconsular@state.gov
• Website: https://gq.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 19 October 2023
• Chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700
• FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252
• Email: info@egembassydc.com
• Website: https://www.egembassydc.com/
• Consulate(s) General: Houston, New York

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Total Area

10,830 Square Miles 28,051 Square Kilometers

Land Area

10,830 Square Miles 28,051 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

335 Miles 539 Kilometers

Border Countries

Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Coastline

184 Miles 296 Kilometers

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Terrain

Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Highest Point

3,008 Meters

Highest Point Location

Pico Basile 3,008 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Oil, petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium, titanium, iron ore

Time Zone

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

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Climate

Tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain

Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Location

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

Total Area

10,830 Square Miles 28,051 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Environment - Current Issues

Tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$5,064,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$3,030,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Petroleum products, timber

Major Imports

Petroleum sector equipment, other equipment, construction materials, vehicles

Top Export Partners

China 16.6%, South Korea 15.1%, Spain 9%, Brazil 8.2%, Netherlands 6.8%, South Africa 6.6%, India 5.8%, UK 5.7%, France 5.7%

Top Import Partners

Netherlands 16.9%, Spain 16.3%, China 14.8%, US 8.9%, Cote dIvoire 6%, France 4.8%

Export Partners

China 16.6%, South Korea 15.1%, Spain 9%, Brazil 8.2%, Netherlands 6.8%, South Africa 6.6%, India 5.8%, UK 5.7%, France 5.7%

Import Partners

Netherlands 16.9%, Spain 16.3%, China 14.8%, US 8.9%, Cote dIvoire 6%, France 4.8%

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Country Description

Equatorial Guinea is an oil-rich, developing country on the western coast of central Africa.

Its capital and main port, Malabo, is located on the island of Bioko, off the coast of Cameroon.

A secondary port, Luba, is also on Bioko.

The mainland territory of Equatorial Guinea is bordered by Cameroon and Gabon.

The principal city on the mainland is Bata.

Official languages are Spanish, which is widely spoken, and French, which is not widely understood, but sometimes used in business dealings.

Equatorial Guinea is nominally a multiparty constitutional republic.

In practice, however, all branches of government are dominated by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled since 1979.

In November 2009, he was declared the winner of the presidential election with more than 95 percent of the vote.

Facilities for tourism are limited but growing.

Cash machines are rare and often out of service.

The cash machine located at Malabo’s airport and one at the SGBGE Bank in downtown Malabo are open to the public; other cash machines that do exist require membership in the local bank.

There are no ATMs outside of Malabo and Bata.

Equatorial Guinea is a beautiful country with many interesting sites and beautiful beaches, but there is little tourism information to assist in planning a vacation.

There is no public transportation and renting a vehicle is difficult.

Rental vehicle choices are limited and can be expensive.

Taxis are readily available in the larger cities and are generally inexpensive.

Unless you pay a significantly higher price, drivers will pick up additional people until the vehicle is full.

Passengers are delivered to their destinations at the convenience of the driver, not the passenger.

Safety & Security

Although large public demonstrations are uncommon, you should avoid large crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations.

In February 2009, approximately 50 gunmen arriving by speedboats attacked government buildings in Malabo but were repelled by Equatoguinean military and police.

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Crime

Violent crime is rare and the overall level of criminal activity is low in comparison to other countries in the region.

However, there has been a rise in non-violent street crime and residential burglaries.

You should exercise prudence and normal caution, including avoiding dark alleys, remote locations, and traveling alone.

Sexual assault is either rare or not reported (there are no crime statistics or studies) and there is no specific group of people specifically targeted.

There is little evidence of racially motivated hate crimes and U.S. citizens are not specifically targeted.

There is also limited evidence of scams or confidence schemes.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.

You will find such products widely available on the streets, local shops, and in market places.

Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.

In addition, carrying them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Equatorial Guinea, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

Persons violating Equatoguinean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Equatorial Guinea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Equatorial Guinea, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities are very limited.

Pharmacies in Malabo and Bata stock basic medicines including antibiotics, but cannot becounted on to supply advanced medications.

Outside of these cities, many medicines are unavailable.

You are advised to carry a supply of properly-labeled prescription drugs and other medications that you require for your entire stay; an adequate supply of prescription or over-the-counter drugs in local stores or pharmacies is generally not available.

The sanitation levels in hospitals are very low, except for the new La Paz Hospitals in Bata and Malabo, which meet the medical standards of a modern hospital in a developed country.

Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services, and patients are sometimes expected to supply their own bandages, linen, and toiletries.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease.

The national government, along with international oil companies in the country, has taken aggressive steps to control the mosquito population and limit the impact of malaria on the population centers in Malabo and Bata.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the type that predominates in Equatorial Guinea, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine.

Travelers to the country are at high risk for contracting malaria; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that you take one of the following anti-malarial drugs: mefloquine,doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™).

If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, you should seek prompt medical attention and tell your physician your travel history and what anti-malarials you have been taking.

Visit the CDC's Travelers' Health page for additional information on malaria, including protective measures.

There are periodic outbreaks of cholera in Equatorial Guinea.

Yellow fever can cause serious medical problems, but the vaccine, required for entry, is very effective in preventing the disease.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Equatorial Guinea.

For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.

Many insect-borne illnesses are present.

Insect precautions are encouraged at all times.

Avoid non-chlorinated freshwater contact on the mainland to lessen the risk of Schistosomiasis.

Traffic Safety

While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Equatorial Guinea is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Generally, Equatorial Guinea's road networks are increasingly well developed.

Nevertheless, livestock and pedestrians still create road hazards.

New road construction and repair is taking place all over the country, and road conditions have improved markedly over the course of the past year.

If you plan on staying in Equatorial Guinea and driving around the country for any length of time, you should attempt to purchase a cell phone for assistance in case of an emergency.

Travelers outside the limits of Malabo and Bata will encounter military roadblocks.

You should be prepared to show proper identification (for example, a U.S. passport) and to explain your reason for being at that particular location.

The personnel staffing these checkpoints normally do not speak or understand English or French; travelers who do not speak Spanish should have their reason for being in the country and their itinerary written down in Spanish before venturing into the countryside.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

There are currently no distracted driving laws in effect in the Equatorial Guinea, but police may pull over drivers who talk or text while driving for not following unspecific safe driving procedures.

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Airports - total

7

Airports with Paved Runways

6

Roadways- total

1,790 Miles 2,880 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Bata, Luba, Malabo

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Pipelines: Condensate

26 Miles 42 Kilometers

Pipelines: Gas

49 Miles 79 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

44 Miles 71 Kilometers

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Telephones

10,000

Cell Phones

220,000

Internet Users

8,000

Internet Country Code

.gq

Internet Hosts

9

Broadcast Media

• State maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 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 accessible

Telephone System

• assessment: Digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage
• Domestic: Fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2011 stood at about 60 percent of the population
• International: Country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

26,040,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

28,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,580,000,000

Natural Gas Exports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

5,260,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

6,880,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

36,810,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,588

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

319,100

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

420,000

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,100,000,000

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Anthem History

• Name: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)
• Lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)
• Note: Adopted 1968

Anthem Lyrics

Caminemos pisando las sendas[b] De nuestra inmensa felicidad.

En fraternidad, sin separación, ¡Cantemos Libertad!

Tras dos siglos de estar sometidos Por la dominación colonial,[c] En fraterna unión, sin discriminar, ¡Cantemos Libertad!

Coro: ¡Gritemos viva, libre Guinea, Y defendamos nuestra Libertad.

Cantemos siempre, libre Guinea, Y conservemos siempre la unidad. ¡Gritemos viva, libre Guinea, Y defendamos nuestra Libertad.

Cantemos siempre, libre Guinea,

Anthem Lyrics English

Let us walk treading the paths Of our immense happiness.

In brotherhood, without separation, Let us sing Freedom!

After two centuries of being subjected By colonial domination, In fraternal union, without discrimination, Let's sing Freedom!

Chorus: Let us shout long live free Guinea!, and let us defend our Freedom.

Let us always sing free Guinea, And let us always preserve the unity.

Let us shout long live free Guinea!, and let us defend our Freedom.

Let us always sing free Guinea,