Foreign relations of Equatorial Guinea

The government's official policy is one of nonalignment. In its search for assistance to meet the goal of national reconstruction, the government of Equatorial Guinea has established diplomatic relations with numerous European and Third World countries. Having achieved independence under UN sponsorship, Equatorial Guinea feels a special kinship with that organization. It became the 126th UN member on November 12, 1968. Equatorial Guinea served as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council from 2017 to 2019.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Equatorial Guinea maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date[1]
1	Spain	12 October 1968[2]
2	Egypt	12 October 1968[3]
3	Cameroon	27 October 1968[4]
4	Switzerland	4 November 1968[5]
5	Japan	12 November 1968[6]
6	United States	21 November 1968[7]
7	Philippines	28 November 1968[8]
8	Russia	7 December 1968[9]
9	Gabon	1968[10]
10	India	1968[11]
11	Israel	1968[12]
12	United Kingdom	1968[13][failed verification]
13	Nigeria	25 January 1969[14]
14	North Korea	30 January 1969[15]
15	France	10 July 1969[16]
16	Netherlands	1969[17]
17	Sweden	1969[18]
18	Hungary	18 February 1970[19]
19	Serbia	18 May 1970[20]
20	Czech Republic	22 July 1970[21]
21	China	15 October 1970[22]
22	Ethiopia	1970[23]
23	Ghana	4 June 1971[24]
24	Republic of the Congo	12 July 1971[25]
25	Bulgaria	15 September 1971[26]
26	Chile	8 November 1971[27]
27	Romania	9 March 1972[28]
28	Vietnam	1 September 1972[29]
29	Albania	30 November 1972[30][31]
30	Cuba	27 December 1972[32]
31	Tunisia	1972[33]
32	Argentina	26 April 1974[34]
33	Central African Republic	24 January 1975[35]
34	Brazil	26 May 1975[36]
35	Mexico	26 September 1975[37]
36	Cape Verde	1975[38]
37	Austria	1 March 1976[39]
38	Portugal	9 March 1977[40]
39	Guinea	1977[41]
40	Algeria	9 November 1978[42]
41	Poland	29 May 1979[43]
42	South Korea	14 September 1979[44]
43	Morocco	17 April 1980[45]
44	Canada	20 August 1980[46]
45	Ecuador	8 September 1980[47]
46	Turkey	16 September 1980[48][49]
47	Liberia	1980[50]
48	Benin	10 April 1981[51]
49	Peru	28 April 1981[52]
50	Costa Rica	April 1981[53]
51	Colombia	6 May 1981[54]
52	Venezuela	7 May 1981[55]
53	Panama	13 May 1981[56]
54	Uruguay	15 September 1981[57]
—	Holy See	24 December 1981[58]
55	São Tomé and Príncipe	1981[59]
56	Angola	1982[60]
57	Sierra Leone	March 1983[61]
58	Nicaragua	20 September 1984
59	Italy	8 March 1985[62]
60	Bolivia	21 October 1987
61	Kuwait	1988[63]
62	Pakistan	9 October 1990[64]
63	Thailand	15 February 1991[65]
64	Ukraine	18 May 1992[66]
65	Armenia	19 May 1992[67]
66	Belarus	25 May 1992[68]
67	Turkmenistan	8 December 1992[69]
68	Seychelles	14 April 1993
69	South Africa	5 May 1993[70]
70	Mali	4 November 1993[71]
71	Burkina Faso	1993[72]
—	Sovereign Military Order of Malta	16 July 1996[73]
72	Slovakia	7 December 1997[74]
73	Iran	20 July 1998[75]
74	Dominican Republic	24 November 1999[76]
75	Libya	11 February 2001[77]
76	Malaysia	November 2001[78]
77	North Macedonia	9 July 2002
78	Luxembourg	9 October 2003[79]
79	Mauritius	26 May 2004
80	Zimbabwe	2 June 2004[80]
81	Iceland	10 September 2004
82	Azerbaijan	11 November 2004
83	Paraguay	3 November 2005
84	Guatemala	8 December 2006
85	Botswana	13 December 2006[81]
86	Norway	30 March 2007[82]
87	Croatia	18 October 2007
88	Estonia	18 December 2007
89	Cyprus	29 February 2008
90	Finland	30 April 2008
91	Haiti	24 June 2008[83]
—	State of Palestine	11 July 2008[84]
92	Latvia	13 November 2008
93	Lebanon	21 November 2008
94	Monaco	16 June 2009[85]
95	Australia	23 July 2009
96	Bosnia and Herzegovina	24 February 2010
97	Slovenia	26 May 2010
98	Georgia	23 June 2010
99	Cambodia	30 June 2010
100	Rwanda	29 July 2010[86]
101	Ivory Coast	12 August 2010[87]
102	Germany	6 September 2010[88]
103	Mozambique	13 July 2011[89]
104	Namibia	3 August 2011[90]
105	Fiji	6 October 2011
106	Saudi Arabia	12 October 2011[91]
107	Suriname	12 January 2012
108	Burundi	23 May 2012[92]
109	Comoros	29 August 2012[93]
110	Mauritania	6 October 2012[94]
111	Mongolia	20 February 2014
112	Denmark	7 November 2014[95]
113	Timor-Leste	2014[96]
114	Eswatini	19 February 2015[97]
115	Jamaica	18 May 2015
116	South Sudan	8 October 2015[98]
117	Indonesia	22 September 2016[99]
118	Togo	7 October 2016[100]
119	Sudan	19 December 2016[101]
120	Kazakhstan	24 May 2017
121	Uganda	19 February 2018[102]
122	Singapore	11 April 2018
123	Zambia	19 April 2018[103]
124	Maldives	21 May 2018
125	Tajikistan	21 May 2018
126	Djibouti	9 October 2018[104]
127	Guinea-Bissau	22 November 2018[105]
128	Liechtenstein	2018[106]
129	Nepal	30 April 2019
130	United Arab Emirates	13 July 2019[107]
131	Honduras	31 July 2020[108]
132	Qatar	7 April 2021
133	Bangladesh	7 April 2022[109]
134	Gambia	29 May 2022[110]
135	El Salvador	18 September 2023[111]
136	Saint Kitts and Nevis	22 September 2023[112]
137	Oman	1 April 2024
138	Bahrain	24 September 2024
139	Jordan	17 January 2025
140	Tanzania	28 March 2025[113][114]
141	Belgium	Unknown
142	Chad	Unknown
143	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Unknown
144	Greece	Unknown
145	Iraq	Unknown
146	Kenya	Unknown
147	Moldova	Unknown[115]
148	Niger	Unknown
149	Senegal	Unknown

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Angola		Angola has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Luanda.
Cameroon	27 October 1968	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 October 1968[116] Equatorial Guinea has cordial relations with neighbouring Cameroon, although there was criticism in Cameroon in 2000 about perceived mistreatment of Cameroonians working in Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have an unresolved maritime border dispute. The majority Fang ethnic group of mainland Equatorial Guinea extends both north and south into the forests of Cameroon and Gabon. Cameroon exports some food products to Equatorial Guinea and imports oil from Equatorial Guinea for its refinery at nearby Limbe. In December 2008, Equatorial Guinea security forces killed a Cameroonian fisherman and abducted two immigrants, Cameroon closed its border in response.[117] Cameroon has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate in Bata. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Yaoundé and a consulates-general in Ebolowa and Douala.
Chad		Chad has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in N'Djamena.
Congo-Brazzaville	12 July 1971	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1971 when first Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to People's Republic of the Congo Mr. Clemente Aqueda presented his cedentials to President Ngouabi[118] Congo-Brazzavile has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Brazzaville.
Egypt	15 April 1969	Egypt has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Cairo.
Gabon	1968	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1968[10] Gabon has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Libreville and a consulate-general in Oyem.
Ghana	1968	Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Accra. Ghana has an embassy in Malabo.
Morocco	1978	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1978[119] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Rabat. Morocco has an embassy in Malabo.
Nigeria	25 January 1969	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1969[14] Equatorial Guinea has warmer relations with Nigeria, and the Nigerian President made an official visit to Malabo in 2001. The two countries have delineated their offshore borders, which will facilitate development of nearby gas fields. In addition, many Nigerians work in Equatorial Guinea, as do immigrants from Cameroon and some West African states. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Abuja and consulates-general in Calabar and Lagos. Nigeria has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate in Bata.
São Tomé and Príncipe		Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in São Tomé. São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Malabo.
South Africa	5 May 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 May 1993[120] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Malabo.

Americas

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Argentina	26 April 1974	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 April 1974.[121] Argentina is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Brazil	26 May 1975	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1975[36] Brazil has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Brasília.
Canada	20 August 1980	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 August 1980[122] Canada is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.[123] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Canada from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
Chile	9 November 1971	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 November 1971[124] Chile is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Chile from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Colombia	6 May 1981	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1981[125] Colombia is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Accra, Ghana. Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
Cuba	27 December 1972	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 December 1972[32] Cuba has an embassy in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Havana.
Mexico	26 September 1975	See Equatorial Guinea–Mexico relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1975[37] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[126] Mexico is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.[127]
United States	21 November 1968	See Equatorial Guinea–United States relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1968, diplomatic relations suspension from 14 March 1976 to 19 December 1979.[128] Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Washington, D.C. In 1995, the United States closed its embassy, ostensibly for budget reasons, though the ambassador of the time had been accused of witchcraft, and had criticised the human rights situation. In 1996, offshore oil began flowing, and, with several US oil companies present in the country, the US reopened the embassy in October 2003. The US has sought to encourage the progress of human rights to the country by addressing its concerns directly to the government, as well as holding seminars for better police conduct and judicial conferences with US judges to improve the rule of law.[129] The US State Department on relations between United States and Equatorial Guinea remarks:"Equatorial Guinea’s hydrocarbon riches dwarf all other economic activity; the country’s oil reserves are located mainly in the Gulf of Guinea. U.S. oil companies are one of Equatorial Guinea’s largest investors, and they have a lead role in oil and gas exploration and extraction. Equatorial Guinea’s exports to the U.S. are dominated by petroleum products. In an effort to attract increased U.S. investment, U.S. passport-holders are entitled to visa-free entry. Imports from the U.S. include machinery, iron and steel products, optic and medical instruments, and inorganic chemical and rare earth minerals. The U.S. is following closely Equatorial Guinea’s discussions with The International Monetary Fund on a possible program aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit, increase non-oil revenue, address public financial management weaknesses (while protecting social spending), and improve governance and transparency in public administration and the hydrocarbon sector."[130] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and a consulate-general in Houston.[131] United States has an embassy in Malabo.[132]
Venezuela	7 May 1981	See Equatorial Guinea–Venezuela relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 May 1981[55] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Caracas. Venezuela has an embassy in Malabo.

Asia

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
China	15 October 1970	See China–Equatorial Guinea relations The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1970.[22] China has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Beijing.
India	1968	See Equatorial Guinea–India relations Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in New Delhi. India has an embassy in Malabo.
Israel	1968[12]	Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Japan	20 October 1980	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1980[133] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Japan from its embassy in Beijing, China. Japan is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Libreville, Gabon.
North Korea	30 January 1969	See Equatorial Guinea–North Korea relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1969[134] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to North Korea from its embassy in Beijing, China. North Korea has an embassy in Malabo.
South Korea	14 September 1979	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1979[135] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to South Korea from its embassy in Beijing, China. South Korea is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Libreville, Gabon.
Turkey	16 September 1980	See Equatorial Guinea–Turkey relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 September 1980[48][49] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Ankara.[136] Turkey has an embassy in Malabo.[136] Trade volume between the two countries was US$23.8 million in 2019 (Guinean exports/imports: 3.6/20.2 million USD).[136] There are direct flights from Istanbul to Malabo since 7 February 2020.[136]

Europe

Country	Formal relations established	Notes
Belgium		Belgium is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Brussels.
France	10 July 1969	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1969[137] Equatorial Guinea is member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), which includes Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, and Gabon. It also is a member of the Franc zone. Parallel to the Equatoguinean rapprochement with its Francophone neighbors, France's role has significantly increased following Equatorial Guinea's entry into the CFA Franc Zone and the BEAC. French technical advisers work in the finance and planning ministries, and agreements have been signed for infrastructure development projects. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Malabo.
Germany	7 June 1969	See Equatorial Guinea–Germany relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 June 1969[138] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Malabo.
Poland	29 May 1979	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 May 1979[43] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Poland is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
Portugal	9 May 1977	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 May 1977[139] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Lisbon. Portugal has an embassy in Malabo.
Russia	7 December 1968	See Equatorial Guinea–Russia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1968[9] Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Moscow. Russia is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Spain	12 October 1968	See Equatorial Guinea–Spain relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 October 1968[140] A transitional agreement, signed in October 1968, implemented a Spanish preindependence decision to assist Equatorial Guinea and provided for the temporary maintenance of Spanish military forces there. A dispute with President Francisco Macías Nguema in 1969 led to a request that all Spanish troops immediately depart, and many civilians left at the same time. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were never broken but were suspended by Spain in March 1977 in the wake of renewed disputes. After Macías' fall in 1979, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo asked for Spanish assistance, and since then, Spain has regained influence in Equatorial Guinea's diplomatic relations. The two countries signed permanent agreements for economic and technical cooperation, private concessions, and trade relations. President Obiang made an official visit to Madrid in March 2001, and senior Spanish Foreign Ministry officials visited Malabo during 2001 as well. Spain maintained a bilateral assistance program in Equatorial Guinea. Some Equato-Guinean opposition elements are based in Spain to the annoyance of the government in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate in Las Palmas.[141] Spain has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata.[142]
United Kingdom	20 June 1969	Foreign relations of the United Kingdom The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 20 June 1969.[13][failed verification] Equatorial Guinea does not maintain an embassy in the United Kingdom; the Equatoguinean government closed its embassy in London.[143] The United Kingdom is not accredited to Equatorial Guinea through an embassy; the UK develops relations through its high commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.[144] Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact.[145]

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Equatorial Guinea
• List of diplomatic missions of Equatorial Guinea