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Embassy of India-Africa
Malabo
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India-Equatorial Guinea : Bilateral Brief

Overview :
          India and Equatorial Guinea (EG) have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations even prior to the latter’s independence in 1968. EG established its Diplomatic resident Mission in New Delhi in October 2016. The goodwill relations got culminated with the opening of Indian Mission in Malabo in March 2019. The bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed a greater engagement and momentum in recent years.

High-level Visits:

From India: Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind paid a first-ever high level visit to Equatorial Guinea from April 7-9, 2018. He held fruitful discussions with President H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in an exceptionally warm environment. On 8 April, 2018, Hon’ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind was conferred with Equatorial Guinea’s highest civilian honour “Great Collar of the Order of National Independence” given to the distinguished persons for their contribution in the development of Equatorial Guinea and maintenance of world peace.  The visit concluded with the issue of a Joint Communique. Opening of Indian resident Mission in Malabo was announced during this visit.  

   
From Equatorial Guinea:  President H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo along with a high level delegation visited India in October 2015 to attend the IAFS-III and held bilateral discussions with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Summit. In his address at the summit, he informed that EG is in the process of diversifying its economy and mentioned preferred sectors for Indian investment are Energy, Fishing, Forestry, Livestock farming, Agriculture and Mining. EG Foreign Minister also held bilateral meetings with his Indian counterpart. 
President H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo again visited India on 11 March, 2018 along with an 88-member delegation to attend the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and on the sidelines of this Summit held bilateral discussions with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Equatorial Guinea signed and ratified the ISA agreement.
In February 2021, H.E. Mr. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea accompanied by Vice Minister of National Defence Mr. Candido Ncogo and senior officials attended Aero India Show, 2021 in Bengaluru.

Other Bilateral visits and Interactions:

From India: In May, 2011, MoS (IT & Telecom) Shri Sachin Pilot visited Equatorial Guinea as Special Envoy of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to extend invitation to H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for the Second India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-II) at Addis Ababa. President H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in his capacity as the Chairman of the African Union, attended the IAFS-II Summit at Addis Ababa.
In August 2015, MOS (AYUSH), Shri Shripad Yesso Naik visited EG as Special Envoy of the Hon’ble Prime Minister India to extend invitation to President H.E. Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for the Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III).

The momentum in the bilateral relations between the two countries picked-up with the visit of the Minister of State for External Affairs Shri M.J. Akbar to Equatorial Guinea on 18 August, 2017. Three agreements viz. Establishment of Joint Commission, Foreign Office Consultations and Exemption from visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service passports were signed. The visa waiver agreement became effective from 01 August 2020. MOS (EA) Shri M.J. Akbar again visited EG from 11-13 October, 2018 to attend the 50th anniversary of Equatorial Guinea’s independence.

Foreign Minister Shri S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with EG Foreign Minister Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono Angue in New York on the sidelines of UNGA in September 2019.

A virtual (over telephone) bilateral meeting between Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan with EG Foreign Minister Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono Angue was held on 11 December, 2020, in which a wide range of issues including COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact and bilateral relations were reviewed. 

A 3-member Agricultural delegation visited Equatorial Guinea from 2-4 April, 2018 to study the scope for cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors.

A 3-member delegation from Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines visited Equatorial Guinea from 7-17 April, 2018 to explore the possibilities of cooperation in the field of mining sector. 

A 4-member delegation from Department of Telecommunications from 9-13 July, 2018 visited Equatorial Guinea for preliminary study to explore areas of cooperation in the field of Telecommunication.

BEL delegation visited EG from 3-10 March, 2021 and later from 25 February to 2 March, 2022.

Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary (Central and West Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India visited Malabo on Feb 09 to 12, 2025 to participate in the first round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC).

From Equatorial Guinea: In January 2016, EG Minister of Mines and Energy visited India to attend the Fourth India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference. During the visit, he signed an MoU with ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) for cooperation in the Petroleum and Natural Gas sector.

EG Commerce Minister Mr. Borupu visited India from 7-9 March 2017 to participate in the CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership and had bilateral discussions with MoS (Commerce and Industry) Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on the sidelines of the Conclave. Mr. Borupu had desired India’s assistance in setting-up of a Methane Processing and Polymer Manufacturing plant.

EG Agriculture Minister, Mr. Victor Grange Meile visited India and had meeting with Minister of Agricultural and Farmer’s Welfare on 19 July 2017. The EG Minister sought India’s assistance in capacity building and training in the agriculture sector.

On 16 October, 2017, Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister Mr.  Agapito Mba Mokuy led a delegation to India to take part in the First India-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New Delhi.

On 19-20 July 2022, the Vice-Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Mr. Santiago Eneme Nsuga participated in the 17th CII Exim Bank Conclave on “India Africa Growth Partnership Creating Shared Future” in New Delhi.   

The Minister of Transport, Posts & Telecommunication of EG Mr. Rufino Ovono Ondo Engonga visited India from 24-27 November, 2022 as Special Guest for the prize distribution ceremony of UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon on the invitation of the Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.  

In February 2023, H.E. Mr. Candido Ncogo Engono, Vice-Minister of National Defence accompanied by 5 members delegation attended Aero India Show 2023 in Bengaluru.
On 17 November 2023, H.E. Mr. Diosdado Nguema Nzang, Secretary General of the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons, participated in the Energy Minister’s Session on virtual format of 2nd Voice of Global South Summit 2023.

          On 17 August, 2024, Mrs. Mari-Cruz Evuna Andeme, Secretary of State in Charge of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora, participated in the Second Session of Foreign Ministers on virtual format of 3rd Voice and Global South Summit, 2024.
          The Minister of Electricity and Renewal Energy, Mr. Gervasio Engonga Mba participated in the 7th Assembly of International Solar Alliance held in 3-6 November, 2024 in New Delhi. 

          Two senior officers from Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea participated in the Policy Makers Forum for recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia held in August, 2024.

Bilateral Mechanism:

There are two institutional bilateral mechanisms between India and Equatorial Guinea : Joint Commission and Foreign Office Consultations, established by agreements signed in August, 2017.

The First Joint Commission Meeting between India and Equatorial Guinea was held on October 16, 2017. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs and the Equatorial Guinea side was led by Mr. Agapito Mba Mokuy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea.

          The first round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held on February 10, 2025, in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Co-Chaired by Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary (Central and West Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Mr. Matias Nguema Mba Medja, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Trade & Commerce :
India’s relationship with EG is characterized by strong partnership in the oil and gas sector. Economic and commercial relations between India and Equatorial Guinea, though limited in nature, have been growing steadily in the last few years, primarily due to EG’s emergence as an important source of oil and other energy products. Bilateral trade increased from US$ 11.54 million in 2010–11 to US$ 983.80 million in 2019-20. Primary items of India’s exports to EG are food products, cereals, meat, pharmaceuticals, machinery, apparel etc. Main items of India’s imports from EG are oil, gas, metal and other scraps and timber.  Bilateral trade figures for the last 5 years are given below: (US$ million)

(Department of Commerce, Govt. of India statistics in US$ million)

Investments from India :

There is only one Indian company viz. Golden Swan which is operating in Malabo in the waste management sector. It was established in 2010.

ITEC and other Capacity Building Programmes:

As part of capacity building schemes with African countries, India has been offering training slots to Equatorial Guinea under India Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR Scholarship Schemes. 32 slots are allocated under ITEC programme and 1 slot under ICCR’s Africa Scholarship Scheme annually.  However, a total of 40 ITEC slots have been utilized by EG till FY 2023-24. In FY 2024-25, 23 candidates have already been selected so far for ITEC programme. Further, 4 Equatoguinean diplomats attended the special course organized by Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi in May 2019. One diplomat each attended a course in 2022 and 2024.  An Army officer of Equatorial Guinea attended a training course at College of Military Engineering from Feb-April, 2024. One officer attended the ITEC Executive Programems on ‘Data for Development-Capacity Building Initiative’ at NILERD, New Delhi in October, 2024.

Three journalists from Equatorial Guinea went on a familiarization visit to India in October. 2024 joining Media journalists from countries of Central and West Africa Region.

Humanitarian Assistance :
          During visit of Hon’ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind to EG in April 2018, a cash grant of USD 15,000/- was presented by the First Lady of India to CANIGE School and Sampaka Psychiatric Care Centre in Malabo.
On 8 June 2020, Government of India donated medicine and medical equipments to Equatorial Guinea to display her solidarity with Equatorial Guinea in fighting against Covid-19 pandemic. On 12 May 2022, Embassy of India, Malabo handed over anti- Tuberculosis medicines gifted by the Government of India to EG.
From 2-15 March 2022, Government of India organized an Artificial Prosthetic Limbs Fitment camp in Mongomo with requisite resources from Bhagwan Mahaveer Vikalang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), popularly known as Jaipur Foot, for providing artificial limbs to impaired Equatoguineans and more than 100 nationals benefited from it. To broaden the development partnership, an MoU was signed between Constancia Mangue Nsue Okomo Foundation (FCMNO) and Jaipur Foot for setting up of an Artificial Limb Fitment Center in Mongomo, EG.

On February 11, 2025, India gifted anti-retroviral drugs and diagnostic kits for management of HIV/AIDS, weighing around 10,000 kgs to Equatorial Guinea and these medicines were handed over in a ceremony by Additional Secretary Shri Sevala Naik Mude to Minister of Health, Social Welfare and Health Infrastructures of Equatorial Guinea  H. E. Mr. Mitoha Ondo’o Ayekaba.

Cultural Relations:

In March 2022, Equatorial Guinea’s cultural troupe “National Ballet Ceiba” participated in the 35th Surajkund International Craft Fair. This is the first-ever participation of an Equatoguinean cultural troupe in India’s cultural festival. Another dance troupe from EG viz. Mokom Enam Lugu participated in the Lusophone Cultural Week in Goa from 1 -7 December, 2022. “National Ballet Ceiba” again participating in the 38th Surajkund International Craft Fair in February, 2025. Equatorial Guinea’s cultural troupe “National Ballet Ceiba” is also participating in the 38th Surajkund International Craft Fair in February, 2025. 10th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 16 June 2024 at Malabo Sports Club, Malabo with resident diplomats, Equatoguinean Yoga lovers and Indian diaspora. 

Consular :
There are about 400 Indians living in Equatorial Guinea and most of them are employed in the service sectors, Hydrocarbon companies (short-term assignments), departmental stores, trading, export of metal scrap, travel and tours etc. E-visa facility has been extended to Equatorial Guinea since 27 January 2020.

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 February, 2025