Equatorial Guinea

130.3 Population 2021
(Millions)

0.78 HDI Score
2019 (Max. 1)

70.2 SDG Score
2020-2021
(Max. 100)

0.32 Gender Inequality
Index Score
(Max. 1)

36 Internet Inclusivity
Index 2022
(100 countries)

Sources: 1. World Bank (2021), 2. UNDP (2019), 3. Sustainable Development Report (2021), 4. UNDP (2019), 5. Economist Impact (2022).

Overview

This small country, located on the western coast of Equatorial Africa, also includes islands, with the largest being Bioko Island. The mainland is characterized by a coastal plain and dense tropical rainforest. As a colony of Spain, Spanish remains the official language (along with French). The country faces a multitude of challenges, and despite many natural resources and oil wealth, the average citizen’s standard of living remains quite low. Some issues that are standing in the way of the country’s political, economic, and social development include high poverty rates, lack of political accountability, and elite capture of oil revenue. The country hopes to address these challenges with its Horizon 2020 Plan.

Projects

Socioeconomic Impact Assessment of COVID-19 in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea,
May - October 2020
P3 - Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems

In partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), ADE, and following the formal request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this project aimed to evaluate the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country. Through rapid macroeconomic and fiscal analysis, sectoral analysis (agriculture, tourism, ICT, education and health) and analysis of socioeconomic vulnerability and expected impacts of the crisis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), DPA produced a report with key recommendations to help the country recover and reduce vulnerability (applicable to subregions). DPA’s work focused on understanding the effects of COVID-19 and coordinating a response based on 5 pillars: 1) putting health first; 2) protecting people through social protection and basic services; 3) promoting social cohesion and community resilience; 4) supporting the macroeconomic response, and 5) fostering multilateral collaboration. All with the objective of advancing towards the SDGs, with the premise of leaving no one behind.

Development of Equatorial Guinea’s First Voluntary National Review (VNR)

Equatorial Guinea,
January - June 2022
P2 - AI and Statistics for the SDGs

DPA, in collaboration with the UNDP Country Office in Equatorial Guinea, and the UN System, is assisting the Government of Equatorial Guinea in the development of the country’s first Voluntary National Review (VNR), which involves the assessment and presentation of the progress made towards the achievement of the SDGs, including the pledge to “Leave no one behind”. The purpose of the Review is to determine where Equatorial Guinea stands with regards to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and how to accelerate its progress.