Volunteer Work Equatorial Guinea

Free and paid volunteer work opportunities in Equatorial Guinea with details and listings of volunteer work programs and projects in Equatorial Guinea. The reality is, there is very little volunteer work in Equatorial Guinea, despite pressing needs. While it's sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter making for a thriving economy, this ecconomy is a very unbalanced one albeit a very unbalanced one as the offshore oil industry engages mainly foreign workers leaving the local population to mainly live off subsistence farming without access to electricity, basic education or heath care facilities with access to clean water remaining a challenge. You would think this would be an ideal environment for volunteer work, however with a small population of 1.92 million (2025) coupled with an autocratic political regime, the volunteer work sector hasn't really established a foothold in Equatorial Guinea.

When volunteering opportunities do arise, due to Equatorial Guinea's relative obscurity in the sector, your presence and skills can have a significant and immediate impact as what organisations there are, are often under-resourced and deeply value the contribution of dedicated international volunteers. In terms of general advice, consult a travel doctor well ahead of your departure as a Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory, and malaria prophylaxis is essential. It would also be useful to learn basic Spanish as while French and Portuguese are also official languages, Spanish is the lingua franca so learning even basic phrases will dramatically improve your daily interactions, deepen your cultural immersion, and enhance your effectiveness as a volunteer. Volunteers are also advised to dress modestly, especially outside the capital, Malabo, and always ask for permission before taking photographs of people. Be respectful of local customs and traditions, and approach every interaction with humility and a desire to learn. Above all else, be prepared for intermittent electricity, limited internet access, and a different pace of life! Below we provide listings for our current volunteer work projects and programs in Equatorial Guinea. If you run or know of others, please let us know by contacting us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Work

Humanium

An international child NGO dedicated to stopping violations of children's rights throughout the world.
Visit >

CRS

Improving the quality of life for people living in extreme poverty in Equatorial Guinea.
Visit >

Sponsor a Child

Another way to help is to sponsor a child in Equatorial Guinea with these child sponsor programs.
More >

Equatorial Guinea

Explore all about the small African nation of Equatorial Guinea in a series of pictures, videos and images.
More >

Types of Volunteer Work in Equatorial Guinea

The development needs in Equatorial Guinea are varied, creating a spectrum of volunteer roles. The types of work available generally fall into several key sectors:

Education and Teaching: This is one of the most common and needed areas for volunteers. Opportunities range from English Language Instruction; with the country joining the Commonwealth in 2022, the demand for English skills has surged. Volunteers can teach in schools, community centres, or to professional adults. General Subject Tutoring: Supporting local teachers in subjects like mathematics, science, and IT in understaffed schools. Educational Development: Assisting with curriculum development, teacher training workshops, and creating educational resources.

Healthcare and Public Health: For those with medical training or an interest in public health, there are critical roles to fill. Qualified doctors, nurses, and midwives can support understaffed clinics and hospitals, sharing expertise and assisting with patient care. Volunteers can work on community outreach programs focusing on disease prevention (such as malaria and HIV/AIDS), maternal health, nutrition, and sanitation hygiene (WASH) education.

Community Development: This broad category involves types of work focused on empowering local communities and improving infrastructure. Projects often involve building schools, community latrines, or repairing essential infrastructure.

Women’s Empowerment: Leading workshops on entrepreneurship, leadership, and health, or supporting local cooperatives.

Agricultural Development: Working with communities on sustainable farming techniques, food security projects, and permaculture.

Conservation and Environmental Protection: Given the country's rich biodiversity, conservation efforts are vital.This volunteer work can include assisting research organisations with data collection on primates, sea turtles, and other native species, particularly on Bioko Island or participating in tree-planting initiatives and teaching communities, especially youth, about environmental stewardship.

If you are considering undertaking a period of volunteer work in Equatorial Guinea check out our profile pages to explore the country before you visit and learn how to make the most of your time there. We strongly recommend you do not attempt to arrange a volunteer placement independently, instead work with established international volunteer-sending organisations or NGOs with a proven track record in Equatorial Guinea as they will handle crucial logistics like visas, in-country orientation, security protocols, and accommodation. Please note, you cannot volunteer on a tourist visa and the process for obtaining a volunteer visa can be complex and lengthy. Your chosen organisation should guide you through this process and provide the necessary invitation letters. Start this process many months in advance.