Equatorial Guinea
Republic of Equatorial GuineaRepublica de Guinea Ecuatorial/
republicIndependence 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
Equatorial Guinea as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 150 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996, 2002, and 2009 presidential elections - as well as the 1999, 2004, and 2008 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed.
The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, improvements in the population's living standards have been slow to develop.
Geography
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
20 fieldsLand useshare of 28,051 sq km
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%)
- per capita:
- 220 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards
violent windstorms; flash floods
- volcanism:
- Santa Isabel (elev. 3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano;
- Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea
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
People and Society
29 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2012 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Ethnic groups(1994 census)
Nationality
- noun:
- Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
- adjective:
- Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Languages
Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) 32.4% (1994 census)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.75 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Major infectious diseases
- degree of risk:
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases:
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne disease:
- malaria and yellow fever
- animal contact disease:
- rabies (2009)
Government
Republic; President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Prime Minister Vicente Ehate TOMI (since 22 May 2012)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 100 seats, elected 4 May 2008one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Equatorial Guinea
- conventional short form:
- Equatorial Guinea
- local long form:
- Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale
- local short form:
- Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale
- former:
- Spanish Guinea
Capital
- name:
- Malabo
- geographic coordinates:
- 3 45 N, 8 47 E
- time difference:
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Vicente Ehate TOMI (since 22 May 2012)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers appointed by the president; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits);
- election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in 2016);
- prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
- election results:
- Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 95.8%, Placido Mico ABOGO 3.6%
Legislative branch
unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
- elections:
- last held on 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1
note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president
Political parties and leaders
- Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo];
- Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO] (ruling party);
- Electoral Coalition or EC;
- Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO];
- Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE];
- Popular Union or UP [Daniel MARTINEZ Ayecaba]
Political pressure groups and leaders
ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); EG Justice (US-based anti-corruption group)
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, 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)
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO
- chancery:
- 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 518-5700
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 518-5252
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Mark L. ASQUINO
- embassy:
- KM-3, Carreterade de Aeropuerto (El Paraiso), Apartado 95, Malabo note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions;
- inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon
- mailing address:
- B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
- telephone:
- [237] 2220-1500
- FAX:
- [237] 2220-1572
Flag description
- 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 and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice);
- green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence
National anthem
- 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
Economy
The discovery and exploitation of large oil and gas reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth, but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years.
34 fieldsNote
GDP - composition by sector(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Economy - overview
The discovery and exploitation of large oil and gas reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth, but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years. Forestry and farming are also minor components of GDP. Subsistence farming is the dominate form of livelihood.
Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement.
The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues; however, in 2010, under Equatorial Guinea's candidacy in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the government published oil revenue figures for the first time. Undeveloped natural resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals.
The economy recovered from the global recession in 2011-12 stimulated by higher oil prices and large investments in public infrastructure and hotels.
Central bank discount rate
8.5% (31 December 2010 est.) · 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Commercial bank prime lending rate
15% (31 December 2012 est.) · 15% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Stock of narrow money
$2.478 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.936 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Stock of broad money
$3.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $2.166 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Stock of domestic credit
$508.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) · $570.8 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Agriculture - products
- coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (manioc), bananas, palm oil nuts;
- livestock;
- timber
Current account balance
$290.2 million (2012 est.) · -$945 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$3.825 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $3.054 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Debt - external
$1.232 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.149 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Exchange rates
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs per US dollar - 511.4 (2012 est.) · 471.87 (2011 est.) · 495.28 (2010 est.) · 472.19 (2009) · 447.81 (2008)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 31,000 kW(2009 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Natural gas - proved reserves
36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
5.005 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general 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) (2011)
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 (2007)
Transportation
7 fieldsMerchant marine, 5 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Military
Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2012)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2012)
Military service age and obligation
- 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service;
- service obligation 2 years;
- women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2012)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
- in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delayed final delimitation;
- UN urged Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Trafficking in persons
- current situation:
- Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation;
- children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation;
- women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation
- tier rating:
- Tier 3 - Equatorial Guinea is not making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards on the elimination of trafficking;
- despite limited law enforcement action against suspected human smugglers and traffickers, including complicit public officials, the government has made no tangible efforts to provide victims of trafficking with the protective services mandated in its 2004 anti-trafficking law;
- prevention efforts have decreased, as the government did not hold any public awareness campaigns and its interagency commission on human trafficking took little, if any, action;
- the government's response to human trafficking has been inadequate, particularly given the government's substantial financial resources (2008)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Equatorial Guinea.” The World Factbook 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/equatorial-guinea/2012.