Country exposure · GQ
Equatorial Guinea
Africa · Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region. · presidential republic
What Equatorial Guinea means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$96M
U.S. imports, 2025
-25.1%
change in one year
$84M
U.S. exports, 2025
2M
Population
$12.8B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Equatorial Guinea makes
America bought $96M in goods from Equatorial Guinea in 2025 — down 25.1% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Liquefied petroleum gases
$93M97.6%
U.s. goods returned, and reimports
$2M2.1%
Engines-civilian aircraft
$197K0.2%
Measuring, testing, control instruments
$42K0%
Minimum value shipments
$20K0%
2026 so far (through April): $35M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Equatorial Guinea
$84M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Industrial machines, other
$12MIndustrial engines
$8MDrilling & oilfield equipment
$6MMeat, poultry, etc.
$6MMaterials handling equipment
$5MElectric apparatus
$5MPetroleum products, other
$5MMeasuring, testing, control instruments
$4MTrucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles
$3Mtrucks, buses, SUVs
Where you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea was assigned 13% in April 2025, but its economy is overwhelmingly oil and gas — which fall under the energy carve-out — so real exposure is negligible. It held the 13% rate through August with no deal. Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions, Feb 20, 2026) terminated the IEEPA reciprocal duties, and Proclamation 11012 replaced it with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge effective February 24, 2026; energy imports remain exempt. Equatorial Guinea has no Section 232 steel/aluminum exposure.
Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)
13%
The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
U.S. tariff policy toward Equatorial Guinea has changed 4 times since 2025. This page tracks it.
2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing Equatorial Guinea's 13% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days); energy imports remain exempt.
91 FR 9437 →2025-08-07
13% rate takes effect — no deal reached
In effectExecutive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; with no bilateral agreement, Equatorial Guinea's 13% rate took effect August 7, 2025, the energy carve-out leaving its oil and gas exports untouched.
90 FR 37963 →2025-04-10
Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days
In effectExecutive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including Equatorial Guinea's 13% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days.
90 FR 15625 →2025-04-05
Reciprocal tariff regime begins — Equatorial Guinea assigned 13% (oil exempt)
In effectExecutive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and a 13% country-specific rate for Equatorial Guinea scheduled to take effect April 9 — but oil and gas, nearly all of its exports, fell under the energy carve-out.
90 FR 15041 →
Made for America
What Equatorial Guinea makes for America
Equatorial Guinea is a direct U.S. source of 1 essential good Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
Reference
The country itself
Africa · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
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. 
Geography
- Location
- Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
- Area
- 28,051 sq km
- Climate
- tropical; always hot, humid
- Terrain
- coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
- Natural resources
- petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
- Coastline
- 296 km
- Natural hazards
- 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
People & society
- Population
- 1,795,834 (2024 est.)
- Nationality
- Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
- Ethnic groups
- 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.)
- Languages
- Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d'Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)
- Median age
- 22.3 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 63.9 years (2024 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- 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
- Industries
- petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling
- Agricultural products
- sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)
- Exports - partners
- China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region.
- Independence
- 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
- Constitution
- previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991
- Executive branch
- President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)
- Legislative branch
- Parliament (Parlamento)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
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. 
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Equatorial Guinea. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days.
US Embassy/Consulate
[240] 333 09 57 41; US Embassy in Malabo, Malabo II Highway, (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo, Guinea Equatorial; https://gq.usembassy.gov/; Malaboconsular@state.gov
Telephone Code
240
Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of polio vaccination is required, a polio booster dose required for those who have completed a normal series of the polio vaccine. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical; always hot, humid
Currency (Code)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
Spanish 67%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese, French) 32.4%
Major Religions
Nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, Protestant
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Malabo; Monte Alén National Park; Cascades of Moca; Bioko Island; Bata
Major Sports
Soccer, swimming
Cultural Practices
In some groups, if greeting someone with higher status, it is customary to bow slightly so that your head is lower than theirs.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not expected in most restaurants and hotels except at establishments frequented by expatriates. Guides and private drivers also appreciate a tip of around 10%.
Souvenirs
Traditional African cloth; soapstone, ivory, and wood carvings; woven baskets, tribal masks
Traditional Cuisine
Succotash — a salad-like dish consisting of corn, lima beans, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables sautéed in butter
CIA source last updated
Thursday, September 08, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Thursday, September 08, 2022
Geography
Location
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates
2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area - total
28,051 sq km
Area - land
28,051 sq km
Area - water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries - total
528 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km
Coastline
296 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation - highest point
Pico Basile 3,008 m
Elevation - lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
577 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Land use - agricultural land
3.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
86.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.9% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Population distribution
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
Natural hazards
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
Geography - note
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
People and Society
Population - total
1,795,834 (2024 est.)
Population - male
962,385
Population - female
833,449
Nationality - noun
Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
Nationality - adjective
Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groups
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.)
Languages - Languages
Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d'Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)
Languages - 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.
Religions
Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
35.6% (male 330,636/female 309,528)
Age structure - 15-64 years
59.4% (male 585,139/female 481,121)
Age structure - 65 years and over
5% (2024 est.) (male 46,610/female 42,800)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
68.4 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
60 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
8.4 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
11.9 (2024 est.)
Median age - total
22.3 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
22.7 years
Median age - female
21.5 years
Population growth rate
3.1% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
28.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.81 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
11.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
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
Urbanization - urban population
74.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.22 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
1.09 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
174 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
76.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
83.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
71.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
63.9 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
61.6 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
66.2 years
Total fertility rate
4.05 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.99 (2025 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
8% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
6.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
1.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Country name - conventional short form
Equatorial Guinea
Country name - local long form
Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ République de Guinée équatoriale (French)
Country name - local short form
Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/Guinée équatoriale (French)
Country name - former
Spanish Guinea
Country name - 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
Government type
presidential republic
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 coordinates
3 45 N, 8 47 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - 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)
Administrative divisions
8 provinces ( provincias , singular - provincia ); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Legal system
mixed system of civil and customary law
Constitution - history
previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991
Constitution - 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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua (since 17 August 2024)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - most recent election date
20 November 2022
Executive branch - 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%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2029
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parliament (Parlamento)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de los Diputados)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
100 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
11/20/2022
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (100)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
31%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
November 2027
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Senate (Senado)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
70 (55 directly elected; 15 appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
11/20/2022
Legislative branch - upper chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (55)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
25%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
November 2027
Judicial branch - 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)
Judicial branch - 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
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals
Political parties
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
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 27 February 2024)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 518-5700
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 518-5252
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[240] 333 09-57-41
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
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)
Independence
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the left side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six six-pointed yellow stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield with a silk-cotton tree; below is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice) meaning: green stands for the jungle and natural resources, blue for the sea, white for peace, and red for the fight for independence
National symbol(s)
silk cotton tree
National color(s)
green, white, red, blue
National coat of arms
the national symbol, the silk cotton tree, is in the center of the coat of arms; the tree represents the location where the first treaty was signed between local rulers and the Portuguese; the stars above the tree symbolize the mainland and the five offshore islands; a ribbon below the shield displays the national motto, “Unidad, Paz, Justicia” (Unity, Peace, Justice)
National anthem(s) - title
"Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1968
Economy
Economic overview
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$29.248 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$28.985 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$30.539 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
0.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
-5.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$15,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$15,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$16,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.766 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
4.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
-0.1% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
4.8% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
3.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
45.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
51.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
52.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
28.3% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
9.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
-0.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
35.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-25.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling
Industrial production growth rate
0.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
715,000 (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
7.9% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
8.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
8.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
14.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
13.9% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
15.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
38.5 (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.6% (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
29.1% (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$3.62 billion (2022 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$2.051 billion (2022 est.)
Budget - note
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
Public debt - Public debt 2016
43.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
6.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Exports - Exports 2024
$4.489 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$4.516 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$7.25 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, alcohols, wood, scrap iron (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$3.24 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$3.065 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$3.948 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
ships, poultry, plastic products, beer, valves (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.538 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.458 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$44.271 million (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
67% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
89.8%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
1.4%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
349,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
1.402 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
170.527 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
68.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
31.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
8 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
98,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
6.013 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
2.332 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - exports
3.63 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
54.509 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
11,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
893,441 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
50 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
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)
Internet country code
.gq
Internet users - percent of population
60% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
2,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3C
Airports
7 (2025)
Merchant marine - total
53 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 1, general cargo 16, oil tanker 7, other 29
Ports - total ports
7 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
1
Ports - very small
6
Ports - ports with oil terminals
6
Ports - key ports
Bata, Ceiba Terminal, Cogo, Luba, Malabo, Punta Europa Terminal, Serpentina Terminal
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)
Military and security forces - note
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
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1% of GDP (2024)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 2,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and secondhand 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 (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 for voluntary military service; selective compulsory military service for men; 24-month service obligation (2025)
Military - note
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 (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
5 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation (agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution; tap water non-potable; wildlife preservation
International environmental agreements - 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
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
Land use - agricultural land
3.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
86.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
74.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
5.471 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
1 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
896,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
4.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
26.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
129.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
0.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
10 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
2.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
198,400 tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
23.9% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
15.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
26 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)