Sub Saharan Africa

Equatorial Guinea

Still current at: 08 January 2009

Updated: 28 October 2008

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Compared to other countries in the region, the level of violent crime in Equatorial Guinea is not high.  There are regular reports of petty theft affecting both visitors and expatriates.  We recommend that you take sensible personal security precautions.  You should avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public and avoid isolated or poorer areas of town.  You should not walk around Malabo and Bata at night and should also avoid travelling by road after dark.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Equatorial Guinea Country Profile
 

Political events can lead to increased presence of police, military or security forces on the streets.  This can happen with little or no notice.  You should carry copies of appropriate documentation (passport or residence permit) with you at all times.  Failure to produce documents on request can lead to detention.

You should avoid any political rallies, demonstrations or large public gatherings.

Local Travel

Unless you are a UK citizen who is resident in Equatorial Guinea and in possession of an EG resident permit,  you will need to inform Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Francophonie in advance  if you wish to travel outside Malabo on the island of Bioko, and outside Bata on the mainland.

Land borders often close with little or no notice. You should check the situation with the local authorities before travelling to border areas.

 

Road Travel

Most roads in Malabo are paved.  In rural areas the condition of the roads is likely to be poor.  During the rainy season, many roads are accessible only with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Police and military roadblocks are common.  You may be asked to show your passport, driving licence or vehicle registration documents and explain your reason for being in the area.  Failure to comply with requests can lead to detention.

There are regular reports of extortion by police and uniformed security forces at roadblocks.  You are advised not to pay bribes but to ask for a ticket, detailing alleged offences or violations, which can be paid at a local court.

Public transport facilities, particularly on mainland Equatorial Guinea, are extremely limited.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel
 

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

All but one of Equatorial Guinea's airlines have been grounded since 29 May 2006, when the Ministry of Transport cancelled their operating licences after a general aircraft inspection revealed that International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards were not met.

An overloaded Air Equateur plane from Malabo to Bata crashed in July 2005, killing all 60 passengers on board.  All national and regional passenger flights on Soviet built Antonov and Yak planes have since been suspended.

Equato-Guinean-registered aircraft are banned from British airspace on safety grounds, and British Government employees do not use flights run by Equato-Guinean airline companies unless this is unavoidable.  You should bear this in mind when making your travel plans.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence that would be served in local prisons.

 

Photography of the presidential palace, ports, airports and military installations is strictly prohibited and can lead to imprisonment.  Special permits from the Ministry of Information and Tourism are required for all other photography.

 

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in Central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

 

You should carry copies of appropriate documentation (passport or residence permit) with you at all times.  Failure to produce documents on request can lead to detention.

 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

British nationals require a visa to visit Equatorial Guinea.  To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements.

You are strongly advised to check that your passport is properly endorsed/stamped at the airport, on arrival and departure, before leaving the immigration desk.  There have been reports of travellers being delayed or threatened with detention because their passports have not been properly endorsed/stamped.

When acquiring a new travel document, please request the issuing authority to return your previous cancelled travel document to you. The old document will be required by the Equatorial Guinea authorities prior to issuing a replacement visa. If you have a new travel document you should ensure that you obtain a new or replacement visa for Equatorial Guinea into your new passport before travelling.  The Equatorial Guinean authorities will not admit travellers on visas entered into old passports, even if the visa is still valid.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

Please note that immigration / health authorities in Equatorial Guinea now require an international vaccination certificate in order to enter/leave Equatorial Guinea. All flights are systematically checked.

A tax of 5,000 cfa will be levied for those who do not produce the yellow booklet. As all airlines have been informed, entry refusal may occur if this rule is not complied with.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Medical facilities are poor.  Pharmacies in Malabo and Bata stock basic medication. Emergency facilities are extremely limited.  For serious medical treatment, evacuation to Europe would be necessary.

 

Malaria, cholera and water-borne diseases are common in Equatorial Guinea.

 

Food purchased from local street vendors may not meet adequate hygiene standards.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Equatorial Guinea you should seek immediate medical attention.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 9,800 adults aged 15 or over in Equatorial Guinea were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Equatorial Guinea and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Consular registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

British representation

There is no British Embassy in Equatorial Guinea.  In an emergency, you can obtain consular assistance either through the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos (tel:  +234 1 2619531, 2619537, 2619541) or through the Honorary British Consul in Malabo (tel: + 240 277502).

Stays of more than one month

If you intend to stay in Equatorial Guinea for more than one month you are encouraged to register with the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

Commercial disputes

There have been occasions when expatriate staff of foreign companies have been confined to the country for prolonged periods when commercial disputes have arisen.  In such circumstances support from the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos is confined to a consular support role.

Money

It is not possible to use credit cards in Equatorial Guinea except at the major airline offices (Air France, Iberia and Swiss). The local currency is the Central African Franc (CFA), issued by the Banque des Etats de L’Afrique Centrale (BEAC). Please note that this is not the same Central African Franc as issued by the Banque des Etats de L’Afrique Ouest (BEAOC) which is not legal tender in Equatorial Guinea. There are no ATM’s in Equatorial Guinea. Euros, Pound Sterling and US Dollars are the preferred currencies for exchange at local banks.