Environmental issues in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea faces many environmental challenges, including deforestation and habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, oil and gas pollution and poor waste management. Infrastructure projects and urban growth threaten forests and coastal areas, while many species are endangered by habitat destruction and hunting. Oil extraction and industrial activities contribute to pollution. Limited sewage and waste systems further degrade rivers, coasts and ecosystems.

Land degradation and deforestation

Protected nature in Equatorial Guinea

Between 1990 and 2000, Equatorial Guinea lost an average of 15,200 hectares of forest per year. This leads to an average annual deforestation rate of 0.82%. Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of forest change increased by 8.9% to 0.89% per annum. In total, between 1990 and 2005, Equatorial Guinea lost 12.3% of its forest, or around 228,000 hectares. ^[1] However Equatorial Guinea’s forest management has improved in recent years, with protected areas significantly increasing decreasing deforestation. ^[2]

Oil and gas infrastructure

Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas industry has had significant environmental consequences, particularly for its coastal and sea ecosystems. Oil spills and leaks from offshore platforms and pipelines threaten mangroves, seagrass beds, and fish habitats, disrupting the balance of these ecosystems and harming local fishing places ^[3] The construction and maintenance of infrastructure also disturb terrestrial and island habitats, hurting forests and affecting wildlife populations ^[4]

Operational activities add to add water pollution through accidental spills, industrial runoff, and waste spilling. These pollutants spoil forests, wetlands, and freshwater systems, reducing biodiversity and messing up ecosystem services that local communities rely on for water, food, ^[5]

Environmental monitoring in the country is limited, with weak monitoring. As a result, many negative impacts from oil and gas industry such as habitat destruction, pollution, and emissions remain concerning for Equatorial Guinea environment ^[6]

Waste management and plastic pollution

Equatorial Guniea has immense challenges with waste management and plastic pollution primarily due to a lack of adequate infrastructure. In 2019, approximately 30.5% of municipal solid waste was inadequately managed ^[7] Efforts are under way to ensure changes are made to make waste management so it can be properly functioning for the whole country without excessive pollution.

References

1. "Forest data: Equatorial Guinea Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". worldrainforests.com. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
2. Tessa, Bertrand; Eyang, Fernando Evuna Mboro (2013-11-13). "Equatorial Guinea Increases Protected Forests by 63 Percent, Shows New Atlas".
3. Najoui, Zhour; Amoussou, Nellya; Riazanoff, Serge; Aurel, Guillaume; Frappart, Frédéric (2022-10-18). "Oil slicks in the Gulf of Guinea – 10 years of Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar observations". Earth System Science Data. 14 (10): 4569–4588. Bibcode:2022ESSD...14.4569N. doi: 10.5194/essd-14-4569-2022 . ISSN   1866-3508.
4. Burca, Jackie De (2024-03-07). "Equatorial Guinea Biodiversity and the Built Environment" . Retrieved 2025-11-26.
5. Wikle, Thomas A. "Oil and the Misspent Riches of Equatorial Guinea". www.focusongeography.org. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
6. "West Africa oil boom overlooks tattered environmental safety net". Oil Change International. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
7. Abroad, Drexel Study (2014-12-03). "Christopher Vito: Equatorial Guinea's Waste Management". Drexel Education Abroad. Retrieved 2025-11-26.