Sub Saharan Africa

Equatorial Guinea
Last reviewed: 17 March 2008

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Equatorial Guinea has relatively positive relations with its neighbours, despite occasional clashes over maritime boundaries with Cameroon, Gabon and Nigeria. Tensions with Gabon over their Maritime border have continued despite UN-mediated negotiations in 2004. Despite revived Spanish interest, Equatorial Guinea has gradually shifted towards its Francophone neighbours, and is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). It joined the Franc Zone in 1985. The USA and China are major markets for its oil. China agreed a US$2bn credit line in late 2006 to help fund infrastructure projects. Nigeria signed an agreement in late 2006 to supply natural gas to the LNG plant in exchange for oil exploration rights. France remains the second-largest contributor of development aid after Spain. With American-based international oil companies leading the development of its oil fields, the USA has become the country's largest foreign investor. In 2003, the Department of State re-established a limited diplomatic presence in Malabo after an 8-year absence.

Relations with the UK

Diplomatic Representation

The UK is officially represented in Equatorial Guinea by its diplomatic mission in Abuja, Nigeria, from where the Ambassador regularly visits. Equatorial Guinea opened its Embassy in London in 2005 and is represented by HE Mr Agustin Nze Nfumu.