Equatorial Guinea Profile

An Equatorial Guinea country including a social and economic profile together with details of daily life in Equatorial Guinea, news and video. The island of Bioko was first sighted by the Portuguese explorer Fernão do Pó in the late 15th century. For centuries, the islands of Bioko and Annobón, along with the Río Muni mainland, were colonial outposts, first under Portuguese rule and then ceded to Spain in the late 18th century. Unlike other European powers, Spain was a reluctant coloniser, paying little attention to its small equatorial territory, which it used primarily as a source of coffee and cocoa. This period of neglect was followed by one of brutal oppression under the dictatorship of Francisco Macías Nguema after the country gained independence in 1968. His eleven-year reign of terror devastated the nation's economic and social fabric.

This led to the death or exile of a third of the population and the near-total collapse of the cocoa industry. In 1979, his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, seized power in a coup. President Obiang remains in power today, making him one of the world's longest-serving heads of state. His rule, while bringing stability and later immense oil wealth, has been consistently criticised by international observers for authoritarianism, a lack of political freedom, and significant human rights issues. As such, Equatorial Guinea is a notionally democratic state, but in essence one controlled by presidential decree.

The discovery of vast oil and gas reserves in the mid-1990s transformed Equatorial Guinea’s economic fortunes almost overnight and it soon became sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. This catapulted the nation from being one of the poorest in Africa to having one of the highest per capita GDPs on the continent. The skyline of the capital, Malabo, on Bioko Island, and the newly built city of Oyala on the mainland, are testaments to this wealth, featuring modern skyscrapers, government palaces, and extensive infrastructure projects funded by petrodollars. However, this wealth is intensely concentrated.

The economic reality for most citizens is starkly different from the national GDP figures. Despite its riches, the country faces severe challenges in wealth distribution, poverty alleviation, and human development with Equatorial Guinea in 133rd place out of 193 countries and territories in 2025 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a country.

This is because very little of the country's oil wealth has extended to the poorer in society, with some 70% of the country living below the United Nation's poverty threshold. (Its 'Gini coefficient' of 65.0 ~ representing income inequality within a nation or a social group ~ is the highest in the entire world.) There are allegations that most of the country's wealth is siphoned off into the pockets of the ruling elite and Mbasogo is facing worldwide investigations for corruption.

Equatoguinean Profile

Volunteer Work

Check out all the latest fee paying and free volunteer work placements in Equatorial Guinea.
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Sponsor a Child

Details of how to sponsor a child in Equatorial Guinea with Equatoguinean child sponsor programs.
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Country Map

Use this Google Earth satellite map of Equatorial Guinea to explore and take a virtual tour of the country.
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Equatoguinean News

Read all the latest news and current events from Equatorial Guinea at our Equatoguinean news page.
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<h4>Equatorial Guinea Video Profile</h4>

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The majority of the child population of the country, whose constitution enshrines the protection of children's physical and psychological health and normal development (however child labour is both legal and widespread), live without electricity, basic education or heath care facilities and live within families making a living of subsistence farming whilst the offshore oil industry engages mainly foreign workers. A significant portion of the population still lacks reliable access to clean water, electricity, and quality healthcare. This paradox of immense national wealth alongside widespread poverty is the defining social and economic issue of modern Equatorial Guinea. The government faces the ongoing challenge of diversifying its economy away from a near-total reliance on hydrocarbons, investing in agriculture, tourism, and education to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for its people.

The population of 1.92 million (2025) is composed of several ethnic groups, primarily the Fang on the mainland and the Bubi on Bioko Island. While Spanish and French are the official languages, a multitude of indigenous languages like Fang and Bubi are widely spoken, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry. In urban centres like Malabo and Bata (the largest city on the mainland), daily life is a blend of modern aspirations and traditional values. The influx of oil money has created a growing middle class with access to international goods, restaurants, and nightlife. Yet, beneath this modernity, strong family and clan ties remain the bedrock of society. In rural villages, daily life is more directly tied to the land and sea. Subsistence farming, fishing, and small-scale trade are common, and community gatherings and traditional festivals play a central role in the social calendar. Despite the country's wealth, infrastructural gaps can make daily life a challenge. Intermittent electricity and water cuts are not uncommon, and travel between the mainland and the islands can be expensive and logistically difficult for ordinary citizens.

For the traveller, Equatorial Guinea offers a selection of incredible, albeit less developed, tourist attractions. Its greatest asset is its pristine natural beauty, largely untouched by mass tourism.

Bioko Island: The volcanic Bioko Island is a biodiversity hotspot. The southern part of the island is home to incredible tourist attractions for nature lovers, including the Gran Caldera de Luba Scientific Reserve. Here, one can trek through dense cloud forests to witness nesting sea turtles on remote beaches or spot rare primates like the drill and the red-eared guenon. The island's capital, Malabo, features a charming Spanish colonial quarter with a cathedral and presidential palace.

Río Muni Mainland: The mainland is dominated by dense tropical rainforests, part of the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest in the world. The Monte Alén National Park is a premier destination for hiking and wildlife spotting, offering a chance to see forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and a stunning array of birdlife.

Annobón Island: The remote and mystical island of Annobón, located far to the south, is an isolated volcanic gem. Its dramatic landscape, crater lakes, and unique culture, influenced by its extended isolation, make it a fascinating, though extremely difficult-to-reach, destination.

The challenges for tourism are significant, including complex visa processes, limited and expensive tourist infrastructure, and underdeveloped tour operator networks. However, for those who succeed in visiting, the reward is an authentic and uncrowded experience in one of Africa's least-known corners.

Malabo Profile

Facts, video and information about Malabo, the capital city of Equatorial Guinea, on the island of Bioko. More >