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Gabon vs. Equatorial Guinea

Introduction

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Background

Following, independence from France in 1960, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-ruling heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential election in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.

President Ali BONGO Ondimba's controversial August 2016 reelection sparked unprecedented opposition protests that resulted in the burning of the parliament building. The election was contested by the opposition after fraudulent results were flagged by international election observers. Gabon's Constitutional Court reviewed the election results but ruled in favor of President BONGO, upholding his win and extending his mandate to 2023.

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979. He has been elected several times since 1996, and was most recently reelected in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have generally been labeled as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. 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 late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oil fields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, the drop in global oil prices as of 2014 has placed significant strain on the state budget and pushed the country into recession. Oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region.

 

Geography

GabonEquatorial Guinea
LocationCentral Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial GuineaCentral Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates1 00 S, 11 45 E2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map referencesAfricaAfrica
Areatotal: 267,667 sq km

land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km
total: 28,051 sq km

land: 28,051 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Coloradoslightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundariestotal: 3,261 km

border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km, Republic of the Congo 2567 km, Equatorial Guinea 345 km
total: 528 km

border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km, Gabon 345 km
Coastline885 km296 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatetropical; always hot, humidtropical; always hot, humid
Terrainnarrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and southcoastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation extremeshighest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 377 m
highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 577 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropowerpetroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Land useagricultural land: 19% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 17.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 81% (2018 est.)

other: 0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 10.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 57.5% (2018 est.)

other: 32.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land40 sq km (2012)NA
Natural hazardsnone

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, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

Environment - current issuesdeforestation (the forests that cover three-quarters of the country are threatened by excessive logging); burgeoning population exacerbating disposal of solid waste; oil industry contributing to water pollution; wildlife poachingdeforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - notea small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversityinsular 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
Total renewable water resources166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionthe relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution maponly two large cities over 30,000 people (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

Demographics

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Population2,284,912 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
857,008 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 36.45% (male 413,883/female 399,374)

15-24 years: 21.9% (male 254,749/female 233,770)

25-54 years: 32.48% (male 386,903/female 337,776)

55-64 years: 5.19% (male 58,861/female 56,843)

65 years and over: 3.98% (male 44,368/female 44,381) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 38.73% (male 164,417/female 159,400)

15-24 years: 19.94% (male 84,820/female 81,880)

25-54 years: 32.72% (male 137,632/female 135,973)

55-64 years: 4.69% (male 17,252/female 22,006)

65 years and over: 3.92% (male 13,464/female 19,334) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 21 years

male: 21.4 years

female: 20.6 years (2020 est.)
total: 20.3 years

male: 19.9 years

female: 20.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate2.41% (2021 est.)2.29% (2021 est.)
Birth rate26.14 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)30.09 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)7.16 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate3.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.15 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 29.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.58 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 63.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 66.12 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 60.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 69.37 years

male: 67.66 years

female: 71.14 years (2021 est.)
total population: 66.35 years

male: 64.96 years

female: 67.78 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate3.36 children born/woman (2021 est.)4.02 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate3% (2020 est.)7.3% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective: Gabonese
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groupsGabonese-born 80.1% (includes Fang 23.2%, Shira-Punu/Vili 18.9%, Nzabi-Duma 11.3%, Mbede-Teke 6.9%, Myene 5%, Kota-Kele 4.9%, Okande-Tsogo 2.1%, Pygmy .3%, other 7.5%), Cameroonian 4.6%, Malian 2.4%, Beninese 2.1%, acquired Gabonese nationality 1.6%, Togolese 1.6%, Senegalese 1.1%, Congolese (Brazzaville) 1%, other 5.5% (includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian) (2012)Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS46,000 (2020 est.)68,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsRoman Catholic 42.3%, Protestant 12.3%, other Christian 27.4%, Muslim 9.8%, animist 0.6%, other 0.5%, none/no answer 7.1% (2012 est.)nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, Muslim, Baha'i, animist, indigenous
HIV/AIDS - deaths1,100 <1000 (2020 est.)2,300 (2020 est.)
LanguagesFrench (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, BandjabiSpanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 census)

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.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.7%

male: 85.9%

female: 83.4% (2018)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.3%

male: 97.4%

female: 93% (2015)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

animal contact diseases: rabies
Education expenditures2.7% of GDP (2014)NA
Urbanizationurban population: 90.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 73.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 97% of population

rural: 68% of population

total: 93.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population

rural: 32% of population

total: 6.2% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 81.7% of population

rural: 32.1% of population

total: 67.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 18.3% of population

rural: 67.9% of population

total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 77.7% of population

rural: 51.9% of population

total: 74.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 22.3% of population

rural: 48.1% of population

total: 25.2% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 81.2% of population

rural: 63.4% of population

total: 76.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 18.8% of population

rural: 36.6% of population

total: 23.8% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population845,000 LIBREVILLE (capital) (2021)297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)
Maternal mortality rate252 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)301 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight6.4% (2012)5.6% (2011)
Health expenditures2.8% (2018)3% (2018)
Physicians density0.68 physicians/1,000 population (2017)0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density6.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate15% (2016)8% (2016)
Demographic profile

Gabon's oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon's supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.

Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country's political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo's civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon.

Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea's main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line.

Equatorial Guinea's large and growing youth population - about 60% are under the age of 25 - is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence.

Contraceptive prevalence rate31.1% (2012)12.6% (2011)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 68.9

youth dependency ratio: 62.9

elderly dependency ratio: 6

potential support ratio: 16.8 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 64.4

youth dependency ratio: 60.5

elderly dependency ratio: 3.9

potential support ratio: 25.5 (2020 est.)

Government

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Country nameconventional long form: Gabonese Republic

conventional short form: Gabon

local long form: Republique Gabonaise

local short form: Gabon

etymology: name originates from the Portuguese word "gabao" meaning "cloak," which is roughly the shape that the early explorers gave to the estuary of the Komo River by the capital of Libreville
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

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 typepresidential republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Libreville

geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E

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

etymology: original site settled by freed slaves and the name means "free town" in French; named in imitation of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone
name: Malabo; note - a new capital of Cuidad de la Paz (formerly referred to as Oyala) is being built on the mainland near Djibloho; Malabo is on the island of Bioko

geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E

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

etymology: named after Malabo Lopelo Melaka (1837-1937), the last king of the Bubi, the ethnic group indigenous to the island of Bioko; the name of the new capital, Cuidad de la Paz, translates to "City of Peace" in Spanish
Administrative divisions9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence17 August 1960 (from France)12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holidayIndependence Day, 17 August (1960)Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitutionhistory: previous 1961; latest drafted May 1990, adopted 15 March 1991, promulgated 26 March 1991

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the Council of Ministers, or by one third of either house of Parliament; passage requires Constitutional Court evaluation, at least two-thirds majority vote of two thirds of the Parliament membership convened in joint session, and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on Gabon's democratic form of government cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2020
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 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 systemmixed legal system of French civil law and customary lawmixed system of civil and customary law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Rose Christiane Ossouka RAPONDA (since 16 July 2020)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president 

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 27 August 2016 (next to be held in August 2023); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ali BONGO Ondimba reelected president; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba (PDG) 49.8%, Jean PING (UFC) 48.2%, other 2.0%
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Vice President Teodoro Nguema OBIANG Mangue(since 2012)

head of government: Prime Minister Francisco Pascual Eyegue OBAMA Asue (since 23 June 2016); 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 24 April 2016 (next to be held in 2023); 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 (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5%
Legislative branchdescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate or Senat (102 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal councils and departmental assemblies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms)
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (143 seats; members elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 13 December 2014 (next to be held on 31 December 2020)
National Assembly - held in 2 rounds on 6 and 27 October 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 81, CLR 7, PSD 2, ADERE-UPG 1, UPG 1, PGCI 1, independent 7; composition - men 84, women 18, percent of women 17.6%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 98, The Democrats or LD 11, RV 8, Social Democrats of Gabon 5, RH&M 4, other 9, independent 8; composition - men 123, women 20, percent of women 14%; note - total Parliament percent of women 15.5%
description: bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (70 seats; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote and 15 appointed by the president)
Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed paryt-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE and aligned coalition 70; composition - men 60, women 10, percent of women 14.3%

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 99, CI 1; composition - men 78, women 22, percent of women 22%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 18.8%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 4 permanent specialized supreme courts - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation, Administrative Supreme Court or Conseil d'Etat, Accounting Supreme Court or Cour des Comptes, Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, and the non-permanent Court of State Security, initiated only for cases of high treason by the president and criminal activity by executive branch officials)

judge selection and term of office: appointment and tenure of Supreme, Administrative, Accounting, and State Security courts NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 3 by the national president, 3 by the president of the Senate, and 3 by the president of the National Assembly; judges serve single renewable 7-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; county courts; military courts
highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice - who is also chief of state - and 9 judges  organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for 5-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
Political parties and leadersCircle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [Gen. Jean-Boniface ASSELE]
Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [DIDJOB Divungui di Ndinge]
Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG [Ali BONGO Ondimba]
Independent Center Party of Gabon or PGCI [Luccheri GAHILA]
Legacy and Modernity Party or RH&M
Rally for Gabon or RPG
Restoration of Republican Values or RV
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]
Social Democrats of Gabon
The Democrats or LD
Union for the New Republic or UPRN [Louis Gaston MAYILA]
Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Richard MOULOMBA]
Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Jean PING]
Citizens for Innovation or CI [Gabriel Nse Obiang OBONO]
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Andres ESONO ONDO]
Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro Obiang NGUEMA MBASOGO]
Electoral Coalition or EC
Juntos Podemos (coalition includes CPDS, FDR, UDC)
National Congress of Equatorial Guinea [Agustin MASOKO ABEGUE]
National Democratic Party [Benedicto OBIANG MANGUE]
National Union for Democracy [Thomas MBA MONABANG]
Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Carmelo MBA BACALE]
Popular Union or UP [Daniel MARTINEZ AYECABA]
Union for the Center right or UDC [Avelino MOCACHE MEHENGA]
not officially registered parties:
Democratic Republican Force or FDR [Guillermo NGUEMA ELA]
Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]
International organization participationACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOACP, 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, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Charge D'Affaires Rod Ciangillan REMBENDAMBYA, Counselor (17 March 2021)

chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

FAX: [1] (301) 332-0668

email address and website:
info@gaboneembassyusa.org

https://gabonembassyusa.org/en/
chief of mission: Ambassador Miguel Ntutumu EVUNA ANDEME (since 23 February 2015)

chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700

FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252

email address and website:
info@egembassydc.com

https://www.egembassydc.com/

consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON; note - also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe

embassy: Sabliere, B.P. 4000, Libreville

mailing address: 2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270

telephone: [241] 011-45-71-00

FAX: [241] 011-45-71-05

email address and website:
ACSLibreville@state.gov

https://ga.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Susan N. STEVENSON (since 11 April 2019)

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 address and website:
Malaboconsular@state.gov

https://gq.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue; green represents the country's forests and natural resources, gold represents the equator (which transects Gabon) as well as the sun, blue represents the seathree 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 anthemname: "La Concorde" (The Concorde)

lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS

note: adopted 1960
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
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdictionaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)black panther; national colors: green, yellow, bluesilk cotton tree; national colors: green, white, red, blue
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
citizenship by 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

Economy

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Economy - overview

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most Sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon's exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues.

Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017.

Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption.

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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$32.48 billion (2019 est.)

$31.247 billion (2018 est.)

$30.986 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$25.164 billion (2019 est.)

$26.65 billion (2018 est.)

$28.459 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate0.5% (2017 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

3.9% (2015 est.)
-3.2% (2017 est.)

-8.6% (2016 est.)

-9.1% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$14,950 (2019 est.)

$14,744 (2018 est.)

$15,007 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$18,558 (2019 est.)

$20,360 (2018 est.)

$22,551 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 5% (2017 est.)

industry: 44.7% (2017 est.)

services: 50.4% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 2.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 54.6% (2017 est.)

services: 42.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line33.4% (2017 est.)44% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)
lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)2.4% (2019 est.)

4.7% (2018 est.)

2.6% (2017 est.)
1.2% (2019 est.)

1.3% (2018 est.)

0.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force557,800 (2017 est.)195,200 (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate28% (2015 est.)

20.4% (2014 est.)
8.6% (2014 est.)

22.3% (2009 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 2.634 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.914 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 2.114 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.523 billion (2017 est.)
Industriespetroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cementpetroleum, natural gas, sawmilling
Industrial production growth rate1.8% (2017 est.)-6.9% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsplantains, cassava, sugar cane, yams, taro, vegetables, maize, groundnuts, game meat, rubbersweet potatoes, cassava, roots/tubers nes, plantains, oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa, eggs
Exports$10.8 billion (2019 est.)

$9.533 billion (2018 est.)

$9.145 billion (2017 est.)
$8.776 billion (2019 est.)

$8.914 billion (2018 est.)

$9.94 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiescrude petroleum, manganese, lumber, veneer sheeting, refined petroleum (2019)crude petroleum, natural gas, industrial alcohols, lumber, veneer sheeting (2019)
Exports - partnersChina 63%, Singapore 5% (2019)China 34%, India 19%, Spain 11%, United States 7% (2019)
Imports$5.02 billion (2019 est.)

$4.722 billion (2018 est.)

$4.749 billion (2017 est.)
$6.245 billion (2019 est.)

$6.129 billion (2018 est.)

$5.708 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiespoultry meats, excavation machinery, packaged medicines, cars, rice (2019)gas turbines, beer, ships, industrial machinery, excavation machinery (2019)
Imports - partnersFrance 22%, China 17%, Belgium 6%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)United States 22%, Spain 19%, China 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)
Debt - external$6.49 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.211 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.074 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange ratesCooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

605.3 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

605.3 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt62.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

64.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
37.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

43.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$981.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$804.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$45.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$62.31 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$725 million (2017 est.)

-$1.389 billion (2016 est.)
-$738 million (2017 est.)

-$1.457 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$16.064 billion (2019 est.)$10.634 billion (2019 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 45 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 87 (2020)

Trading score: 43.9 (2020)

Enforcement score: 32.8 (2020)
Overall score: 41.1 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 61 (2020)

Trading score: 32 (2020)

Enforcement score: 56.2 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 37.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -26.8% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 50% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 21.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 10.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -39% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving25.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

24.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

29.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
6.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

3.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

8.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Energy

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Electricity - production2.244 billion kWh (2016 est.)500 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption2.071 billion kWh (2016 est.)465 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports344 million kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production196,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)172,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports214,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)308,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Oil - proved reserves2 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production401 million cu m (2017 est.)6.069 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption401 million cu m (2017 est.)1.189 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)4.878 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity671,000 kW (2016 est.)331,000 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels51% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)61% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants49% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)38% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production16,580 bbl/day (2017 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption24,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)5,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports4,662 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports10,680 bbl/day (2015 est.)5,094 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 92% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019)
electrification - total population: 67% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 75% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 45% (2019)

Telecommunications

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 22,291

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.02 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 6,779

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 2,992,811

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137.57 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 368,920

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45.17 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.ga.gq
Internet userstotal: 1,313,802

percent of population: 62% (July 2018 est.)
total: 209,253

percent of population: 26.24% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

politically stable and oil laden, Gabon is one of wealthiest nations in Africa; liberalized and competitive market led development of mobile broadband, data service, and tests of 5G; fixed-line sector underdeveloped due to the lack of competition and high prices; South Korean investment in fiber segments as part of Central African backbone; sufficient international bandwidth through submarine cable systems; government committed to backbone infrastructure and e-health services; efforts towards new legal and regulatory improvements (2020)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line is 1 per 100 subscriptions; a growing mobile cellular network with multiple providers is making telephone service more widely available with mobile cellular teledensity at 138 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 241; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE and Libreville-Port Gentil Cable fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

Equatorial Guinea's climate for operator competition boosted mobile subscribership; broadband services are limited and expensive; submarine cable supported broadband and reliability of infrastructure; government backbone network will connect administrative centers; regional roaming agreement in process (2021)

(2018)

domestic: fixed-line density is about 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is 45 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 22,332

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.03 (2019 est.)
total: 1,620

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)
Broadcast mediastate owns and operates 2 TV stations and 2 radio broadcast stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are availablethe state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 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)

Transportation

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Roadwaystotal: 14,300 km (2001)

paved: 900 km (2001)

unpaved: 13,400 km (2001)
total: 2,880 km (2017)
Pipelines807 km gas, 1639 km oil, 3 km water (2013)42 km condensate, 5 km condensate/gas, 79 km gas, 71 km oil (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Libreville, Owendo, Port-Gentil

oil terminal(s): Gamba, Lucina
major seaport(s): Bata, Luba, Malabo

LNG terminal(s) (export): Bioko Island
Merchant marinetotal: 40

by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 6, other 18 (2020)
total: 40

by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 6, other 25 (2020)
Airportstotal: 44 (2013)total: 7 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 14 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1
total: 6 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 30 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)

under 914 m: 14 (2013)
total: 1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8
number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 466,435 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 350,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixTR3C

Military

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Military branchesGabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Forces, National Gendarmerie; Republican Guard (land forces under direct presidential control) (2021)Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army), Navy, Air Force; Guardia Civil (paramilitary force for internal security) (2021)
Military service age and obligation20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2021)18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 2-year service obligation; women hold only administrative positions in the Navy (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP1.6% of GDP (2019)

1.5% of GDP (2018)

1.8% of GDP (2017)

1.5% of GDP (2016)

1.3% of GDP (2015)
1.1% of GDP (2018)

1.1% of GDP (2017)

1.2% of GDP (2016)

1% of GDP (2015)
Maritime threatsthe International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea."the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea."
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Gabonese Defense Forces (FDG) are comprised of approximately 6,500 active duty troops including the Republican Guard and Gendarmerie (2021)the Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE) have approximately 1,400 active duty troops; approximately 400 Guardia Civil (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe FDG is lightly armed with an inventory comprised mostly of Brazilian, French, and South African equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of equipment with France and South Africa as the leading suppliers (2020)the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years,it has sought to modernize its naval inventory; Ukraine is the leading provider of equipment since 2010, followed by Israel (2020)

Transnational Issues

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Disputes - international

UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay

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 personscurrent situation: Gabon is primarily a destination and transit country for adults and children from West and Central African countries subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; boys are forced to work as street vendors, mechanics, or in the fishing sector, while girls are subjected to domestic servitude or forced to work in markets or roadside restaurants; West African women are forced into domestic servitude or prostitution; men are reportedly forced to work on cattle farms; some foreign adults end up in forced labor in Gabon after initially seeking the help of human smugglers to help them migrate clandestinely; traffickers operate in loose, ethnic-based criminal networks, with female traffickers recruiting and facilitating the transport of victims from source countries; in some cases, families turn child victims over to traffickers, who promise paid jobs in Gabon

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Gabon's existing laws do not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and the government failed to pass a legal amendment drafted in 2013 to criminalize the trafficking of adults; anti-trafficking law enforcement decreased in 2014, dropping from 50 investigations to 16, and the only defendant to face prosecution fled the country; government efforts to identify and refer victims to protective services declined from 50 child victims in 2013 to just 3 in 2014, none of whom was referred to a care facility; the government provided support to four centers offering services to orphans and vulnerable children - 14 child victims identified by an NGO received government assistance; no adult victims have been identified since 2009 (2015)
current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Equatorial Guinea and Equatoguineans abroad; the majority of trafficking victims are subjected to forced domestic service and commercial sex in cities, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant sector; local and foreign women, including Latin Americans, are exploited in commercial sex domestically, while some Equatoguinean women are sex trafficked in Spain; some children from rural areas have been forced into domestic servitude; children from nearby countries are forced to labor as domestic workers, market workers, vendors, and launderers; individuals recruited from African countries and temporary workers from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela are sometimes exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking

tier rating:

Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020)

Environment

GabonEquatorial Guinea
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 38.51 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.32 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 1.13 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 45.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.65 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 11.21 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 84.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 40.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 15.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 2.6% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 1.52% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 238,102 tons (1995 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook