Published: May 14, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Equatorial Guinea Travel Advisory and Equatorial Guinea Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Malabo:
New Airport Road, Malabo Dos.
Tel: +240 333-095-741; After-Hours Emergency Line: +240 555-516-008.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 0800-1730; Friday: 0800-1200.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Malabo Country Chapter convenes quarterly or as needed. The Regional Security Office (RSO) remains available to meet with representatives of U.S. private-sector organizations upon request.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Equatorial Guinea Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses travelers should exercise increased caution in Equatorial Guinea due to crime and health concerns.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malabo as being a CRITICAL - threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Equatorial Guinea, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Crime affects urban and rural areas alike due to limited police presence. The most common crime foreigners report is extortion by members of the security forces. Travelers have encountered anti-foreigner hostility from police and other officials.
Theft of unattended items, specifically cash and cellular phones, is the second most common reported crime. Criminals often target victims based on perceived affluence and vulnerability. Avoid walking around late at night, either alone or in a group, due to heightened risk.
When at a gas station, customers are often scammed by the pump attendant who won’t zero out the pump’s meter prior to use, causing the victim to be “shorted” several liters of fuel. Distracted victims pay for what is on the pump, only to realize after they drive away that they did not get what they paid for. Never allow the attendant to begin pumping fuel into your vehicle without seeing that the pump is reset to zero. Request an amount and watch the meter climb to the requested amount before paying.
Residential burglary is also frequently reported, especially among those who do not invest in a robust residential security posture. Residents with more resources install perimeter walls topped with anti-climb fencing, window grilles, and security lighting, and have 24-hour security guards. In addition, an effective deterrent to burglaries and home invasions is the presence of a watchdog.
Among the local population, burglaries and home invasions occur frequently and in the last four years have turned violent, with criminals using machetes. Burglars have entered residences while the occupants were home and asleep. It has been reported that burglars capitalize on the sound of rain as a distraction during some break-ins; as a result, incidents may occur more frequently during the rainy season, which lasts from March until November.
Authorities have reported a recent uptick in youth gang-related criminal activity, including premeditated clashes between rival groups. These confrontations are increasingly violent and frequently involve the use of machetes, raising concerns about public safety in affected areas.
Violent crime directed toward expatriates or foreign tourists is unusual, but there are reports of expatriates who have been attacked violently. Victims of crimes should not resist assailant demands, as resistance may result in violence.
Criminals consider Malabo and Bata prime grounds for operations. Congested urban areas can be dangerous at night, but daytime incidents are also possible. Do not take the presence of other people as an indication of increased security.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Equatorial Guinea.
As of May 2025, there have been no reported incidents of foreign nationals being kidnapped on Bioko Island or the mainland region of Río Muni. However, maritime piracy off the coast of Equatorial Guinea and throughout the Gulf of Guinea continues to pose a significant threat. In March 2025, pirates boarded an asphalt tanker approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio, Principe Island, kidnapping ten crew members who were subsequently released on April 14, 2025.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malabo as being a LOW - threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Equatorial Guinea.
Equatorial Guinea does not have a history of terrorism.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malabo as being a LOW - threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Equatorial Guinea. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Equatorial Guinea’s octogenarian president is the world’s longest-serving head of state. While there is currently no political unrest, the country lacks democratic experience and institutional capacity to guarantee an orderly change of leadership. The regime has thwarted at least three armed attacks allegedly aimed at regime change: in 2004, 2009, and 2017. The next presidential elections are projected to take place in 2029.
Protests & Demonstrations
Civil unrest is rare. Movement and assembly of private citizens are severely restricted and permits to stage demonstrations or public events are often rejected or approved and then cancelled without notice.
In July 2024, authorities detained dozens of Annobonese citizens following a peaceful protest concerning the environmental consequences of dynamite use on Annobón Island. The government accused the detainees of sedition and rebellion.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There are no specific, credible safety and security concerns relating to anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment in Equatorial Guinea.
Law Enforcement
In the event of an emergency, the local police are typically the first point of contact. However, police response is frequently slow, and they often never open investigations. Prosecutions are very slow, if they are even initiated. Report crimes to the local police in Malabo at 113 or nationally to the Equatorial Guinean Ministry of National Security at +240-222-295-007. Be advised that calls to these numbers are not always answered, which may further delay response times.
U.S. citizen victims of crime should call the American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy at +240-555-516-008.
The national police and gendarmes are mainly concentrated in major population centers and run numerous disruptive checkpoints across Malabo and in rural areas. Police may be armed and often attempt to elicit bribes at checkpoints; they may also be drunk or under the influence of drugs and not act rationally.
The vice president (eldest son of President Obiang) has overall responsibility for the security forces. The national police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events. Police report to the Ministry of National Security, while gendarmes report to the Ministry of National Defense. Military personnel, who report to the Ministry of National Defense, also fulfill police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas. Both ministers report to the vice president directly. Additional police elements are in the Ministries of Interior (border and traffic police), Finance (customs police), and Justice (investigative/prosecuting police). Presidential security officials also exercise police functions at or near presidential facilities. Civilian authorities do not maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
Equatorial Guinea’s emergency response is rudimentary.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Equatorial Guinea, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Equatorial Guinea.
There was at least one report the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings in 2023. No specific office investigates the legality of security force killings. Security forces’ abuse led to the death of a person sent to Black Beach Prison through an extrajudicial process. There were no reports of any investigations.
The law prohibits such practices, but there have been reports that police and military personnel in Malabo and in Bata have used excessive force during traffic stops, house-to-house searches, and interrogations, sometimes including sexual assault, robbery, and extortion. Police also tortured opposition members or those perceived to be members of the opposition, according to opposition leaders. Security personnel particularly abused persons suspected of plotting against the government.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court, but the government rarely observes these requirements. There are numerous credible reports of authorities in Equatorial Guinea practicing arbitrary detentions and holding political prisoners. Since February 8, 2023, two South African oil workers have been detained on drug trafficking charges with minimal evidence after the South African judiciary system seized Cape Town properties and a yacht to pay for an outstanding judgement against the vice president.
Cybersecurity
Firms occasionally consult the U.S. Embassy regarding questionable business offers claiming to represent the U.S. Embassy. Perpetrators of fraud often target foreigners. Such fraudulent schemes are now prevalent throughout West Africa. Scams typically begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who pitches a business opportunity promising financial gain.
Import/Export Restrictions
Import of arms and ammunition is not allowed. The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted. The import of satellite phones and drones without government authorization is prohibited, however, even authorized devices have been confiscated by the authorities.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
