Equatorial Guinea vs. Cameroon
Introduction
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979. He has been elected several times since 1996, and was most recently reelected in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have generally been labeled as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oil fields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, the drop in global oil prices as of 2014 has placed significant strain on the state budget and pushed the country into recession. Oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region.
| Much of the area of present-day Cameroon was ruled by powerful chiefdoms before becoming a German colony in 1884 known as Kamerun. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the UK as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA. |
Geography
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon | Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria |
| Geographic coordinates | 2 00 N, 10 00 E | 6 00 N, 12 00 E |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km | total: 475,440 sq km land: 472,710 sq km water: 2,730 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Maryland | slightly larger than California; about four times the size of Pennsylvania |
| Land boundaries | total: 528 km border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km, Gabon 345 km | total: 5,018 km border countries (6): Central African Republic 901 km, Chad 1116 km, Republic of the Congo 494 km, Equatorial Guinea 183 km, Gabon 349 km, Nigeria 1975 km |
| Coastline | 296 km | 402 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm |
| Climate | tropical; always hot, humid | varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north |
| Terrain | coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic | diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 577 m | highest point: Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 667 m |
| Natural resources | petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay | petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower |
| Land use | agricultural land: 10.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.5% (2018 est.) other: 32.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 20.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 13.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.2% (2018 est.) forest: 41.7% (2018 est.) other: 37.7% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | NA | 290 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | violent windstorms; flash floods volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea | volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986 |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation | waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation and overgrazing result in erosion, desertification, and reduced quality of pastureland; poaching; overfishing; overhunting |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban |
| Geography - note | insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator | sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano |
| Total renewable water resources | 26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 283.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map | population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 857,008 (July 2021 est.) | 28,524,175 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 38.73% (male 164,417/female 159,400) 15-24 years: 19.94% (male 84,820/female 81,880) 25-54 years: 32.72% (male 137,632/female 135,973) 55-64 years: 4.69% (male 17,252/female 22,006) 65 years and over: 3.92% (male 13,464/female 19,334) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 42.34% (male 5,927,640/female 5,820,226) 15-24 years: 20.04% (male 2,782,376/female 2,776,873) 25-54 years: 30.64% (male 4,191,151/female 4,309,483) 55-64 years: 3.87% (male 520,771/female 552,801) 65 years and over: 3.11% (male 403,420/female 460,248) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 20.3 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.7 years (2020 est.) | total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.8 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 2.29% (2021 est.) | 2.77% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 30.09 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 35.91 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 7.16 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 7.93 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 63.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 60.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 50.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 66.35 years male: 64.96 years female: 67.78 years (2021 est.) | total population: 62.79 years male: 61.07 years female: 64.57 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 4.02 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 4.61 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 7.3% (2020 est.) | 3% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean | noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian |
| Ethnic groups | Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census) | Bamileke-Bamu 24.3%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 21.6%, Biu-Mandara 14.6%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 11%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Grassfields 7.7%, Kako, Meka/Pygmy 3.3%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 2.7%, Southwestern Bantu 0.7%, foreign/other ethnic group 4.5% (2018 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 68,000 (2020 est.) | 500,000 (2020 est.) |
| Religions | nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, Muslim, Baha'i, animist, indigenous | Roman Catholic 38.3%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 6.9%, Muslim 24.4%, animist 2.2%, other 0.5%, none 2.2% (2018 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 2,300 (2020 est.) | 14,000 (2020 est.) |
| Languages | Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 census) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. | 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.3% male: 97.4% female: 93% (2015) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.1% male: 82.6% female: 71.6% (2018) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever animal contact diseases: rabies | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis |
| Education expenditures | NA | 3.1% of GDP (2018) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 73.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 58.1% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 81.7% of population rural: 32.1% of population total: 67.6% of population unimproved: urban: 18.3% of population rural: 67.9% of population total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 94% of population rural: 54.6% of population total: 76.5% of population unimproved: urban: 6% of population rural: 45.3% of population total: 23.5% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 81.2% of population rural: 63.4% of population total: 76.2% of population unimproved: urban: 18.8% of population rural: 36.6% of population total: 23.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 83.3% of population rural: 25.6% of population total: 57.7% of population unimproved: urban: 16.7% of population rural: 74.4% of population total: 42.3% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018) | 4.164 million YAOUNDE (capital), 3.793 million Douala (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 301 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 529 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 5.6% (2011) | 11% (2018/19) |
| Health expenditures | 3% (2018) | 3.5% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017) | 0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2011) |
| Hospital bed density | 2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010) | 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2010) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 8% (2016) | 11.4% (2016) |
| Demographic profile | Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea's main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line. Equatorial Guinea's large and growing youth population - about 60% are under the age of 25 - is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence. | Cameroon has a large youth population, with more than 60% of the populace under the age of 25. Fertility is falling but remains at a high level, especially among poor, rural, and uneducated women, in part because of inadequate access to contraception. Life expectancy remains low at about 55 years due to the prevalence of HIV and AIDs and an elevated maternal mortality rate, which has remained high since 1990. Cameroon, particularly the northern region, is vulnerable to food insecurity largely because of government mismanagement, corruption, high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. Despite economic growth in some regions, poverty is on the rise, and is most prevalent in rural areas, which are especially affected by a shortage of jobs, declining incomes, poor school and health care infrastructure, and a lack of clean water and sanitation. Underinvestment in social safety nets and ineffective public financial management also contribute to Cameroon's high rate of poverty. The activities of Boko Haram, other armed groups, and counterinsurgency operations have worsened food insecurity in the Far North region. International migration has been driven by unemployment (including fewer government jobs), poverty, the search for educational opportunities, and corruption. The US and Europe are preferred destinations, but, with tighter immigration restrictions in these countries, young Cameroonians are increasingly turning to neighboring states, such as Gabon and Nigeria, South Africa, other parts of Africa, and the Near and Far East. Cameroon's limited resources make it dependent on UN support to host more than 420,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2020. These refugees and asylum seekers are primarily from the Central African Republic and Nigeria. Internal and external displacement have grown dramatically in recent years. Boko Haram's attacks and counterattacks by government forces in the Far North since 2014 have increased the number of internally displaced people. Armed conflict between separatists and Cameroon's military in the the Northwest and Southwest since 2016 have displaced hundreds of thousands of the country's Anglophone minority. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 12.6% (2011) | 19.3% (2018) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 64.4 youth dependency ratio: 60.5 elderly dependency ratio: 3.9 potential support ratio: 25.5 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 81.1 youth dependency ratio: 76.2 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.3 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee Equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee Equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea etymology: the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the "equatorial" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator | conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: Kamerun, French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon etymology: in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers named the area near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; over time the designation became Cameroon in English; this is the only instance where a country is named after a crustacean |
| Government type | presidential republic | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Malabo; note - a new capital of Cuidad de la Paz (formerly referred to as Oyala) is being built on the mainland near Djibloho; Malabo is on the island of Bioko geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Malabo Lopelo Melaka (1837-1937), the last king of the Bubi, the ethnic group indigenous to the island of Bioko; the name of the new capital, Cuidad de la Paz, translates to "City of Peace" in Spanish | name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: founded as a German colonial settlement of Jaunde in 1888 and named after the local Yaunde (Ewondo) people |
| Administrative divisions | 8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas | 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, East (Est), Far North (Extreme-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West (Sud-Ouest) |
| Independence | 12 October 1968 (from Spain) | 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 12 October (1968) | State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) |
| Constitution | history: previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president; amended several times, last in 2012 | history: several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; amendment drafts require approval of at least one third of the membership in either house of Parliament; passage requires absolute majority vote of the Parliament membership; passage of drafts requested by the president for a second reading in Parliament requires two-thirds majority vote of its membership; the president can opt to submit drafts to a referendum, in which case passage requires a simple majority; constitutional articles on Cameroon's unity and territorial integrity and its democratic principles cannot be amended; amended 2008 |
| Legal system | mixed system of civil and customary law | mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 20 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Vice President Teodoro Nguema OBIANG Mangue(since 2012) head of government: Prime Minister Francisco Pascual Eyegue OBAMA Asue (since 23 June 2016); First Deputy Prime Minister Clemente Engonga NGUEMA Onguene (since 23 June 2016); Second Deputy Prime Minister Angel MESIE Mibuy (since 5 February 2018); Third Deputy Prime Minister Alfonso Nsue MOKUY (since 23 June 2016) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 April 2016 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5% | chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) head of government: Prime Minister Joseph Dion NGUTE (since 4 January 2019); Deputy Prime Minister Amadou ALI (since 2014) cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 71.3%, Maurice KAMTO (MRC) 14.2%, Cabral LIBII (Univers) 6.3%, other 8.2% |
| Legislative branch | description: bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (70 seats; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote and 15 appointed by the president) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed paryt-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE and aligned coalition 70; composition - men 60, women 10, percent of women 14.3% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 99, CI 1; composition - men 78, women 22, percent of women 22%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 18.8% | description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (100 seats; 70 members indirectly elected by regional councils and 30 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held in 2023) National Assembly - last held on 9 February 2020 (current term extended by President); note - the constitutional court has ordered a partial rerun of elections in the English speaking areas; date to be determined election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDPM 81.1%, SDF 8.6%, UNDP 5.8%, UDC 1.16%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CPDM 63, SDF 7 National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 139, UNDP 7, SDF 5, PCRN 5, UDC 4, FSNC 3, MDR 2, Union of Socialist Movements 2; 13 vacant; composition - NA |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice - who is also chief of state - and 9 judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies; note - judges subject to dismissal by the president at any time subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals | highest courts: Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon, a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly; judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms subordinate courts: Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrates' courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Citizens for Innovation or CI [Gabriel Nse Obiang OBONO] Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Andres ESONO ONDO] Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro Obiang NGUEMA MBASOGO] Electoral Coalition or EC Juntos Podemos (coalition includes CPDS, FDR, UDC) National Congress of Equatorial Guinea [Agustin MASOKO ABEGUE] National Democratic Party [Benedicto OBIANG MANGUE] National Union for Democracy [Thomas MBA MONABANG] Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Carmelo MBA BACALE] Popular Union or UP [Daniel MARTINEZ AYECABA] Union for the Center right or UDC [Avelino MOCACHE MEHENGA] not officially registered parties: Democratic Republican Force or FDR [Guillermo NGUEMA ELA] Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO] | Alliance for Democracy and Development Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA] Cameroon People's Party or CPP [Edith Kah WALLA] Cameroon Renaissance Movement or MRC [Maurice KAMTO] Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA] Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation or PCRN [Cabral LIBII] Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon or FSNC [Issa Tchiroma BAKARY] Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA] Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO] National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA] Progressive Movement or MP [Jean-Jacques EKINDI] Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI] Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Provisionary Management Bureau] Union of Socialist Movements |
| International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) | ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Miguel Ntutumu EVUNA ANDEME (since 23 February 2015) chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 email address and website: info@egembassydc.com https://www.egembassydc.com/ consulate(s) general: Houston | chief of mission: Ambassador Henri ETOUNDI ESSOMBA (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 email address and website: cs@cameroonembassyusa.org https://www.cameroonembassyusa.org/mainFolder/index.html |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Susan N. STEVENSON (since 11 April 2019) embassy: Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo mailing address: 2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [240] 333 09-57-41 email address and website: Malaboconsular@state.gov https://gq.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission (currently serving as Charge d'Affaires) Mary E. DASCHBACH embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé mailing address: 2520 Yaounde Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 22251-4000/[237] 22220-1500 FAX: [237] 22220-1500, Ext. 4531 email address and website: YaoundeACS@state.gov https://cm.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Douala |
| Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence | three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the "star of unity" note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia |
| National anthem | name: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path) lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed) note: adopted 1968 | name: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers) lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 and officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt |
| National symbol(s) | silk cotton tree; national colors: green, white, red, blue | lion; national colors: green, red, yellow |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%. Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP. Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population's living conditions. Equatorial Guinea's real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector. Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014. As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services. Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop. | Cameroon's market-based, diversified economy features oil and gas, timber, aluminum, agriculture, mining and the service sector. Oil remains Cameroon's main export commodity, and despite falling global oil prices, still accounts for nearly 40% of exports. Cameroon's economy suffers from factors that often impact underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, continuing inefficiencies of a large parastatal system in key sectors, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF continues to press for economic reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. The Government of Cameroon provides subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel that have strained the federal budget and diverted funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as low oil prices have led to lower revenues. Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects currently under construction, including a deep seaport in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon's energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant. Cameroon continues to seek foreign investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, create jobs, and improve its economic footprint, but its unfavorable business environment remains a significant deterrent to foreign investment. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $25.164 billion (2019 est.) $26.65 billion (2018 est.) $28.459 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $94.248 billion (2019 est.) $90.868 billion (2018 est.) $87.32 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | -3.2% (2017 est.) -8.6% (2016 est.) -9.1% (2015 est.) | 3.5% (2017 est.) 4.6% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $18,558 (2019 est.) $20,360 (2018 est.) $22,551 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars | $3,642 (2019 est.) $3,604 (2018 est.) $3,555 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 2.5% (2017 est.) industry: 54.6% (2017 est.) services: 42.9% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 16.7% (2017 est.) industry: 26.5% (2017 est.) services: 56.8% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 44% (2011 est.) | 37.5% (2014 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA | lowest 10%: 37.5% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 1.2% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) | 2.4% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 195,200 (2007 est.) | 9.912 million (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 8.6% (2014 est.) 22.3% (2009 est.) | 4.3% (2014 est.) 30% (2001 est.) |
| Budget | revenues: 2.114 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.523 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 5.363 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.556 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling | petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair |
| Industrial production growth rate | -6.9% (2017 est.) | 3.3% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | sweet potatoes, cassava, roots/tubers nes, plantains, oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa, eggs | cassava, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, sugar cane, sorghum, tomatoes, bananas, vegetables |
| Exports | $8.776 billion (2019 est.) $8.914 billion (2018 est.) $9.94 billion (2017 est.) | $4.732 billion (2017 est.) $4.561 billion (2016 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | crude petroleum, natural gas, industrial alcohols, lumber, veneer sheeting (2019) | crude petroleum, cocoa beans, lumber, gold, natural gas, bananas (2019) |
| Exports - partners | China 34%, India 19%, Spain 11%, United States 7% (2019) | China 17%, Netherlands 14%, Italy 9%, United Arab Emirates 8%, India 7%, United States 6%, Belgium 6%, Spain 5%, France 5% (2019) |
| Imports | $6.245 billion (2019 est.) $6.129 billion (2018 est.) $5.708 billion (2017 est.) | $4.812 billion (2017 est.) $4.827 billion (2016 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | gas turbines, beer, ships, industrial machinery, excavation machinery (2019) | crude petroleum, scrap vessels, rice, special purpose ships, packaged medicines (2019) |
| Imports - partners | United States 22%, Spain 19%, China 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) | China 28%, Nigeria 15%, France 9%, Belgium 6% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $1.211 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.074 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $9.375 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.364 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 605.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) | Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 605.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | 1 July - 30 June |
| Public debt | 37.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 43.3% of GDP (2016 est.) | 36.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $45.5 million (31 December 2017 est.) $62.31 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $3.235 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$738 million (2017 est.) -$1.457 billion (2016 est.) | -$932 million (2017 est.) -$1.034 billion (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $10.634 billion (2019 est.) | $34.99 billion (2017 est.) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 41.1 (2020) Starting a Business score: 61 (2020) Trading score: 32 (2020) Enforcement score: 56.2 (2020) | Overall score: 46.1 (2020) Starting a Business score: 86.3 (2020) Trading score: 16 (2020) Enforcement score: 39.9 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 15.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -3.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 50% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 66.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.9% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 6.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 8.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | 17.7% of GDP (2018 est.) 18.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 23.9% of GDP (2015 est.) |
Energy
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 500 million kWh (2016 est.) | 8.108 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 465 million kWh (2016 est.) | 6.411 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 55 million kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 172,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 69,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 36,480 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 308,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) | 96,370 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 200 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) | 135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 6.069 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 910.4 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 1.189 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 906.1 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 4.878 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 331,000 kW (2016 est.) | 1.558 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 61% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 52% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 38% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 47% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 39,080 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 5,200 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 45,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 8,545 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 5,094 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 14,090 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 67% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 75% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 45% (2019) | electrification - total population: 70% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 32% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 6,779 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 856,411 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3.17 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 368,920 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45.17 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 21,400,736 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 79.31 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .gq | .cm |
| Internet users | total: 209,253 percent of population: 26.24% (July 2018 est.) | total: 6,089,200 percent of population: 23.2% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: Equatorial Guinea's climate for operator competition boosted mobile subscribership; broadband services are limited and expensive; submarine cable supported broadband and reliability of infrastructure; government backbone network will connect administrative centers; regional roaming agreement in process (2021) (2018)domestic: fixed-line density is about 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is 45 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: Cameroon's 3G and LTE services are improving through growing competition and a government program to improve national connectivity and support digital economy; saturated use of transactions through m-commerce; developing broadband sector; improved submarine and terrestrial cable connectivity strengthened international bandwidth and lowered prices; pushing start of fiber link to Congo; fiber rollout continues with new government funding; operators opened new data center in 2020 and developed contracts for satellite broadband; government awarded contract to provide connectivity to universities (2021) (2020)domestic: only about 4 per 100 persons for fixed-line subscriptions; mobile-cellular usage has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of over 82 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 237; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, SAIL, ACE, NCSCS, Ceiba-2, and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe, South America, and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 1,620 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) | total: 400,929 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.49 less than 1 (2019 est.) |
| Broadcast media | the state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019) | government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a TV and radio network, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until August 2007, when the government finally issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operating but are subject to closure at any time; foreign news services required to partner with state-owned national station (2019) |
Transportation
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadways | total: 2,880 km (2017) | total: 77,589 km (2016) paved: 5,133 km (2016) unpaved: 72,456 km (2016) |
| Pipelines | 42 km condensate, 5 km condensate/gas, 79 km gas, 71 km oil (2013) | 53 km gas, 5 km liquid petroleum gas, 1107 km oil, 35 km water (2013) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Bata, Luba, Malabo LNG terminal(s) (export): Bioko Island | oil terminal(s): Limboh Terminal river port(s): Douala (Wouri) Garoua (Benoue) |
| Merchant marine | total: 40 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 6, other 25 (2020) | total: 61 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 34, oil tanker 2, other 24 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 7 (2013) | total: 33 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 6 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 | total: 11 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) | total: 22 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (2013) under 914 m: 8 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 466,435 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 350,000 mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 265,136 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 70,000 mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | 3C | TJ |
Military
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army), Navy, Air Force; Guardia Civil (paramilitary force for internal security) (2021) | Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique, MNR, includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bataillons d'Intervention Rapide, BIR), Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard (2021) note - the Rapid Intervention Battalion, a brigade-sized force comprised of several high-readiness land units, maintains its own command and control structure and reports directly to the President, rather than the Defense Minister |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 2-year service obligation; women hold only administrative positions in the Navy (2019) | 18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years; periodic government calls for volunteers (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.1% of GDP (2018) 1.1% of GDP (2017) 1.2% of GDP (2016) 1% of GDP (2015) | 1.1% of GDP (2019) 1.1% of GDP (2018) 1.3% of GDP (2017) 1.3% of GDP (2016) 1.3% of GDP (2015) |
| Maritime threats | the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea." | tthe International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2020, there were 98 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a 24% decrease from the total number of incidents in 2019, it included all three hijackings and 9 of 11 ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2020, a record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 95% of kidnappings worldwide; approximately 51% of all incidents of piracy and armed robbery are taking place off Nigeria, which is a decrease from the 71% in 2019 and an indication pirates are traveling further to target vessels; Nigerian pirates are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-002 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 9 January 2021, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea." |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE) have approximately 1,400 active duty troops; approximately 400 Guardia Civil (2021) | information varies widely; approximately 40,000 active duty troops; (25,000 ground forces, including the BIR and Presidential Guard; 2,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 12,000 Gendarmerie) (2020) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years,it has sought to modernize its naval inventory; Ukraine is the leading provider of equipment since 2010, followed by Israel (2020) | the FAC inventory includes a mix of mostly older or second-hand Chinese, Russian, and Western equipment, with a limited quantity of more modern weapons; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of armaments to the FAC (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delayed final delimitation; UN urged Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay | Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agreed on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries |
| Trafficking in persons | current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Equatorial Guinea and Equatoguineans abroad; the majority of trafficking victims are subjected to forced domestic service and commercial sex in cities, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant sector; local and foreign women, including Latin Americans, are exploited in commercial sex domestically, while some Equatoguinean women are sex trafficked in Spain; some children from rural areas have been forced into domestic servitude; children from nearby countries are forced to labor as domestic workers, market workers, vendors, and launderers; individuals recruited from African countries and temporary workers from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela are sometimes exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020) | current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Cameroon and Cameroonians abroad; deteriorating economic and education conditions and diminished police and judicial presence caused by conflict in the Northwest and Southwest has left displaced persons vulnerable to trafficking; parents may be lured by promises of education or a better life for their children in urban areas, and then the children are subject to forced labor and sex trafficking; teenagers and adolescents may be lured to cities with promises of employment and then become victims of forced labor and sex trafficking; children from neighboring countries are forced to work in spare parts shops or cattle grazing by business owners and herders; Cameroonians, often from rural areas, are exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking in the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and African countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon does not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated at least nine suspected trafficking cases, identified 77 victims, and provided some training on trafficking indicators to officials and teachers; however, officials prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers; standard operating procedures for the identification and referral of trafficking victims were not implemented, and officials were not trained on the measures; the government did not report referring trafficking victims to government institutions for vulnerable children, but NGO-funded centers provided care for an unknown number of child victims; 2012 anti-trafficking legislation addressing victim and witness protection in conformity with international law was not passed for the eighth consecutive year (2020) |
Environment
| Equatorial Guinea | Cameroon | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 45.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.65 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.21 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 65.26 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 8.29 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 30.71 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 15.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 246.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 104.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 737 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 1.52% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 2.5% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,270,617 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 13,082 tons (2009 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.4% (2009 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
