Equatorial Guinea

The deal for China's Fuhai Holding to take a 40% stake in offshore block EG-08 has been approved by Equatorial Guinea's mining and hydrocarbons ministry. It was still waiting for outbound-investment approval from Beijing, and the deadline for completing it was extended to 31 August 2026. The delay shows that Chinese outbound-investment rules introduced on 1 July can slow Chinese-funded deals in the country.

Megaproject (Europa Oil & Gas company announcement) · 2026-08-01

Vaalco Energy, which operates offshore Block P with a 60% stake, is aiming for a final investment decision on the Venus development in the fourth quarter of 2026. ConocoPhillips remains the majority owner of the Equatorial Guinea LNG export plant. Venus would be one of the few new upstream projects, and it matters to oilfield service and supply companies.

The Rio Times · 2026-10-07

The State Department says foreign investment has fallen because of lower oil output and unpaid construction contracts. It expects new gas deals signed with US companies in 2025 and 2026 to start reversing that decline from around 2028. The investment pipeline depends on gas projects in the medium term, and payment risk on public works remains a concern.

U.S. Department of State, 2026 Investment Climate Statements · 2026-09-29

The EG Ronda 2026 licensing round, which offers 24 blocks and was due to open in the second quarter, still had no published bid deadline, block list, model contract or fiscal terms as of late September. For now, companies mostly gain access by negotiating directly with the ministry under the open-door policy, not through a competitive bidding process.

The Rio Times · 2026-09-20

The US State Department's 2026 Investment Climate Statement confirms that foreign oil and gas companies must have at least 35% local ownership, Equatoguinean citizens on at least one-third of their boards, and presidential approval for major contracts. The national oil company GEPetrol also has first refusal on share sales. On the positive side, it notes a corporate tax cut from 35% to 25% under the new tax code, along with new procurement and fee-setting laws.

U.S. Department of State, 2026 Investment Climate Statements · 2026-09-29

At its 28 September meeting, the regional central bank BEAC held its main rate at 4.50%, leaving in place the cut it made in June. It also lowered its 2026 growth forecast for the six-country CEMAC zone to 3.0%, with inflation at 2.2%. Borrowing costs in local currency are slightly lower than in early 2026, and the CFA franc's fixed peg to the euro means exchange-rate risk against the euro stays low.

Capital Madagascar (Capmad), reporting on BEAC Monetary Policy Committee session · 2026-09-28

No new national growth data came out in the quarter. The latest outside estimates show the economy shrank by about 5.4% in 2025 and will keep shrinking through 2026–27 as hydrocarbon output falls, while public debt rose to about 39% of GDP at end-2025. Entrants should expect weaker state revenue and pressure on public spending, including the risk of late payment on government contracts.

The Rio Times (citing World Bank and IMF data) · 2026-10-07

On 28 July, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon signed an agreement brokered by the African Union to put into effect the 2025 International Court of Justice ruling that gave Malabo sovereignty over the Mbanié, Cocotiers and Conga islets. This ends a dispute of about 50 years over potentially oil-bearing waters, although the exact maritime boundary still has to be negotiated.

Africanews · 2026-07-29

Ciudad de la Paz on the mainland became the official capital in January 2026, but ministries still work from Malabo and Bata, so filings and official meetings still mostly happen in Malabo. The United States has suspended entry for Equatoguinean nationals since June 2025, which complicates travel by local staff and partners for US-linked firms.

The Rio Times · 2026-10-07