Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea covers about 28,000 km² and consists of a mainland region (Río Muni) and several islands, including Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea. The country has a tropical climate with high rainfall and dense vegetation. Much of its terrain is covered by lowland rainforest, creating favourable conditions for agriculture and forestry.
Before Spanish colonisation, local communities practised subsistence farming and fishing. During colonial rule, plantation agriculture expanded, especially for cocoa and coffee. After independence in 1968, agriculture remained important until the discovery of oil in the 1990s shifted the economic focus.

Today, the primary sector contributes only a small share of GDP — less than 5% — due to the dominance of oil and gas. However, it still plays a key role in employment and food supply. Around 10–15% of the land is used for agriculture. Cocoa remains the most important traditional cash crop, especially on Bioko Island. Other crops include coffee, cassava, bananas and maize, mainly grown for domestic consumption. Livestock farming is limited, involving small-scale cattle, goats and poultry.

Forests cover roughly 60% of the country’s territory, making forestry an important economic activity, particularly for timber exports.

Equatorial Guinea’s coastal location supports fisheries, which contribute to local diets and livelihoods.

Overall, the primary sector reflects the country’s tropical environment: small-scale farming, extensive forest resources and coastal fishing. Although oil now dominates the economy, agriculture, forestry and fisheries remain important for rural livelihoods and food security.

In 2025, Gerold visited Equatorial Guinea for five days. He went to the promenade and the nature park in Malabo. Clean and well maintained, that's my summary.