Our World See This Report at Worldfolio.Co.Uk Thursday, September 27Th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA a New Horizon

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Our World See this report at worldfolio.co.uk Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA A new horizon

This supplement to USA TODAY was produced by United World Ltd., Suite 179, 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RH – Tel: +44 20 7409 3106 – [email protected] – www.unitedworld-usa.com Gifted with one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest hydrocarbon reserves and boasting a strategic geographical location, Equatorial Guinea has the potential to become the CEMAC region’s energy, maritime, tourism and transshipment hub

Equatorial Guinea is emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. After the discovery of massive reserves in the 1990s, it has become the third-largest producer of oil in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nige- ria and Angola, with annual revenues from this sector topping “EQUATORIAL $8 billion, in addition to invest- GUINEA IS A ment now totaling more than COUNTRY THAT $40 billion. The country’s sharp DURING ITS rise in oil exports has contributed SHORT HISTORY to its impressive GDP growth, HAS EXTENDED ITS which averaged 30% annually HAND TO THE for the first decade of the oil pro- UNITED STATES. duction start-up. At over WE NEED TO $19,000, GDP per capita in Equa- WORK TOGETHER torial Guinea now exceeds some ON THE SECURITY European countries. OF THE GULF OF In addition to rising regional GUINEA BECAUSE prominence, this flush economic IT’S VERY scenario has allowed the coun- IMPORTANT TO try to make gigantic strides to- BOTH COUNTRIES. wards its goal of becoming a an GIVEN THE emerging economy by the year CURRENT LEVEL OF 2020. Now fully in progress, Pres- ECONOMIC ident Teodoro Obiang Nguema COOPERATION, Mbasogo’s national economic EQUATORIAL development plan, Horizon GUINEA 2020, aims to speed up Equato- CONSIDERS ITSELF rial Guinea’s development and A FRIEND AND democratization, encompass- ALLY OF ing a range of efforts across the THE U.S.” board from infrastructure investment and government re- form to gender equality and poverty reduction. TEODORO OBIANG NGUEMA A $1 billion Social Develop- MBASOGO, ment Fund has been created to President of the Republic of help support these initiatives. As Equatorial Guinea a sustainable path to reducing poverty and building infrastructure, Horizon 2020 specifically targets improvements in healthcare, including access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation, and education. Among the various new hospitals constructed in the country since the launch of the development plan is La Paz Medical Center in Bata, now one of the most sophisticated hospitals on the African continent. Strides have also been Physical infrastructure devel- country into the international Economic Community of Cen- made in fighting malaria on the opment is a central goal of Hori- spotlight and served to show- tral African States (CEMAC), FACTS & FIGURES island of Bioko through the zon 2020, and investment in case the nation’s progress. Equa- the commencement of both oil Malaria Control Project, which roadways, bridges, public build- torial Guinea is also gearing up and gas production in the coun- has helped reduce child mor- ings, housing and electricity net- to host the seventh African try, and the subsequent creation tality there by a third, far ahead works has been ongoing. Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) of national oil and gas companies of the UN’s Millennium Devel- This summer alone the Pres- Heads of State Summit this year GE Petrol and Sonagas. opment Goals 2015 agenda. ident inaugurated the River from December 10-14, which The President has long been The United Nations’ goals for Wele bridge, the Mbini City provides the opportunity for a strong supporter of close ties literacy and primary education Council, the Bolondo highway leaders from those regions to with the United States, and ac- have also been met ahead of and the Mbini Stadium, while discuss the implications of the tively advocated for the re- schedule. The addition of pre- laying the foundation stones of global economic crisis on mem- opening of the U.S. embassy in school has been one of the coun- the Mbini public market, dis- ber states, ACP cooperation with Malabo in 2006, since which try’s greatest achievements in trict courthouse, police station BRICs, intra-ACP cooperation time the U.S. has become one education over the last few years, and hospital, as well as unveil- and ACP-EU trade relations. of Equatorial Guinea’s largest and educational development ing plans for a new social hous- The success of the 2011 ref- bilateral trading partners. To- and training continue to be top ing sub-division there. The first erendum vote was another day, Equatorial Guinea supplies priorities in the country. Fur- stone was also laid this summer benchmark for the country, roughly 17% of the United States’ thering this investment have for a new highway connecting marking a step forward in its de- natural gas. U.S. investments G Diplomatic G GDP real growth rate been the advances made in Sipolo with Bilen and the Bata- mocratization process – a key alone in Equatorial Guinea to- representation in the U.S. 7.1% (2011 est.) telecommunications, specifically Bome highway, in addition to goal in Horizon 2020. The ap- tal more than $20 billion, and the Ambassador Purificacion in fiber optics connectivity. The the commencement of upgrades proval of new constitutional re- largest foreign companies on Angue Ondoion G Industries capital has been connected since on various existing roadways forms paves the way for the Equatoguinean soil are Amer- Petroleum, natural gas and 2009, and the government an- and the expansion of Bata Port. creation of the post of vice-pres- ican, and include ExxonMobil G Capital sawmilling nounced in May that the Africa Improvements in public in- ident in the country and limits and Marathon Oil. . Malabo Coast to Europe (ACE) cable frastructure and hotels also the tenure that the head of state Indeed, President Obiang has G Agriculture will be connected to mainland surged ahead of several events may have at the helm. Other re- often reiterated the importance G Population Coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, Equatorial Guinea by the end of of global relevance hosted by forms designed to contribute to of continued cooperation be- 685,991 (July 2012 est.) cassava (manioc), bananas, this year. Indeed, Equatorial Equatorial Guinea recently, in- more transparent governance tween the two countries. “Equa- palm oil nuts; livestock; Guinea is a founding member of cluding the African Union and improved accountability in- torial Guinea is a country that G Area and timber the ACE Consortium, and the Summit in 2011 and the Africa cluded the creation of new bod- during its short history has ex- 28,051 sq km new fiber optic connection rep- Cup of Nations and the Africa- ies such as the Senate, Council tended its hand to the United G Natural resources resents a quantum leap in the South America Summit earli- of the Republic, National Coun- States. We need to work to- G GDP per capita Petroleum, natural gas, country’s communications. er this year, which launched the cil for Economic and Social De- gether on the security of the (purchasing power parity) timber, gold, bauxite, velopment, Court of Auditors Gulf of Guinea because it’s very $19,600 (2011 est.) diamonds, tantalum, sand and Ombudsman’s Office. important to both countries. and gravel, and clay Since assuming the office of Given the current level of eco- G GDP composition by A UNITED WORLD SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY: President in 1979, Mr. Obiang nomic cooperation, Equatori- seector G Budget surplus has overseen a number of mile- al Guinea considers itself a Agriculture 3.6% 1.7% of GDP (2011 est.) Rafaela Villacieros, Michael Martinez stones including Equatorial friend and ally of the U.S.,” the Industry 89.7% McGough and Lucas D'Agostino Guinea’s membership in the President said. Services 4.3% (2011 est.) Source: CIA World FactBook

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2 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Setting sail for Horizon 2020

The umbrella under which the Horizon 2020 capital projects are coordinated, the Horizon Agency is overseeing Equatorial Guinea’s transformation to developed country

At the African Union (AU) while acting to strengthen Summit in Malabo in 2011, national human resources former president of Ghana capacities across all eco- John Kufuor said, “Ten years nomic sectors, with a spe- ago, Equatorial Guinea was cial emphasis on promoting ranked amongst the poorest economic autonomy for of the African countries; to- women. day it is ranked very high Also in the social devel- amongst us. The country is opment sphere, the Horizon making strides in all areas; Agency is dedicated to im- Equatorial Guinea is a coun- proving the offer, access and try rapidly evolving.” quality of health services His words underscored the throughout the country and development that has taken oversees the establishment place in the country over the of national housing initia- past few years since Presi- tives in line with the gov- dent Teodoro Obiang Ngue- ernment’s pledge to ma Mbasogo set the Horizon guarantee housing for all. 2020 development plan in Finally, the agency is motion in 2007. tasked with the management Containing many of the of programs aimed at guar- benchmarks set out in the anteeing human rights in the UN Millennium Develop- country. ment Goals, Horizon 2020 In the economic arena, the is a comprehensive eco- Horizon Agency coordinates nomic and social strategy efforts aimed at promoting aimed at moving the coun- agriculture in order to guar- try towards a developed and antee food security, while sustainable economy by working to improve environ- 2020. mental protection and nat- Since 2007, Equatorial ural resource conservation. Guinea has indeed been The agency is also dedi- rapidly transformed, a result Malabo (above) as well as Equatorial Guinea’s other cities and towns are undergoing a dramatic transformation thanks to oil revenues cated to transforming Equa- of the numerous initiatives in torial Guinea into a education, healthcare, in- reforms and democracy to elements are meant to form water, the training of young destination of reference for frastructure and economic reach the goals of the Hori- the base upon which the di- professionals and the pur- services, in particular development launched un- zon 2020 development plan versified economy – com- suit of democratic progress. “AFRICA HAS tourism and financial ser- der the plan and under- and move closer to a devel- prised of four main priority It is also tasked with pro- BEGUN ITS vices, and for sea products, pinned by the country’s solid oped economy.” sectors, namely energy, agri- moting private initiates to REVIVAL, AND IT IS aiming in this sector as in economic performance af- To this end, the govern- culture, fisheries and ser- complement government in- CENTERED ON THE others to maintain as much ter the discovery of major oil ment has created the Social vices – can take root. vestment as a source of so- DEVELOPMENT OF as the value chain as possi- fields. Development Fund as a part Reporting to the Ministry cial development. THE CONTINENT. ble on domestic territory. At the summit, President of Horizon 2020. The plan of Planning, the Horizon On an operational level, the AFRICA HAS As Equatorial Guinea lays Obiang, who was serving as envisages over $1 billion in Agency has been established Horizon Agency’s mandates TAKEN CONTROL the foundations for Horizon AU chairperson, emphasized future spending –with in- to oversee these initiatives include guaranteeing a high- OF ITS OWN 2020, the country’s develop- his government’s efforts to ternational cooperation to and act as coordinator with quality, affordable national RESOURCES, ment progress is serving as drive economic diversifica- lend technical know-how – the various government min- energy supply, establishing WHICH IS HELPING a benchmark for regional ini- tion in strategic sectors and in healthcare and social wel- istries involved in their roll- modern transportation in- OUR COUNTRIES tiatives. As President Obiang consequently, reduce pover- fare, education, gender out, mobilizing the efforts frastructures, improving the TO MOVE has said, “Change is under ty through the investment of equality, transport, electric- of government, administra- quality of education at all lev- FORWARD.” way for the developing these oil revenues, saying, ity, water and sanitation, and tion and the private sector els, and eradicating gender world. There is nothing stop- “Africa has begun its revival, social housing infrastruc- towards Horizon 2020 goals. inequality in access to edu- PRESIDENT TEODORO OBIANG ping us. Not only are we and it is centered on the de- ture. The agency is responsible cation and training. NGUEMA MBASOGO changing in a physical sense, velopment of the continent. Horizon 2020 also in- for ensuring the coherent de- In addition, the agency is but we are also changing Africa has taken control of cludes programs aimed at velopment of the basic eco- working towards adapting people’s mindsets. The per- its own resources, which is the modernization of public nomic infrastructures and the technical, professional ception of Africa is changing helping our countries to governance and investment improved living standards, and university training avail- and we are making sure move forward. We continue in the formation and train- including increased access able in the country to the Equatorial Guinea is leading to work toward institutional ing of human capital. These to health services and clean needs of the job market, the way.” Bridging public and private interests for the nation’s future

Overseeing more than 1,400 new projects with more than 350 companies is GE Proyectos (or EG Projects), the agency within the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure charged with securing the country’s sustainable development through the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects

Prioritizing an interdiscipli- program for connecting rur- nary approach to the chal- al areas in order to combat lenges of development, which “EG PROJECTS IS communication and business takes into account their lo- TODAY WORKING challenges and all nature of cal, national and regional im- ON A RANGE OF problems in these regions, in- pact, EG Projects devises PROJECTS THAT cluding access to healthcare. EXTEND BEYOND strategies for sectoral devel- WHAT WE WERE “For a person living in a re- opment and launches the INITIALLY CREATED mote area like a farmer, for ex- projects needed to meet these TO OVERSEE AND ample, who needs to get his targets. WITH A NUMBER OF products to market, it was Chairman Tarcisio Obama DEPARTMENTS THAT extremely difficult before the Nzeng comments, “EG Pro- WERE NOT program because there was jects is an autonomous body ORIGINALLY no access. So the government within the central govern- INCLUDED IN OUR devised a plan for the con- ment whose mission is to MANDATE.” struction of secondary road- support not only the Min- ways, and today, 95% of the istry of Public Works and In- villages of Equatorial Guinea frastructure but all the “THE GOVERNMENT have access to urban centers.” various ministries and bod- DEVISED A PLAN Though Equatorial ies in the different projects FOR THE Guinea’s oil wealth is helping they are carrying out in the CONSTRUCTION OF to fund these projects, they infrastructure sector. The SECONDARY are in fact intended to sup- concept for the agency came ROADWAYS, AND port the development of the about when the government TODAY, 95% OF THE non-oil economy. saw the boom the country VILLAGES OF “The oil and gas produc- was undergoing, and felt the EQUATORIAL tion that we have here is be- need to relieve the ministries GUINEA HAVE ing channeled into pushing and various government ACCESS TO URBAN this country forward. With- agencies from some of the CENTERS.” out these revenues, we weight of the work ahead. So, would not be able to carry they created EG Projects to out the programs that the assist. government has planned for “Today, we collaborate with TARCISIO OBAMA NZENG, each sector. We’re actually several government depart- Chairman of GE Proyectos aiming for a sustainable ments such as the Ministry of economy. By that I mean that Mines, for example, who has we are working to diversify sent various projects our way, our economy. We know that which we are jointly manag- petroleum is not a perma- ing. There are also projects nent resource and the coun- from the Ministry of Agri- gineers to economists and different types of infrastruc- EG Projects also develops In addition to the con- try needs to be able to culture that we are involved environmental lawyers. ture policy, depending on their its own projects in collabo- struction of urban develop- survive with revenues from in carrying out. The agency is divided into area, and EG Projects is an in- ration with private sector ments, national roadway links other sectors such as indus- “So, basically, EG Projects five departments: research stitution that is more technical companies, such as the up- and secondary roads, air- try, agriculture, fishing and is today working on a range and project evaluation, qual- so we are a major help to them grade and expansion of Bata ports, ports, bridges, river so on. of projects that extend be- ity control and supervision in the technical management Port. “This is a very important canalization, and the infra- “We want to avoid the sit- yond what we were initially of works, legal, commercial, of projects. The ministries car- project that will have signif- structure for the Africa Cup uation that we have observed created to oversee and with and statistics and publica- ry out the policy side of things icant benefits for Equatorial of Nations 2012, EG Projects elsewhere, especially on the a number of departments that tions. Consequently, adds Mr. and we take care of the tech- Guinea when it is finished,” has also been involved in en- African continent, in which were not originally included Nzeng, one of EG Projects’ nical aspects, making sure they says Mr. Nzeng. “We are al- suring even development a country ends up in chaos in our mandate.” main contributions to infra- are efficient, that costs are rea- so responsible for roughly throughout the country, with as soon as the oil runs out be- EG Projects’ strength lies in structure projects lies in its sonable and project times are 95% of the Oyala urban de- a special emphasis on rural cause of a lack of economic the plurality of its members, technical expertise. kept, in addition to carrying velopment project, which we communities. diversification. We are work- who include a range of ex- “The ministries that we work out strict quality control and have managed since its con- “About two years ago, the ing towards preventing that perts from architects and en- with are mainly concerned with follow-up,” he explains. ception.” government developed the here,” concludes Mr. Nzeng.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 3 Small country is global energy giant

Equatorial Guinea holds 4.3% of global oil reserves, meaning the country is the third largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria and Angola, and ahead of Gabon and Cameroon. Statistically speaking, Guinea produces more barrels of oil per capita than Saudi Arabia

Flowing from the Gulf of a common occurrence in the Indeed, companies operat- stated its intention to place a Guinea is a stream of crude so early years of the petroleum in- ing in the sector such as EG 300,000 bpd limit on oil pro- significant that in just a few dustry’s development, he says LNG, Atlantic Methanol and duction, at current production “SONAGAS IS FULFILLING ITS MISSION short years it has transformed that the gas flow has now been Marathon Oil are currently of levels Equatorial Guinea has TO STRENGTHEN OUR INDUSTRIAL Equatorial Guinea from an agri- harnessed, thanks to the gov- building a world-class gas pro- guaranteed petroleum reserves CAPACITY THROUGH THE TRAINING OF cultural backwater into one of ernment’s gas monetization pol- cessing hub in the country, and until 2035, and sufficient gas SKILLED PROFESSIONALS. THE sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil icy, which funded the Punta Europa on Bioko Island reserves for at least a decade COMPANY HAS ALSO MADE exporters with a GDP per capi- development of the nascent gas is now a major transshipment longer. These could expand SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN LNG ta higher than many European industry in the country. center for the industry. A con- given the high possibility of fu- PROJECTS, IN METHANOL, 3G, AS WELL countries. Production has in- “We began to establish in- sortium comprised of ture discoveries, especially AS THE DOMESTIC GAS PROJECT.” creased from just 5,000 barrels dustries like LNG, methanol, Marathon Oil (60%), national with new exploration at per day (bpd) in 1995 (explo- domestic gas and other uses and gas company Sonagas (25%), Corisco Island near the bor- ration began in the country in managed to significantly reduce and Mitsui and Marubeni der with Gabon. GABRIEL MBEGA OBIANG LIMA, 1992) to 435,000 bpd in 2010, Deputy Minister of Mines, Industry, and Energy contributing to an average economic growth of 30% per year. The country today produces more barrels of petroleum per capita than Saudi Arabia, and oil generates 85% of the country’s GDP and 95% of government revenues. The majority of this oil comes from three main fields: Ceiba, Zafiro and Alba – all of which are located offshore in the Gulf of Guinea. According to Oil and Gas Journal, Equatorial Guinea had proven oil reserves of 1.1 million barrels as of January 2011 (representing 4.3% of global reserves), and to date, the 17 companies operating in the sector have invested over $40 billion. Former Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy and current Minister of Finance and Budgets Marcelino Owono Edu comments: “With the entrance of the petroleum sector in the EG LNG is a consortium made up of Marathon Oil, Sonagas, Mitsui and Marubeni national economy, the economic trends of our country took on an- the flaring that was being pro- (with 8.5 and 6.5% respective- other dimension. Today, petro- duced while adding value to our ly), EG LNG manages one of leum is the most important economy. Today, we are signif- the most advanced gas pro- sector in the entire economy, icant LNG producers and we cessing facilities in the world, and consequently, the engine of export methanol to various with capacity for processing economic and social develop- countries around the world. We 650 million cubic feet per day ment in our country.” are also planning new industri- – the majority of which is ob- Natural gas is also beginning al projects in petrochemicals tained at the country’s Alba to represent a sizeable economic with the aim of converting Equa- field. The facility boasts the force in the country, nearly “equal torial Guinea into a global play- only suspension bridge in the to the petroleum sector,” adds er with respect to this natural global LNG industry. the Minister. While flaring was resource,” states Mr. Owono Edu. While the government has

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4 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Energy companies’ work clearly has a positive impact on the country

Marathon Oil, EG LNG and AMPCO have all worked to help reduce the prevalence of malaria, build schools, and train locals to become part of a skilled workforce

With a wealth of natural re- Along with health-related sources, most notably oil and programs, these companies gas, Equatorial Guinea is an at- have been working for years tractive country for foreign en- to develop a skilled workforce ergy corporations. However, from the native population. the arrival of international com- The three companies employ panies can represent a threat to approximately 1,700 workers, resources, the environment and two-thirds of which are Equa- the local population if proper torial Guinea nationals. Such care is not taken. Some inter- workers cannot simply be national companies distinguish hired off the street – they themselves by their ability to need to undergo years of integrate with the community, training to be able to work in and help improve conditions the oil business. AMPCO, for in the country. one, not only builds schools Marathon Oil, Equatorial and donates books and com- Guinea LNG (EG LNG) and puters, but also integrates the Atlantic Methanol Production Equatoguineans into its com- Company (AMPCO) are three pany through rigorous train- linked corporations currently ing programs, often held working in Equatorial Guinea abroad. According to Pedro that exemplify corporate re- Arasa, Resident Manager at sponsibility and involvement AMPCO, the company has through impressive contribu- 454 national employees, 104 tions to this African nation. of whom have completed American-based indepen- their technical training pro- dent energy company gram. Of these, 83 received Marathon Oil started work in their specialized training Equatorial Guinea in 2002, overseas. with a 63% interest in the Al- EG LNG expands this edu- ba gas condensate field. cational commitment to its Marathon Oil is the major own national workforce by al- shareholder in EG LNG, which so sponsoring training for nurs- currently can process 650 miles and healthcare providers. lion standard cubic feet of gas “Investing in Equatorial from Alba per day. “I think we have a responsi- water to various areas year distribution, medical testing Guinea’s human capital is prob- Meanwhile, another bility to do things in a manner round. That may seem like a and treatment and an educa- ably the place that we can have Marathon Oil affiliate, AMP- that promotes the country’s small thing but it really makes tional campaign to help inform the longest-lasting effect,” ex- CO, operates one of the largest willingness to have us here,” a big difference.” people about malaria preven- plains Mr. Wheeler. methanol plants in the world, says Bill Wheeler, Managing While EG LNG has become tion and treatment. While being economically with the capacity to produce Director of EG LNG. “We try well known for its involvement “The impact we have had successful in Equatorial Guinea more than 1 million metric to interact with the local econ- with water, Marathon Oil has on child mortality is truly is imperative for these com- tons of methanol per year. omy in such a way that is pos- been dedicated to the eradica- amazing,” says Cathy Krajicek, panies, multi-million dollar Since 2001, AMPCO has itive for them.” tion of malaria on Bioko Island Marathon Oil’s Resident CSR programs are much more produced chemical-grade EG LNG engages in several since 2003. Marathon Oil and “INVESTING IN Manager, explaining that the than PR exercises – they can methanol from the natural gas CSR-related projects that in- some of its business partners, EQUATORIAL prevalence of malaria infec- have a genuinely positive im- found onshore Bioko Island, clude sponsoring training, sup- including AMPCO, joined the GUINEA’S HUMAN tion declined 55% since the pact on the country and its selling most of it in the Unit- plying schools with materials, local government and an NGO CAPITAL IS PROBABLY start of the BIMCP. population. ed States and Europe. and drilling water wells. to initiate the Bioko Island THE PLACE THAT WE “Childhood mortality has “This is a place where you These companies not only “CSR is something that we Malaria Control Program CAN HAVE THE been reduced by 64% for all- can actually make real change work side by side in producing are really proud of,” explains (BIMCP), spending $16 million LONGEST-LASTING cause, under age five mortal- happen,” says Ms. Krajicek. energy throughout Equatorial Mr. Wheeler. “EG LNG has between 2004-2008. The BIM- EFFECT.” ity for years 2004 through “You actually change the coun- Guinea, but also participate gotten a reputation for being CP initiative includes indoor 2008. These are truly things try… I really believe that we heavily in corporate social re- the water company. We drill a residual spraying for every is- BILL WHEELER, that make a difference to the will leave this place better than sponsibility (CSR) programs. lot of water wells and haul the land household, mosquito-net Managing Director of EG LNG country and to people’s lives.” we found it.” LNG train on Wealth created Methanol for the fast track in the long run the whole world Home to an enormous gas field, Equatorial Guinea has The country and its people have benefitted from Equatorial Guinea’s sole methanol plant produces facilitated one of the world’s fastest LNG train projects Marathon Oil’s success 2% of the world’s supply

Equatorial Guinea LNG, or EG Houston-based international energy company Marathon Oil first The discovery of the Alba field off of Bioko Island in the ear- LNG, is a $1.4 billion gas pro- “ONE OF THE entered oil-rich Equatorial Guinea in 2002 with the acquisition ly 1980s altered the course of Equatorial Guinea’s economy ject designed to monetize the REASONS THE of a 63% working interest in the Alba field. Discovered in 1983 for years to come. Subsequent findings of other crude oil, nat- gas reserves of the Alba gas and PROJECT WAS though not productive until 1991, Alba is a gas condensate field ural gas and condensate-rich fields nearby have created greater condensate field, located some COMPLETED SO with total reserves in excess of 5 trillion cubic feet. opportunities for wealth generation and a better standard of 20 miles northwest of Equato- QUICKLY WAS Over the past decade, Marathon Oil has played witness to living for the country. Global oil majors teamed up with the rial Guinea’s Bioko Island. EG BECAUSE OF THE Equatorial Guinea’s rapid development and has seen how hy- government to develop the resources responsibly. LNG is a partnership compa- ALIGNMENT drocarbons have helped spur growth. “We’ve seen tremen- A joint venture between Marathon Oil, Noble Energy and ny comprising Marathon Oil, BETWEEN THE dous change in the country, much due to technology and Equatorial Guinea’s national gas company, SONAGAS, Atlantic SONAGAS, Mitsui and GOVERNMENT national content development that has been facilitated to a Methanol Production Company (AMPCO) began processing Marubeni, which hold inter- AND THE large degree by the oil industry,” a portion of the natural gas produced from the offshore Alba ests of 60%, 25%, 8.5% and 6.5%, COMPANIES.” says Catherine Krajicek, Resi- field into methanol in 2001. respectively. dent Manager of Marathon Oil. “WE’VE SEEN Today, the company produces more than 1 million metric The project began to take A key player in the industry, TREMENDOUS tons of methanol per year, representing 2% of global produc- WILLIAM WHEELER, CHANGE IN THE shape in early 2002, when Managing Director of EG LNG Marathon Oil has played a cen- tion, which is exported mainly to Europe (60%) and the U.S. Marathon Oil acquired a ma- tral role in the country’s devel- COUNTRY, MUCH (40%). jority share in Alba and identi- opment as a whole: the company DUE TO THE Methanol is a highly versatile chemical with a wide variety fied LNG as a key method to monetize the field’s gas. Work has initiated and taken part in TECHNOLOGY AND of uses. “Methanol and its derivatives are present everywhere then commenced on designing and building the EG LNG Train numerous social responsibility NATIONAL in our lives,” says Pedro Arasa, Resident Mmanager at AMP- 1, which delivered its first LNG cargo on May 24, 2007, thus initiatives to address critical CONTENT CO. “For example, it’s used in the DEVELOPMENT making is one of the world’s fastest LNG projects. health, social, education and oth- manufacture of plywood, poly- “WE HAVE A EG LNG’s plant at Punta Europa has berthing for tankers er issues, and has provided ed- THAT HAS BEEN ester fibers, plastics, TV and 3 3 FACILITATED TO A FACILITY THAT of up to 160,000m of capacity, as well as two 136,000m in- ucation and training to enable computer LCD monitors, PRODUCES MORE sulated storage tanks. Some 650 million cubic feet per day of the local workforce to partici- LARGE DEGREE BY paints, adhesives and many oth- THE OIL INDUSTRY.” THAN 1 MILLION gas are supplied from Alba. pate in what is Equatorial er items we use every day.” METRIC TONS PER Bill Wheeler, Managing Director of EG LNG, explains how the Guinea’s most profitable sector. While AMPCO can lay claim CATHERINE KRAJICEK, YEAR – OR 3,000 project owes a good deal of its success to the local authorities and Indeed, Marathon Oil employs to ranking among the world’s TONS PER DAY – work force: “Since the project came online in 2007, we have been over 670 Equatoguineans. Resident Manager of largest and lowest cost Marathon Oil OF METHANOL, very, very pleased with several things. We’ve ended up with a fa- Equatorial Guinea is impor- methanol producers, it also WHICH SERVES AS cility that is very reliable and safe. We’ve been able to work with tant for Marathon Oil (26% of its stands as one of Equatorial ONE OF THE KEY the local community and hire local individuals, and spend a lot international liquid hydrocarbon sales and 82% of its interna- Guinea’s most significant con- WAYS WE ARE of time and effort in training those individuals. tional gas sales come from here), and consequently, the com- tributors to socioeconomic de- ABLE TO “We are excited about the opportunity to be here. The gov- pany works hard to maintain its strong working relationship velopment. The company COMMERCIALIZE ernment, especially with our project, was very co-operative. One with the government. “We work very hard to have close work- employs more than 450 local THESE IMPORTANT of the reasons the project was ing relationships with the Min- workers and its strategic inte- GAS RESOURCES.” completed so quickly was be- istry of Mines, Industries and gration plan provides them with cause of the alignment be- Energy, GEPetrol and SON- technical training both domes- PEDRO ARASA, tween the government and AGAS. In our day-to-day tically and overseas in the U.K. Resident Manager at AMPCO the companies.” operations, they are con- and Trinidad. sulted in every major deci- Moreover, AMPCO uses sion,” says Ms. Krajicek. Equatoguinean vendors and suppliers whenever possible in the industrial downstream sector.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 5 Transforming gas West Africa’s one-stop reserves into capital oil logistics base Punta Europa Gas The deep waters of Luba Freeport provide the perfect location for a shipping hub Complex holds great potential to expand into a Operational since 2002, Luba erator stake. The deepwater port freight vessels, a logistics cen- regional gas hub Freeport Limited (LFL) is lo- fully satisfies the requirements ter with storage areas, and re- cated in a deep-water bay on of Equatorial Guinea’s oil in- pair and maintenance yards. Aware of its enormous poten- Bioko Island’s southern coast. dustry and enjoys full govern- Operating as an autonomous tial, particularly in the gas sec- Its strategically sheltered geo- ment support. Clear evidence of duty-free zone, LFL boasts its tor, Equatorial Guinea is rapidly graphical location in the Gulf the latter is the 25-year opera- own fuel storage area, bunker- expanding its business inter- of Guinea makes it the perfect tor concession for Freeport ing services and a 24-hour cus- ests in the Atlantic Basin by one-stop logistics hub to serve granted by the government and toms service under a secure skillfully turning its gas re- Equatorial Guinea’s admissions regimen. serves, once viewed as value- rapidly expanding oil Moreover, vessels less stranded gas, into a new and gas industry and with 16-meter drafts and prolific source of income act as a distribution can access its deep- for the nation. Punta Europa Gas Complex is located in the northern part of Bioko Island center to the entire water jetty, the load- The world-class Punta Eu- West African region. ing dolphin has a ropa Gas Complex is an ex- flared associated natural gas, it duction Company (AMPCO), The unique posi- water depth of 12 emplary development that not has now become a major con- an important global methanol tioning of Luba’s meters and the port only illustrates the economic densate field capable of pro- processor and which accounts Freeport is not the on- has unrestricted benefits of exploiting the ducing over an estimated 400 for 2% of the world supply of ly reason increasing maritime access at all country’s domestic gas for million barrels of oil equiva- this product. numbers of service tide levels. Addi- commercial use but also lent. Today it is operated by Other volumes of residue firms are establishing tional facilities in- demonstrates its potential to Marathon E.G. Production are delivered to the Equator- themselves in the clude a helicopter become a regional gas hub. Limited (MEPGL), subsidiary ial Guinea LNG Train 1 S.A. base; valuable addi- landing pad and The Alba field, the third of the globally renowned (EG LNG) production facili- tional benefits include good road access to largest field in the country and Marathon Oil Corporation. ty – the fastest ever built and an extensive port infrastructure Luba Freeport includes a port, a Malabo and to other parts of located at the heart of the in- MEPGL also provides man- with an exceptional safety per- together with exemption from logistics center and repair yards the island. tegrated complex, is the main agement for the government- formance – to allow for more an array of customs duties and With clients as important gas production source for owned Turbo Gas Power effective delivery and com- corporate taxes. the extension of tax exemption and reputable as Exxon Mo- methanol and liquefied nat- Generation plant on the island. mercialization of the Alba Managed since 2006 by U.K. to client companies that set up bil, Marathon Oil, Schlum- ural gas (LNG). With an av- To fully monetize its offshore field’s natural gas. With a cur- based investment conglomerate operation within Luba. berger, Noble Energy, Baker erage daily output of 222,000 resources, and further reduce rent annual capacity of 3.7 Lonrho Plc., Luba Freeport is a LFL’s facilities, unparalleled in Hughes and SBM Offshore, barrels of oil equivalent, it is environmental impacts, some million tons of LNG, plans joint venture between Equato- the entire region, spread over LFL has become a world-class the main source of feedstock of the gas residues produced at are underway to begin the rial Guinea’s national oil com- 500,000 square meters and in- reference for companies seek- for the complex. the Alba field are transferred construction of a second train pany, GEPetrol, and Lonrho clude a world-class port, dock- ing a full-services oil logistics Though Alba historically to the Atlantic Methanol Pro- by 2016. itself, which possesses a 63% oping facilities capable of berthing base in the region. Noble Energy’s success in E.G. isn’t just a matter of luck The oil company with the most longstanding presence in “THERE HAS BEEN Not only is Noble Energy Equatorial Guinea is also the one with the highest success QUITE A LOT OF rate. Experts in oil and gas exploration and production, renowned for its nearly un- EXPLORATION canny ability to discover fruit- Noble Energy has invested wisely, generated returns for its ACTIVITY IN E.G., stakeholders, and demonstrated to the Equatorial Guinean ful fields, it also enjoys one of BUT OTHER THAN the best safety records in the government its ability to operate safely and responsibly NOBLE ENERGY, while at the same time creating value for the people industry. And with an eye to- LITTLE RECENT ward bringing enhanced op- Noble Energy first entered the our considerable experience ex- SUCCESS.” erational safety to the entire West African nation in 1990 ploring and operating in this offshore oil and gas industry, when it took a 34% working in- area. And those are the keys to “USING OUR the company recently took a terest in the Alba field, a pro- unlocking the hydrocarbon po- CALLING CARD OF closer look at where safety lific gas condensate reservoir tential that lies within.” SUCCESS WE HOPE could be advanced through the north of Bioko Island. Today, The U.S.-based company has WE’RE ABLE TO use of innovation and new Noble Energy also operates operations throughout the EXPAND OUR technology. under production sharing con- world, and Mr. Paces says that FOOTPRINT IN E.G. “After the BP Macondo in- tracts for Block O and Block the Equatoguinean government AND POSSIBLY PICK cident in the Gulf of Mexico, I, and has great success in the has been supportive of the safe UP SOME we took a serious look at how Aseng oil and gas field and the development of its oil and gas ADDITIONAL our engineers designed our Alen gas and condensate field, resources, particularly when op- EXPLORATION wells and how we drilled among others. erators pair that development BLOCKS.” them,” explains Mr. Paces. “There has been quite a lot of with commitments to help the RICH PACES “Although we were safely exploration activity in E.G., but government achieve its goals of Vice President of Noble and effectively designing and other than Noble Energy, very bringing meaningful econom- Energy E.G. Ltd. conducting our drilling op- few operators have had any re- ic and social growth to Equato- erations, we decided to add cent success,” says Rich Paces, rial Guinea – such as has been people of Equatorial GuineaAnd months ahead of schedule and uled to be appraised later this additional design processes, Vice President of Noble Ener- the case with Noble Energy. as a result of that, the govern- 13% under budget and that is year, and the company has no pressure barriers and test- gy E.G. Ltd. “So we feel proud “The Minister of Mines, In- ment works to ensure that ap- currently producing at 60,000 plans of stopping there. ing. This wasn’t just to fur- of our achievements here: 11 dustry and Energy works with provals are both comprehensive barrels of oil per day (bpd). Ad- “By building on our suc- ther ensure safety, but to out of 12 exploration and ap- the industry to not only ensure and timely,” says Mr. Paces. ditionally, the Alen field, ex- cesses here, we're hopeful that identify safety advancements praisal wells found hydrocar- that operational best practices Noble Energy's successes in pected to come online in 2013, we can expand our presence in – in the area of containment bons. Our knowledge of the are adopted, but to see that re- the country include the Aseng will contribute an additional E.G. and possibly pick up some and response plans, for ex- Douala Basin and its potential source development also means field, which the company im- 37,000 bpd. The recently dis- additional exploration blocks,” ample – that the industry as has made a difference, as has positive development for the pressively delivered seven covered Carla field is sched- says the VP. a whole could benefit from.”

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6 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Infrastructure sets the foundation for sustainable development

Developing basic public and private facilities is key for the transformation of Equatorial Guinea's natural resources rich emerging economy into a leading African example of economic diversification

In recent years economic growth, boosted by fossil fuel production, has transformed The 2020 Economic and Social Development Equatorial Guinea into one of Plan envisions the creation of whole new cities the richest countries in Africa. A significant share of the revenues from oil and gas production is currently being invested by the government in the creation of infrastructures vital to the country’s advancement. As a result, the infrastructure sector is expected to grow by over 3.2% in 2012 alone. A dramatic transformation of the country’s economic and physical landscape is under way. The 2020 Economic and Social Development Plan is the government’s road map to creating a modern, diversified economy that can attract foreign investors, focusing not only on the existing primary sector, but also on developing sectors like electricity, tourism, opment. This is why, for exam- regional hub for ships traveling lieve that this is true. We need mand for basic construction light industry, banking, or the THE GOVERNMENT ple, the government places such to and from South Africa, South only look at the investment materials and manpower is service industries. IS PLACING A strong emphasis on opening America, and Europe. and construction that is taking high, and cannot be met local- The Plan includes over 1,500 STRONG both the mainland and the is- The port of Luba has become place here.” ly. Therefore, Equatorial Guinea infrastructure projects, in- EMPHASIS ON lands to international trade and a major transportation hub for The government has invest- is seeking international part- cluding the creation of whole OPENING BOTH tourism. Transport is key, and offshore oil and gas companies ed heavily in roads and high- ners to help provide both in- cities like Djibloho, the coun- THE MAINLAND the government has already in- operating in the Gulf of Guinea. ways. All of them require dustrial expertise and qualified try’s new capital in the Wele- AND THE ISLANDS vested in the creation of new According to the Ministry, all lighting, signalling and main- workers. It is important for for- Nzas province, the recently TO airports in Malabo, Bata and facilities the government cre- tenance – contracts which have eign countries to take into con- inaugurated tourist coastal INTERNATIONAL Annobon Island. The most sym- ates – both public and private drawn the interest of Chinese, sideration the entrance costs, zone of Sipopo or the cities of TRADE AND bolic project is Corisco Island’s – are for the people of Equato- French and Lebanese compa- and the fact that there are com- Malabo 2 and Malabo 3. There TOURISM airport: its 3,000-meter runway rial Guinea, and the airport and nies, though there is still a whole panies with a long track record are also ambitious engineer- is particularly impressive. the port in Annabon are excel- host of contracts to be won. in the country, such as Somagec ing projects under way, like the But the Atlantic seaports are lent examples of this. There are also many oppor- or Bouygues. Djibloho hydroelectric plant THE PORT OF LUBA what attract most attention Ports chief Alberto Ndong tunities for architectural Most homes and businesses on the Wele River, and stadi- HAS BECOME A from companies worldwide. Obiang Lima considers that all studios and construction com- still have no access to running ums and hotels inaugurated MAJOR Equatorial Guinea has two of these projects will guarantee panies, in both the public and water, electricity or sewage and during this year’s Africa Cup TRANSPORTATION the deepest Atlantic seaports that Equatorial Guinea will be- private sector. Apartments, garbage disposal systems, so of Nations that Equatorial HUB FOR of the region, including the come a key player in the ship- government buildings, social there is still a raft of business op- Guinea co-hosted with Gabon. OFFSHORE OIL main business and commercial ping and import-export housing, hotels, office build- portunities to be had in the According to the Ministry of AND GAS port city of Bata. The ever-in- sectors, a guarantee that the ings, factories and entire new midst of this unprecedented Public Works and Infrastruc- COMPANIES creasing level of activity has economy will remain strong cities are being created in ar- construction boom in Central ture, Equatorial Guinea aims to OPERATING IN THE meant that both Bata and Mal- and continue to grow, even as eas newly destined for urban Africa’s richest country. And become an emerging economy, GULF OF GUINEA abo have been severely overex- the nation’s oil reserves be- or tourism development. Both many more are yet to come as a goal that presents a constant tended and are undergoing come less significant. And he Malabo 2 and Malabo 3 are be- the government consolidates challenge. Therefore, everything major reconstruction and ex- adds, “Many foreigners say that ing sculpted from the jungle. its vision of creating a modern the Ministry undertakes is tar- pansion as a result, with Mal- Equatorial Guinea is becoming Due to the sheer amount of and dynamic country ready to geted at favoring rapid devel- abo set to become a maritime Central Africa’s Dubai. I be- construction underway, the de- embrace its future.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 7 Building strength Training future leaders, Somagec has become the single largest private employer in Equatorial Guinea and is building some of the most important infrastructure in the country

The largest non-oil company nobon and Cogo, as well as “DURING THE close to $400 million in Equa- in Equatorial Guinea is also constructing airports, roads, PAST FEW torial Guinea since its arrival part of one of the biggest en- and social projects nationwide. YEARS, THE seven years ago and it has no gineering and construction “We are living in a new era,” COUNTRY plans to leave. Having con- companies in North Africa. says Jean Charles Hayoz, Man- HAS BEEN structed more than 80% of the Founded in Morocco in 1962, aging Director of Somagec GE. UNDERGOING country’s ports, it is increas- Somagec is now firmly estab- “During the past few years, the A REVOLUTION ingly becoming involved in en- lished across the Maghreb re- country has been undergoing IN THE hancing the nation’s tourism gion as a leading engineering a revolution in the infrastruc- INFRASTRUCTURE infrastructure. contractor. The company first SECTOR. AND The company is behind var- entered Equatorial Guinea in WHAT IS MOST ious new tourism and leisure- 2005 and since then it has been REMARKABLE based projects in Equatorial responsible for building IS THAT IT IS Guinea, such as the construc- some of the most im- HAPPENING ALL tion of a three-mile maritime portant engineering OVER THE boulevard in Malabo. It has projects in the coun- COUNTRY.” also built a new port terminal try. and seaside boulevard in the Somagec “OUR city of Kogo. Guinea Ecua- PHILOSOPHY IN In addition, the government torial special- SOMAGEC IS TO has made the development of izes in ALWAYS WORK tourism in Corisco one of its marine con- FOR THE targets and Somagec GE has struction FUTURE.” boosted the island’s infra- and civil en- structure with a modern in- gineering de- “ANY TIME WE ternational airport and a new velopments. It GO INTO A hotel. has restored NEW REGION, With a workforce of 5,000 and transformed WE BUILD A employees, including more the seaports at SCHOOL AND A than 3,600 Equatoguineans, Malabo, Corisco, CLINIC FOR Somagec GE is the country’s Bata, An- LOCAL PEOPLE.” largest private employer. It is committed to not only making a difference physically in JEAN CHARLES HAYOZ, Equatorial Guinea, but also Managing Director of socially, by building up local Somagec Guinea skill sets and talent. Ecuatorial “We have internal training programs that teach IT by means of small courses,” says Mr. Hayoz. “Somagec’s employees are well-paid and we have a private social security scheme that reimburses our employees 100% in case of hos- ture sector. pitalization or medical ex- And what is penses incurred. We even have most re- insurance that covers hospi- markable is talization in Cameroon if need that it is hap- be. Furthermore, any time we pening all go into a new region, we build over the a school and a clinic for local country, not people.” only in the The company is proud to be capital. Our one of the major players in the philosophy in economic dynamism cur- Somagec is to rently gaining momentum in always work North Africa, and to be con- for the future.” tributing to the construction Estimates of a modern Equatorial Guinea Examples of projects carried out by Somagec include a seaport and airport suggest Somagec by supporting its growth and landing strip on the island of Annobon, shown in the upper three photos, and GE has invested human capital. the modern international airport on the island of Corisco Life-changing and Transferrable Driving future Top quality rewarding skills in demand development leadership How long have you been working at So- In terms of training, since coming to work for What are the relationships at work like and What health cover is provided by So- magec? What job did you start doing at the Somagec, what kind of training have you re- how are different departments coordinated magec? Are social security benefits re- company and what do you do now? ceived to help you to work better? to achieve the same goal? spected? I am currently in charge of local personnel I started working at Somagec as an electri- Where I work, in the tranportation sec- From my point of view, which is shared at Somagec. I started at the company as a la- cian, and training has been gradual. For ex- tion, I am a truck driver and everyone is by my colleagues, I would say the social borer about five years ago, but through the ef- ample, we use Liebherr-branded machines equal. I would say that the coordination of security situation here is normal; all laws forts I have made and my bosses having seen and any repairs or maintenance needed dur- our work is good and we have a great rap- are complied with as expected. Personally, how hard I work, my dedication has been ap- ing their guarantee period after their purchase port. We all work the same hours. Everyone I have not had any need of health benefits preciated and I am now at a level where the are initially taken care of by Liebherr’s special- is paid the same and all the hours are paid as because so far I have not had any serious whole company ist technicians. stipulated by the health problems, knows me. I have While they are company; nobody but if I do I think even been to Mo- here, we learn from can complain that the company rocco on vacation them as to how to they have been would help me as as a reward for be- maintain and repair paid fewer hours. they have helped ing named So- the machinery so other people. magec’s best that once the war- Which of So- There are many employee. I am ranties run out, we magec’s projects is colleagues who very happy with my know how to look the most impor- have been seri- salary and the work after the machines tant or gives you ously injured and I do. ourselves. the most pride? have been taken I am proud and abroad to be Somagec is among What does So- grateful for all the treated. In light the top companies magec mean to effort being made of this, I believe that have the best BENJAMIN NGUEMA BAYEME, you? REMIGIO BEÑA BOTURU, here at Somagec GENARO MOTU ATEBA, Somagec has all JUAN ANDRES ASAMA IVINA, renumeration Head of Local Personnel I will always be Head of Electrical Machinery for the future of Driver at Somagec of its social secu- Assistant Director and packages for their grateful to So- Equatorial Guinea. rity obligations Head of As-tech employees. To what extent has your quality of magec for everything I have learned and be- We are setting good examples to our chil- covered. life improved since working there? cause it has changed my life. Thanks to this dren as to how to be ‘contributors’ to the I am very proud that after I finished my company, today people not only know me company and to our country. I am delighted What are your aspirations within the com- studies, Somagec was the first company I here, but also in other companies where they with all of our projects because they are all pany? How far would you like to go? worked for and I have since changed a lot. For send me to lend a hand. for the development of our country. When a I aspire to develop my career, to be me, the home forms the fundamental founda- Somagec is a good company to work for. country is evolving thanks to its infrastruc- able to learn and become more knowl- tion in a person’s life. When I started here I When you work here, you have a future. Ob- ture, I think is much better than for it to be edgeable. We all have to aspire to do had nothing, but now I have a plot of land viously Somagec wants to preserve its good because of anything else. I rate all of So- more to improve. I would go for any where I have built a home with my wife and name, so it relies on good workers, recogniz- magec’s developments highly. If I had to post that would stretch me further, family, and it forms an essential base in my life. ing and rewarding people’s efforts. If you choose a favorite, I would pick the port of from CEO of Somagec to CEO of the All we ask of the company or the govern- work hard, you can do well here. Malabo – it is phenomenal. quarry or head of maintenance and so ment is that they keep going in the same di- on. If any of these positions were of- rection and that they manage competent fered to me I would be delighted, as companies which can help in the develop- they would give me the chance to be ment of whole families. part of inspiring future generations I am very happy with Somagec, with my who would look at my progress and ca- salary. I started here as a laborer but now with reer development and be encouraged to the help of the company I am recognized with aspire to do the same. a good salary with which I am delighted. What qualities to you see in the leader- With regard to health and safety, what mea- ship at Somagec? sures does Somagec take to reduce risk and In my opinion they are great bosses be- protect its workers? cause they work and manage well, and Somagec carries out regular safety checks when I see them in reports on TV they and hands out materials and helmets every come across really well and portray a six months. We have officers who ensure safe- great image of themselves and the compa- ty standards. At 6 o’clock, after cleaning up, ny. Also, they are very approachable and everyone sits comfortably on the bus and personable, with the attitude of “although goes directly home. Compared to other com- I may be the boss, I am also human”. panies, where I have seen many workers My bosses in general have all been standing in trucks and have nowhere to sit, good, from the first to the most recent, we have normal transportation, which is one working hard to push the company for- benefit of the company. Somagec employs over 5,000 people, with more than 3,600 being Equatoguineans ward, which is a good thing.

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8 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Sogea-Satom is driving infrastructure development Sogea-Satom is a leader of Equatorial Guinea’s construction sector. With rigorous professional standards and a reputation for responsibility, it owns the roads

Sogea Satom has been present in Africa for 70 years, in 25 countries. Part of French construction giant VINCI, the Sogea-Satom has repaired more than 3,000 miles of company operates four busi- damaged roadways and has built over 6,000 miles ness sectors (roads and earth- of bitumen-surfaced roads works, hydraulic engineering, civil engineering, and building), employing 10,000 people of 23 nationailities. It is the oldest, biggest company of its category in Equatorial Guinea (EG). Known for their re- sponsive organisational structure, the company adapts both physical and human resources to meet project expecations. Sogea-Satom’s main client in Equatorial Guinea is the government. Road construction serves a vision of building the country – with a focus on quality and efficiency. Short decision-making processes set the company apart from the competition, allowing them to anticipate market changes. For 10 years, tween EG’s administration rectors. When he articulates of modern high-performance cal schools with provisions, EG's economic development and corporate contractors. leadership style, he speaks of machines, satellite navigation and among the community has been exponential. Says “WE APPLY THE “The country is being built a partnership with Equatori- systems, lorries, digging the company promotes hy- President Obiang, “The trans- EXPERIENCE WE very rapidly,” says General Di- al Guinea itself: a network of equipment, grading ma- giene and disease prevention formation of Equatorial HAVE AND UTILIZE rector Frank Casteleyn, “and trust relating to the workers chines, concrete plants, coat- and provides regular medical Guinea can be appreciated in THE SYSTEMS WE it has to be done properly.” and the local authorities. It is ing units, crushing units, etc. care. Employees themselves the infrastructure –roads, KNOW TO He marvels at EG's amazing a business culture of person- In short, Sogea-Satom com- are encouraged to organize ports, airports, admin build- ESTABLISH GOOD potential “to build the coun- al responsibility, based on prises an incomparable work- long-term social solidarity ings – which has a direct ef- STANDARDS FOR try in 10 years.” Every day new trust and commitment. force of road builders. initiatives. fect on the morale of the THE COUNTRY’S projects are starting. Every “This trust is like nothing The company's sustainable As the largest road infra- population.” DEVELOPMENT.” day new projects are com- that I have ever seen. You have development policy enacts a structure company in Equa- Equatorial Guinea has a pleted as planned. Sogea- to respect it. You have to de- series of tangible social and torial Guinea, Sogea-Satom strategic plan; Sogea-Satom Satom’s online newsletter, serve it. You do everything in environmental actions, car- works with the government will build it. They’ve put up “SOGEA-SATOM Contact Afrique, carries the your power to do things well. ried out as close to the ground and local communities to roads in villages where there HAS A THRESHOLD latest project news. EG’s en- This is the sort of sentiment as possible – from environ- build the roads of a fast-de- were none. They’ve con- OF EXPERIENCE tire road network is set to be that we have throughout the mental protection and impact veloping nation. structed national highways AND EQUIPMENT perfectly laid out and refur- company,” says Mr. Casteleyn. limits, to employee and com- They work with roadways through previously impassable AT ITS DISPOSAL. bished in five years’ time.” Sogea-Satom’s investment munity safety, to combating to raise the standard of liv- terrain. The company as a THERE IS ALSO THE Mr. Casteleyn is at the fore- in its workers is significant. disease. Used oil is recycled as ing. General Director Caste- whole has repaired over 3,000 UTILIZATION OF front of the industry. His Technical training programs fuel. Driving courses are en- leyn hails Equatorial Guinea miles of damaged roadways LOCAL SKILLS.” greatest motivation? Local ac- on operating machinery, ergy efficient. Trees are cut as a model of rapid develop- and built over 6,000 miles of bi- tion. Mr. Casteleyn speaks of proper surveying, trade re- sparingly if at all. Water sys- ment, saying that the country tumen-surfaced roads across FRANK CASTELEYN, Sogea-Satom’s essentially quirements, and self-suffi- tems are not compromised. “has a lot to offer and people the continent. General Director of Sogea Satom “African spirit”, attributing the ciency in the field include a Equipment is well-main- should really keep a close eye Where before there were company’s longevity and suc- series of classroom lectures tained, worker safety ensured, on it. Those who come here no clear criteria for the fren- cess to its localised structure, visualization simulators, and and road safety programs will see it for what it is – a zy of project proposals, now 90% Guinean workforce, and onsite trainings. These skilled taught in schools. true example of an African there is a unified effort be- expertise of managers and di- “earth movers” operate a fleet Sogea-Satom supplies lo- success story.”

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 9 Setraco brings its construction EG’s national expertise to Equatorial Guinea flagship The country is a leader in roads and bridges in the region and is currently constructing a prime neighborhood in Malabo construction After nearly 30 years devel- “Our competitive advantage city of Malabo, located on the programs to help further de- oping the infrastructure of is our experience, and we bring northern coast of the Island of velop skills needed to com- Nigeria, the Lebanese com- this through transfer of tech- Bioko. plete its projects. pany Setraco has extended its nology,” remarks Mr. Kfoury. “It is a privilege to be award- “We have experience in this company services to the African coastal The company’s presence be- ed such a project in a neigh- regard in Nigeria. There is a country of Equatorial Guinea. gan in 2004 after an agree- borhood that is planned to be transfer of knowledge be- Amaceea, a family Here it is continuing its tra- ment between Nigeria and a prime neighborhood, from tween the people who are giv- construction company dition of, as their mission Equatorial Guinea strength- what I can see. We are almost en the task and the people who with an international statement highlights: “antici- ened their links. 65% done,” explains Mr. are executing the task,” says focus, is committed to pating the aspirations of our Mr. Kfoury. “We hope to rely developing the country customers and responding more on local skills. We are se- creatively and competitively riously committed to that and Equatorial Guinea is fa- with modern designed con- we have training programs for mously known as Africa’s struction techniques and en- the locals.” petrol oasis, with the dis- gineering services, which raise The Managing Director puted black liquid the sole the quality of life.” adds that some workers are focus of the international in- Setraco did just this in Nige- even sent overseas on specif- vestors. Despite being la- ria, beginning with building ic missions such as training in beled one of the townships and district roads, special testing tools. Howev- fastest-growing economies, continuing its growth until it er, helping to develop the lo- the country has also faced became the second-largest cal workers is not the only corruption and human rights company in the country, hav- benefit Equatorial Guinea re- violation accusations, an im- ing a presence in over 20 states. ceives from Setraco EG. It al- age which entrepreneurs The corporation is a leader so has indirect benefits, such have tried to overcome. in bridges and roads in the re- as adding value to the land One such entrepreneur, gion; including a $100 million and the surrounding area Alejandro Envoro, founder road project in 2001 and in where the work is being done. of Amaceea S.A. alias “An- 2006 the largest civil con- Also, construction foments doga,” gives his view as a struction project in Nigeria, other components of the company owner in the prof- building an east-west highway. economy by buying machin- itable construction industry. Alejandro Envoro, President and The affiliate, Setraco Equa- ery and building material, such The government, his com- Managing Director of Amaceea S.A. torial Guinea (Setraco EG) as stones, locally. pany’s biggest client, com- moved to Equatorial Guinea This influx of local growth missions road construction venture that grew to a na- in 2004. The country is cur- in Equatorial Guinea has been and community building pro- tional level. rently going through a boom compared to the expansion of jects to improve the coun- Horizon 2020, a govern- in almost all sections of its other countries such as Singa- try’s infrastructure. ment investment scheme, is a economy, and Setraco EG is pore and Kuwait in the 1960’s. One of the biggest worries new opportunity for Amaceea contributing to the rapid in- In fact, the Delegate Minister for the country is that despite and Mr. Envoro hopes the frastructure growth through- of Mines has said he can see the its progress as a growing company will gain new pro- out the country, building country becoming the “Singa- economy, the technology and jects and new collaborations bridges, roads and a neigh- pore of Africa” or a regional knowledge necessary to sur- with the government. borhood. focal point for industrial and vive might be passing it by. In Petrol isn’t the sole attrac- “You can see new con- commercial activities. order to gain much needed tion for investors. “We have struction work in progress “WE HOPE TO RELY MORE ON LOCAL “Singapore is a kind of re- technical expertise, many en- had petrol from the begin- everywhere. You can feel that SKILLS. WE ARE SERIOUSLY COMMITTED gional hub and this country trepreneurs seek interna- ning of Equatorial Guinea and activity is really going on,” says TO THAT AND WE HAVE TRAINING has potential to be one as well. tional education and outside it had never been exploited,” PROGRAMS FOR THE LOCALS.” Nicolas Kfoury, Managing Di- All these investments and in- expertise, creating opportu- Mr. Envoro says. He points rector of Setraco EG, noting frastructure projects will help nities for all kinds of profes- out that the country has many the government’s well-orga- to create that,” says Mr. Kfoury, sionals around the world. other appeals: “We are all hap- nized planning with so many NICOLAS KFOURY, adding that from his exper- Mr. Envoro boasts of hav- py with [the investors] be- infrastructure programs hap- Managing Director of Setraco EG tise, the region is already ex- ing the country’s front-run- cause of the petrol activities pening at the same time. ploiting its growth potential. ning company: “We have that they are doing in Guinea. These projects form a part of “I was pleasantly surprised more than 100 of our own But they shouldn’t limit them- the government’s Horizon about the state of things here machines. We have more selves to the petrol sector,” he 2020 plan for further devel- Setraco’s current capital in- Kfoury, highlighting that 85% and it is a conducive area to than 100 trucks.” The com- explains, adding that his coun- opment in the country. vestment in Equatorial Guinea of the underground piping is operate in from what we can pany wasn’t always glam- try has other bourgeoning in- Just as Setraco has strived is $7 million which will be finished, leaving 15% to com- see. This place has potential orous; it started out as an dustries that will prove to make Nigeria a developed used for construction projects. plete before the seasonal rains to become a future hub.” ambitious grassroots family profitable to investors. nation, it aims to do so as well One of the company’s most arrive in the region. in Equatorial Guinea using the prominent projects is the Moreover, Setraco EG is technology and know-how ac- building of the Paradise neigh- committed to using as much quired during its many years borhood, planned to be a first- of the local workforce as pos- of practice. rate area in the nation’s capital sible, implementing training

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10 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY EG is enjoying record-breaking economic growth The African nation has a cal economy. The increasing booming oil industry and wealth of the country means is moving toward a The Sipopo Conference Center, in more credit is available to finance diversified economy, Malabo, boasts world-class facilities SMEs, with 76% coming from attracting foreign investors that clearly represent the country’s CCEI, which provides both the from countries such as the economic strength and stability funding and economic advice. United States The government is additionally fostering the development of local SMEs through an initiative Equatorial Guinea’s unprece- to create a fund that will act as dented economic boom and insurance for entrepreneurs in- expectations of future growth vesting in sustainable business. have given rise to a prospering Stimulating a diversified econ- banking industry and the de- omy is an important goal for velopment of a sustainable fi- Equatorial Guinea’s government, nancial sector. which recognizes the limitations Thanks in large part to hy- of the oil industry. Whereas be- drocarbon production, ongoing fore 1992, cocoa and wood were since 1992, this western African the leading exports in the coun- nation is forecasted to see a 6.3% try, the government also wants rise in its GDP this year with to emphasize developing its ser- continued growth until at least vice sector and sees potential in 2015. Moreover, Equatorial its budding tourism industry. Guinea currently exports four The United Nations has like- times as much as it imports. wise been supporting the gov- This new wealth is driving ernment by doing an analysis of the government to further de- the diversification and industri- velop the infrastructure of the alization of the economy in the country with its Horizon 2020 subsequent years. The Ministry initiative, aiming to further di- of Economy welcomes the ex- versify the economy and reduce pertise of the organization, ap- national poverty. This has re- preciating the knowledge they sulted in a boom in the con- provide regarding economic struction sector in Equatorial practices toward a more sus- Guinea with significant im- tainable economy. provements in infrastructure Additionally, due to Equator- seen as the base for the rest of sential for attracting possible for- the investment opportunities in country for foreign investors. ial Guinea’s strategic location the industries in the country. FDI HAS BEEN eign direct investment (FDI). the African nation. The gov- The country’s most popular along the Atlantic coast and an “Through the Horizon 2020 FACILITATED SINCE The United States is the cur- ernment hopes to attract long- bank, CCEI, offers resources for increase in modern infrastruc- plan, the government is one of EQUATORIAL rently the number one foreign in- term investors. easy and fast international trans- ture, the country has the poten- the principal economic engines, GUINEA JOINED vestor in Equatorial Guinea, Moreover, FDI has been fa- fers for investors. In fact, the tial to become a logistical hub because of the projects they are THE ECONOMIC especially within the hydrocar- cilitated because of Equatorial government, along with the for the region. promoting and the contracts COMMUNITY OF bon industry. While drilling be- Guinea’s admittance to the Eco- banks, has been an integral com- Furthermore, this African re- they are signing with both the na- CENTRAL AFRICAN gan in the Aseng field in late nomic Community of Central ponent of the development of gion itself holds potential for tional and intentional private STATES (ECCAS) 2011, newer fields such as the African States (ECCAS) in 1985, a more modern banking sys- trade among the Central African sector,” says Fernando Gomez IN 1985. Alen field are scheduled to start which allowed the country to tem, setting up a network of Economic and Monetary Com- Pastor, Managing Director of the production at the end of 2013. adopt the CFA franc, a con- ATMs and establishing the nec- munity (CEMAC) member National Bank of Equatorial EQUATORIAL With a strengthening rela- vertible currency, making for essary technology to use Visa countries, such as Cameroon Guinea (BANGE), one of the GUINEA’S tionship with the United States, an easier exchange to the euro and MasterCard instead of cash. and Chad, among others. The main banks in the country. GOVERNMENT, the government hopes that and dollar. The country’s financial estab- participant nations in CEMAC The development of infra- RECOGNIZING THE American companies will be- Additionally, Equatorial lishments are also currently set- enjoy free movement of capital structure has been central to LIMITATIONS OF gin to take an interest in other Guinea has some of the most ting up online banking. and share a common currency. these government projects, es- THE OIL INDUSTRY, developing sectors and partici- favorable investment regula- These improvements in the According to a study called pecially schools, hospitals, high- IS STIMULATING A pate in social projects. Other tions in the region for foreign banking sector aid the progress “Doing Business,” Equatorial ways and ports. According to DIVERSIFIED major world economies such as companies. However, the and establishment of small and Guinea is the country among the Ministry of Economy having ECONOMY. Russia and China are also in- government recognizes the medium-sized enterprises those in the CEMAC that has the these modern resources is es- creasingly taking advantage of need to improve access to the (SMEs), a driving force of the lo- best data. BANGE, the locally owned bank The National Bank of Equatorial Guinea, only six years old, is already succeeding in the local and international market

Although the National Bank established in 2006 by the er banks operating in the coun- sources compared to its com- of Equatorial Guinea (known Guinean government and a try are foreign owned, BANGE petitors, it has still been able to as BANGE, for the Spanish minority stakeholder, the is the first locall- owned bank participate in important pro- acronym) is one of the Philippines Bank of Com- to enter the market since 1985. jects. These projects are nu- youngest financial institutions merce, when the nearly $4 mil- According to the African De- merous throughout the in the country, it has quickly be- lion was allocated for the bank’s velopment Corporation, this country at the moment become a key option for in- creation. Despite the govern- financial institution is currently cause of the government’s vestors, offering them safety ment’s shares, BANGE is ac- valued at about $75 million. Horizon 2020 plan, targeting and stability and emphasizing tually a private bank. However, Fernando Gomez Pastor, a diverse and stable economy financing infrastructure and in 2008 the African Develop- Managing Director or as well as eliminating poverty. development in the country. ment Corporation took a 25% BANGE, explains that al- Mr. Gomez points out: BANGE, which operates re- stake in the bank. though the bank is only six “Within our limitations the tail and corporate banking, was Although many of the oth- years old and has limited re- bank, since the beginning and especially in the last two to three years, has participated in financing projects that have given it the opportunity to compete with the other main players in the financial market.” In fact, the total amount of loans allocated has reached $103 million and the bank deposits have grown to nearly $225 million. BANGE primarily finances infrastructure ventures as well as undertakings of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), striving to support economic growth in the country to further improve the quality of life. For Mr. Gomez, the banking sector is in a key position to continue to foment the devel- “THE BANK HAS PARTICIPATED IN opment of the country. FINANCING PROJECTS THAT HAVE “I think the banks need to GIVEN IT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE keep playing a fundamental WITH THE OTHER MAIN PLAYERS IN THE role in the process of industri- FINANCIAL MARKET.” alization and in the development of an alternative energy FERNANDO GOMEZ PASTOR, Managing Director of BANGE sector,” remarks Mr. Gomez. Although much of BANGE’s financing goes to support lo- eign investment,” he explains, Mr. Gomez sees a bright fu- cal businesses, it is also a safe adding that currently the ture for the country not only and stable option for foreign biggest foreign investor in on an international level, but investors. Since the oil boom Equatorial Guinea is the Unit- also for the nation’s youth. He in Equatorial Guinea there has ed States. “It’s a country that personally is committed to been an influx of internation- has a legal system that provides developing the future finan- al investments. Mr. Gomez ex- enough guarantees to foreign cial leaders in Equatorial plains that although the investors, offering them prof- Guinea, hoping to some day government has really been itable opportunities with re- open a financial academy or the engine of the economy, lit- spect to other markets.” a university. tle by little private investors, Furthermore, because of The Managing Director such as foreign companies Equatorial Guinea’s strategic notes that his personal mis- or international investors location on the western coast sion is to be a mentor for the are replacing it because of of Africa just south of next generation of financial the easily identifiable benefits Cameroon, and developing leaders in the country so that and profits. infrastructure, the country they can continue with its re- “This is an open country that has potential to become a lo- sponsible and prosperous de- doesn’t put limitations on for- gistics hub for the region. velopment.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 11 Excellence in service and product offering The BGFIBank Group is growing its reach in Africa and Europe. In Equatorial Guinea, the first non-francophone country it entered, the bank is pioneering new banking services

The resource-rich African con- prove thanks to a series of ini- group also has subsidiaries and tinent remains as one of the last tiatives, which include a re- branches in the Democratic Re- frontiers of exciting business newed focus on sales and public of Congo, Congo, Ivory opportunities. While some marketing, a new credit poli- Coast, Madagascar, Benin, countries are more developed cy, and an increasingly innov- Cameroon, and Sao Tome and than others, and some have in ative selection of products such Principe. This is just the be- fact a sophisticated corporate as BGFI Online for remote ginning, however, as the group’s environment, there continue banking; Carte Salaire for se- goal is to have a presence in at to be some nations whose cure salary payments; Credit least 18 countries by 2015, con- economies are just now hatch- Flash, a line of credit that cus- verting it into a leading African ing. Equatorial Guinea is one tomers can access within 72 financial group. It currently has such state. Visitors here can vir- hours; and Credit Rentrée Sco- its sights set on English speak- tually see the growth taking laire, a special back-to-school ing countries of Ghana, Ugan- place both physically in terms loan. BGFIBank E.G. also da, Kenya, and Zambia. “We of infrastructure and housing, marked its territory in the na- are also considering South Su- for example, and industrially in tional banking sector when it dan,” says Mr. Mounguengui. terms of business, commerce became the first to introduce Already, BGFI has proven its and trade. electronic tellers. worth when it was granted ISO As a relatively young coun- A 2010 partnership with 9001:2008 and ISO 14001 cer- try, at least as far as business is Western Union allowed BGFI tification, becoming the first concerned, Equatorial Guinea to even further expand its ATM bank in Africa to do so. Mr. has a rather small banking and network in the country. Mounguengui says that the finance sector. One of the banks A decision to segment ser- bank’s focus on achieving ex- present, ranked third in size vices was yet another suc- cellence in customer service and market share, is BGFIBank cessful scheme the bank not only brings international Equatorial Guinea. undertook to advance its po- acknowledgement, it is also es- A subsidiary of the Gabon- sition in the country and bet- sential for elevating professional based BGFIBank Group, ter serve its customers. standards in banking. BGFIBank E.G. opened its local “The bank in Equatorial Another testament to the headquarters in Malabo in June Guinea had seen difficult group’s commitment to pro- 2001. This was the first time the times, which led us to review viding top-notch customer ser- multinational financial group the position of the bank a lit- vice throughout its network is had entered a Spanish-speak- tle. Each branch outside of the BGFI Business School ing country. Five years later, a Equatorial Guinea must be able (BBS), founded in 2008. branch was opened in Bata. to define itself according to the “To be able to ensure the con- “It was an incredible expe- markets, be it retail, private or tinuity of our activity, to have rience because it was an business. You have to segment,” “BGFIBANK MUST “IN 2010, WE DECIDED TO the same fundamentals and the achievement since we were on- says Mr. Mounguengui. ACCOMPANY THE ADOPT A NEW APPROACH same work base, we have to ly established in French-speak- “This wasn’t always the case DEVELOPMENT OF THE AND ADAPT TO EACH train our workforce. That is ing countries previously,” here in this country, and until COUNTRY BY BRINGING THE DIFFERENT SITUATION, BE IT why we created the BBS. At the recalls Christophe Mounguen- 2010 we did everything. That BANK TO THE POPULATIONS WORKING WITH SMES OR beginning it was to be able to gui, Director General and Vice- year, we decided to adopt a THAT NEED IT.” SMIS, OR INDIVIDUALS.” have in-house training, but we President. new approach and adapt to progressed towards creating The language difference has- each different situation, be it CHRISTOPHE MOUNGUENGUI, Director General and diplomas,” explains Mr. n’t posed too many problems working with SMEs or SMIs, Vice-President of BGFIBank Equatorial Guinea Mounguengui. Overall, rough- for the bank, however, as or individuals. We have con- ly 60% of BBS graduates go on French is also commonly spo- siderably improved our bal- to work at BGFI banks. ken in Equatorial Guinea. Thus, ance sheets, our net banking to XAF10 billion in 2010 and in- worked with the Credit Com- Angolan oil wells, participat- Last year, 17 handpicked the bank is essentially bilingual. income and our results. Mar- crease deposits by 60% to more mercial de France and other ing in a cotton harvest in Equator-Guineans were sent to “We recruited a local French- ket shares have increased.” than XAF1 trillion. correspondents in Europe.” Benin, and financing a supra- the BBS in Libreville. Upon their speaking workforce. It wasn’t Today, BGFIBank E.G. is di- The mother group of BGFI In line with its view to con- national African bank. These return, they went to work for the too hard to find. We sent them vided into Retail Banking, Pri- (the French acronym for In- tinue expanding internation- sophisticated international fi- BGFIBank E.G.’s newly opened to Gabon for training. We al- vate Banking, and Financing ternational Gabonese and ally 2010, the group began nancing operations demon- branches in Malabo, Anisok, so translate our texts as we go and Investment Banking. This French Bank) can trace its ori- operating BGFI International, strate the responsiveness and and Ebibeyin. along to be able to have both has in large part enabled the gins back to Paribas, explains with offices in Paris. In its first innovation enabled by its languages available,” explains bank to make better connec- the Vice-President. “It was an year, it made its mark in sev- shareholders’ equity, its orga- Head office: Mr. Mounguengui. tions with the oil-sector majors old subsidiary of Paribas in eral countries, through such nization and the synergies with Sede Social Banapa, Malabo. Since its launch 11 years ago, operating in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and when Paribas de- activities as financing the co- BGFIBank Group. Apartado 749 the bank has seen its market and allowed it to double its so- cided to leave Africa, we de- coa harvest in Ghana, assist- Aside from its presence in [email protected] share grow and its position im- cial capital from XAF5 billion cided to recapitalize. We ing in the operation of three Gabon, France and G.E., the www.bgfi.com CCEI, the top investment bank Just 18 years old, this Equatoguinean financial establishment thrives with 75% control of the market

Even before investing was seen The company not only pro- vestors within the country as safe in the African nation of vides financing for SMEs but which allows for easy and full Equatorial Guinea as a result also financial advising for po- extraction of capital and prof- of its oil boom, CCEI Bank GE tential enterprises, evaluating its. He also highlights CCEI (opened in 1994) believed in their profitability. Mr. Doria services for international in- the potential of the country. explains that although many vestors for fast money ex- Now, just under two decades businessmen are not usually change between countries later, as Equatorial Guinea sees savvy about the administra- allowing for easier investing. record growth in its economy, tive aspect of setting up the fi- Although international CCEI is the number one bank nancing for their business, the transactions are important for in the nation with 77% of all the bank can assist them to get Equatorial Guinea’s economy, credit in the national market their project off the ground. CCEI also puts an emphasis and 46% of all customer de- “It is really satisfying when on giving back to the local posits. It has offices in both the I go outside and see all the community. Committed to nation’s capital of Malabo and great work that the bank is fi- corporate social responsibili- the largest city, Bata. nancing,” says Mr. Doria. “The ty (CSR), CCEI has built “The most important thing majority of the projects in the schools as well as helped im- was to believe in the country, country are being done prove the medicine in the because obviously if you don’t through CCEI financing.” country. Along with partici- believe in the country, it’s not Besides being the main pating in a campaign against worth it to invest there,” says credit provider for the coun- AIDS and donating medicine Alberto Doria Lajay, General try, CCEI also offers modern to sick children, CCEI also Manager of CCEI. He notes banking services. Within constructed and equipped the that although there were oth- Equatorial Guinea, a network infectious disease block at the er banks in the region when of ATMs is being set up along Regional Hospital of Malabo. his establishment first arrived, with the implementation of the vision of the founders al- credit cards. CCEI will also lowed CCEI to develop all the shortly begin to offer online way to 75% of the market. banking and hopes to extend “IT IS REALLY The parent company, First the cash dispensers further. SATISFYING WHEN Afriland Bank, was originally These modern resources I GO OUTSIDE founded in 1987 in Cameroon will further facilitate interna- AND SEE ALL THE and since has expanded, not tional banking and invest- GREAT WORK THAT only to Equatorial Guinea, but ments. In 1985, Equatorial THE BANK IS also to Liberia, China, the Con- Guinea became part of the FINANCING. THE go and France, among others. Economic Community of MAJORITY OF Recent years have shown sig- Central African States (EC- THE PROJECTS IN nificant growth for CCEI with CAS), an important measure THE COUNTRY ARE the volume of activity in- for their national currency and BEING DONE creasing by 13% last year while foreign investors. THROUGH CCEI profit grew by 7%. 2010 also “We used to have a curren- FINANCING.” proved to be a record year for cy that could not be convert- CCEI in terms of activity and ed which was a huge headache outcome. for us. When we joined the “WE DO Much of CCEI’s business is ECCAS, our currency became EVERYTHING to provide credit for small and the CFA franc, which is con- POSSIBLE SO THAT medium-sized enterprises vertible,” explains Mr. Doria. THE CLIENT IS (SMEs), financing 76% of the The CFA franc originally could SATISFIED AND I market, putting significant em- be exchanged for a French THINK OUR phasis on the development of franc and currently trades SUCCESS IS BASED agricultural companies. The freely with the euro. ON THIS.” success CCEI has experienced This convertible currency within Equatorial Guinea is re- facilitates international in- lated to its relationship with vestment opportunities in its clients. Equatorial Guinea. The biggest ALBERTO DORIA LAJAY “The interest of the customer international investor in the General Manager of CCEI is our priority,” says Mr. Doria, country is the United States Bank GE repeating the bank’s slogan. “We with 2,000 Americans enter- do everything possible so that ing the country every year. the client is satisfied and I think Moreover, Mr. Doria notes our success is based on this.” the beneficial laws for in-

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12 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Infrastructure as the backbone of development

Equatorial Guinea has gone largely unnoticed in the world spotlight. But new foreign investment, growing natural resource production, tourism spending and investment in infrastructure are likely to boost the country’s position on the world stage

Equatorial Guinea is one of to see continued. Today, thanks the most stable and richest to the boom in petroleum, the THE GOVERNMENT countries in Africa. Although country is at a crossroads. The HAS SET ITSELF THE it has escaped the media spot- economic interest has trans- GOAL OF light, the small Western formed the perception of the UPGRADING ITS country is seeing several de- country from one of a danger- INFRASTRUCTURE, velopments that are helping ous place, to a successful and ECONOMY AND to raise its profile and open growing economy. RESOURCES AS it up to the wider world. In recent times the govern- PART OF THE Equatorial Guinea suffered ment has sought to open pub- HORIZON 2020 under the leadership of a dicta- lic perception of the country PLAN. torial government until 1979, through various initiatives and which destroyed the progress it in hosting major international 70% OF THE had made prior to its colonial in- events. Equatorial Guinea host- INFRASTRUCTURE dependence in 1968. These years ed the African Union summit in PROJECTS HAVE were a particularly hard time so- 2011. According to the Ministry BEEN COMPLETED cially, politically and economi- of Information and Tourism, the AND THIS FIGURE IS cally and have certainly colored success of this event was due to EXPECTED TO public perception of the nation. a grand consensus between all CONTINUE RISING In 1979 President Teodoro parties and leaders, and as a re- IN THE FUTURE. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo sult, has been one of the main took over power and made steps in opening the country to concerted efforts to exploit the the international community. natural resources of the coun- Malabo, the island to the west try – specifically oil. However of Equatorial Guinea, hosted the fishing as one of its highest pri- it was another 15 years before South America-Africa Summit orities. The country’s sea ter- the discovery of huge oil re- in 2011 and in 2012 the coun- ritory is 300 times bigger than serves by a small U.S. compa- try hosted the Africa Cup of Na- the land space and marine re- ny called Walter Oil & Gas was tions soccer tournament. “It can sources have hardly been ex- able transform the country’s be said that the infrastructure ploited at all. This is one of the economic fortunes. Indeed, to support this has been the priority sectors for Horizon this small company discovered equal to any in the West and you 2020. The fishing sector offers more oil than it could export are witnesses that the streets are great opportunities for foreign and consequently sold its li- not full of military,” said officials investors. censes to Exxon Mobile Corp. at the Ministry of Information The government is helping to Today there are a number of and Tourism. develop the fundamentals be- North American petroleum Equatorial Guinea is har- hind the tourism sector but the companies exploring the coun- nessing its work as a part of its idea is that this will encourage try for oil. Production capaci- long-term development plan, private investors to put money ty has grown significantly in Horizon 2020. The government in and aid development as well. the last ten years with close to has fixed itself on upgrading its This is also the case as the 300 million barrels of produc- infrastructure, economy and re- oil business develops in the tion. Exploration continues sources before the year 2020. Top: Corisco Island and its landing strip. Bottom: Annobon Island’s extinct volcano looms over the airport country. According to the with estimates of a further 30 The government has made Ministry, Equatorial Guinea years of oil production from renovating the country’s exist- torial Guinea is tourism. The Annobon. Communications re- frastructure for development in has a good working relation- the country. Equatorial Guinea ing infrastructure its prime ob- country is upgrading its infra- mains a priority with much fo- the next three years and will ship with the U.S. – the also has natural gas reserves jective. According to the structure to deal with a growing cus on developing the Internet work with foreign companies biggest producer and exporter which have been tapped for ex- Ministry of Information and tourism influx, which even the and ensuring everyone will have to do so. The natural beauty, of the African nation’s oil and ploration in recent years. Tourism, 70% of the infrastruc- islands of Annobon and Corisco a working telephone. beaches and tourism sights are gas – and hopes the latter will The natural resources boom ture projects have been com- are enjoying. EG has already set According to the Ministry sufficient to ensure the coun- center its attention on Equa- has opened the country’s doors pleted and this is expected to out on projects to build new ho- of Information and Tourism, try won’t fall back into eco- torial Guinea and foster a to the wider world and is some- continue strongly in the future. tels in the next five years and has the government is looking to nomic difficulties. more preferential relationship thing those in government want The other priority for Equa- opened up a television signal in build up all the necessary in- Equatorial Guinea also holds in the future. New Iberia in Equatorial Guinea roads Victor Calvo, the Commercial Manager of Iberia Equatorial Guinea, outlines his vision for the company and details the recent growth in aviation traffic in the and African country

The aviation industry in Equatorial Guinea has ports Equatorial Guinea is in full great potential for develop- swing. The last five years have ment, especially in tourism, Unprecedented projects seen a significant growth in and we are extremely moti- are modernizing and passenger traffic to and from vated to continue facing new expanding the nation’s the country. Companies that challenges and overcoming infrastructure to boost traditionally operated in this them. industry and trade market have increased their frequency and improved their A final message on Equator- The impressive array of de- services, and also new carri- ial Guinea to share with the velopment projects led by ers have started to operate re- readers of USA Today: the government’s Ministry gionally and internationally. for Transport, Post, Tech- Significant improvements Equatorial Guinea is a large- nology and Telecommuni- have been undertaken at air- ly undiscovered destination, cations is expanding access ports and on the surround- and Iberia, a company that to the country’s ports, air- ing roads. We are also has been in this country con- ports and roads and is seen building new airports, while tinuously and will continue as key toward spurring on expanding existing airport investing in the future, invites trade and commerce. facilities and improving and you to come and enjoy this The country’s road sys- increasing security systems. place at the heart of Africa. Spain’s Iberia Airlines has been a partner of Guinea’s development since the 1960s. tem is undergoing a sub- The creation of the Au- For all those who belong to Today it operates six weekly round-trip flights stantial upgrade to connect tonomous Authority of Civ- the Hispanic community, the all cities by paved highways il Aviation has given a great advantage of being able to be – making Equatorial Guinea impetus to the development understood in the same lan- one of the few African coun- described above and is one of guage is an added value that was inaugurated in October Equatorial Guinea and Spain Iberia plays an important role tries to do so. Facilitating the the major catalysts for the will allow you to understand 2010, our service on these are operated by its A319 air- in facilitating travel between circulation of people will development of the aero- and enjoy even more of this flights started to include craft, one of the most mod- Equatorial Guinea and oth- serve as a boon to the econ- nautical sector in Equatori- country, which lately is ex- wider seats with recliners, ern fleets that Iberia holds, er parts of the world, as from omy. Despite most of the al Guinea. periencing a period of great greater distance between which has 14 seats in Busi- its base in Terminal 4 at country being covered in My previous experience development with vast im- seats, and a better food ser- ness Class and 108 seats in Madrid airport, Iberia offers dense rainforest, some 80% with Iberia, in numerous air- provements in infrastructure vice, as well as a personal en- Economy Class. connections to 32 other of its roads are now being ports, as well as in various and services. tertainment system. In 2011, the sales of Iberia Spanish cities, 42 destina- surfaced to withstand mud- commercial and financial de- Iberia began flying to Equa- In August 2011, Iberia in- seats between Madrid and tions in Europe, five cities in slides and torrential rains. partments, has allowed me torial Guinea in June 1941. creased the frequency of Malabo grew nearly 7% to the United States, and 19 in Ports under development to obtain a global view of the In recent years, our airline flights by adding an addi- 63,000 seats. In 2012 the sup- Latin America. include Luba Freeport, the company, and this has been has improved the service of- tional weekly flight, so we ply will increase by more than The 44% of passengers fly- K5 Oil Center and other very valuable for performing fered to passengers flying be- now have six per week be- 8% and exceed 68 000 seats. ing with Iberia between natural deepwater ports my duties in a country where tween Madrid and Malabo. tween Madrid and Malabo. The passenger count grew by Madrid and Malabo contin- around Malabo on Bioko Iberia has so much tradition. When Business Club Class The airline's flights between more than 15% in 2011, com- ued their journey to other Island, and Bata on the pared to 2010, while the load destinations, including Va- mainland – all of which are factor of flights between lencia, Lisbon, Barcelona, Sao increasingly interesting lo- Madrid and Malabo is around Paulo, Gran Canaria, Cairo cations for freight-forward- 76%. and Tel Aviv. The market ing and logistics companies. We consider the increase share of Iberia between Airports too are under- in the number of passengers Equatorial Guinea and Eu- going expansion, and Bata flying with Iberia Business rope now stands at 42%. airport can now cater to the Class to/from Equatorial In addition to passenger world’s largest passenger air- Guinea, which was around aircrafts, Iberia also trans- craft, the A380. New air- 7.5% in 2011, as very impor- ports goods. In 2011, more ports have been built at tant, since it can be inter- than 20,000kg of cargo was Malabo, Mongomo, An- preted as an increase in the flown between Equatorial nobon and Corisco Island. country's trade relations, not Guinea and Spain. The ma- According to the Ministry, only with Spain, but also with jority of the goods that came for decades Annobon had Europe and the rest of the from Equatorial Guinea were no airport or harbor, and it world. bound for Argentina, Cuba, was an adventure to travel It is precisely in the case the United States, El Salvador to Malabo or Bata. But to- of connecting flights where and Spain. day Annobon is “unlocked”.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 13 CEIBA is flying high for Equatorial Guinea Founded in 2007, CEIBA is the country’s flagship airline. It has come a long way since it started operating with a single second-hand plane

CEIBA is Equatorial Guinea’s counting. We are consolidat- public aviation company. Fi- ing and evolving.” nanced entirely by public cap- “AT A TECHNICAL The company is also aware ital, it is a source of national LEVEL, WE ARE of its role in boosting tourism. pride thanks to its achieve- COMPLYING WITH “It is difficult for a country to ments and continuous growth. ALL MAINTENANCE develop its tourism sector if it It started life as a very small REQUIREMENTS. does not have the adequate company. “We had no offices,” WHAT WE HAVE tools to promote it,” says Mr. says Bienvenido Ateba TO DO NOW, AND Ateba Mangue. “But this coun- Mangue, CEIBA’s Adminis- WE’RE FIGHTING try has an airline that can pro- TO ACHIEVE THIS, trative and Financial Director. IS IMPROVE ject an image of the country “It normally takes up to two AIRPORT SECURITY, and that is an honor for me.” years to set up an airline, but AND ADAPT TO A The airline is committed to since an aviation accident in MUCH MORE a growth and expansion pro- 2006, the government had RIGID SYSTEM OF gram that will include even been very concerned about the CONTROL more cities. Currently they fly sector. So in July 2007, just two CHECKS.” to Annobon twice a week, and months after being founded, to 10 other international desti- CEIBA started operating nations, as well as operating lo- flights with a secondhand “ONE OF THE cal flights in the Central African plane. In December that year COMPANY’S Monetary and Economic Com- they flew for the first time to OBJECTIVES IS TO munity (CEMAC) zone. It is a different country, Cameroon. EFFECTIVELY LINK important to bear in mind that Currently its fleet compris- UP THE WHOLE the country consists of both the es four ATR aircraft plus one COUNTRY...WE ARE mainland and many islands, so Boeing 737, which was recently PLANNING TO good connections between all acquired by the government START FLIGHTS TO these territories is vital. and whose routes are being CORISCO TO “One of the company’s ob- programmed in Hamburg. FURTHER EXPAND jectives is to effectively link up The company was first put OUR MANY the whole country. The air- to the test in 2011, when the TOURIST ports at Annobon and Corisco African Union Summit took POSSIBILITIES.” are very modern and use the place in Equatorial Guinea. Mr. latest technology. We are plan- Ateba Mangue recounts what ning to start flights to Corisco came next: “[The AU Summit] to further expand our many went quite well, and then our BIENVENIDO ATEBA MANGUE, tourist possibilities,” he says. most important challenge was Administrative and Financial For Mr. Ateba Mangue, it is the Africa Cup of Nations, in Director of CEIBA the change in mentality tak- which CEIBA provided the of- ing place in the country that ficial transport for CAN 2012.” will really attract internation- He stresses the importance system of control checks. We from the European Union who authority. “This independent other 10 in Argentina. Two al attention. of motivating employees. are in the process of doing this, were in charge of the blacklist body is there to ensure com- generations of flight attendants CEIBA’s current mission is “They have a sense of respon- and not far from reaching our visited us to evaluate the situ- pliance with all the regulations were trained in Spain and have to keep up the good work and sibility and patriotism; they objective,” says the director. ation regarding security and set by the IATA, etc.,” says Mr. international licenses issued make Equatorial Guinea proud know any error can diminish Furthermore, Mr. Ateba compliance with internation- Ataeba Amangue. “It can pe- by the European Union. of it. “As an international com- Equatorial Guinea’s image to Mangue believes they need to al civil aviation requirements,” nalize infractions without the “We are also organizing pany, we at CEIBA are doing the outside world.” be creative in order to do the he explains. “New airport in- need for government inter- many instruction programs in- all we can to improve our CEIBA’s short-term goal is to job, but in his opinion they are frastructures are now being set vention… This will help to im- ternally because it is cheaper product and our services. We improve security. “At a techni- going in the right direction and up by several European com- prove the industry’s credibility.” that way,” says Mr. Ateba are ready to welcome anyone cal level, we are complying with have “a solid structure”. He al- panies. We’ve not been fully The company has taken Mangue, “We are planning a who comes to Equatorial all maintenance requirements. so stresses the efforts being successful up till now, but the great care to ensure their staff training course for agents and Guinea and CEIBA to help us What we have to do now, and made to get their name re- government is taking positive achieve the required standards scale operations, and we have to be the reference company we’re fighting to achieve this, moved from the European steps.” of proficiency. Three of their completed the Amadeus pro- in Africa – and why not, the is improve airport security, and Union blacklist: “Not long ago One such step is the creation pilots have been trained by the ject. We are also in the final rest of the world,” concludes its adapt to a much more rigid some government employees of the national civil aviation French civil aviation and an- phase of management ac- ambitious director. Aviation can help economy to soar

The aviation sector can aid Equatorial Guinea’s economic take off and improve the fortunes of the masses Although oil has brought great taking into consideration the minal at Malabo, where you wealth to some, the rest of different costs, Cronos par- can have transit passengers as Equatorial Guineans are look- ticipates in the socioeconom- well. So if airlines like Delta ing for new ways to find jobs, ic development of the country. come in, you will have pas- hope, inspiration and a better Also, 85% of Cronos’ employ- sengers from Cameroon and future for themselves and their ees are Guinean, so we pro- the rest of the region flying to families. Aviation has a sig- vide jobs and training in the Malabo, and from Malabo to nificant part to play in all this, aviation sector,” he says. Atlanta with Delta, for exam- according to Andreas Kaïafas, “In order to be able to issue ple, and the same thing with CEO of Cronos Airlines. a license they need a certified other international airlines. Mr. Kaïafas is looking to ad- and approved flying school. We can play a small role bring- vance the fortunes of the coun- So we send pilots outside of ing passengers to Delta and try with his airline. CEIBA.” The geographic na- One other path ture of the country for the future for means that air travel Cronos Airlines is very important. might be to grow The country consists the cargo side of the of a mainland terri- business. The CEO tory, and five small knows that this is a islands. longer process and “In general, trans- something for the port is vital. That future. is how you move “We are trying to goods and people, work on the cargo so it is something business, but it takes that is very impor- time. We will do it tant for our country; step-by-step. Our not just aviation, but priority is to con- also maritime and centrate on the ground transport. scheduled passen- Transport is a key gers. We have a factor for the econ- good cargo space in omy. Aviation is like a bill- Andreas Kaïafas, CEO of Cronos the planes; we can take 3.2 board advertising a country,” Airlines tons and 3.8 tons. I think with- said Mr. Kaïafas. in two years maybe we will Since it began in 2008, have something strong in car- Cronos Airlines has grown Equatorial Guinea. We have go, but we want to focus more steadily. Mr. Kaïafas states his pilots here with ICAO and Eu- on passengers,” he says. ambition and he says the com- ropean licenses for instance,” With the Equatorial pany “has a vision of becom- said Mr. Kaïafas. Whether this Guinean economy already ing a medium-sized airline will be something that he and taking off thanks to the large regionally.” This vision will the Government look to ex- deposits of oil within the hopefully bring about oppor- plore in the future remains to country, aviation provides tunities for employment, as be seen. hope for jobs in other sectors, well as increasing the amount Furthermore, many Amer- while also allowing for growth of tourism activity within the icans can enter the country, in tourism and putting the mainland and the surrounding thanks to the relaxed Visa reg- country on the map and rais- islands. Mr. Kaïafas believes ulations and a possible part- ing its profile internationally. Cronos Airlines can play a ma- nership with companies like Mr. Kaïafas has a clear plan jor part in the future progress Delta airlines could be on the and it remains to be seen what of the country. horizon in the future. How- the true economic benefits of “By maintaining a low fare ever Mr. Kaïafas stresses: “We his work will have on Equa- policy within the sector (Mal- want to be a regional airline. torial Guinea, but the sky is abo-Bata-Malabo) of course There is a vision for a new ter- the limit.

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Distributed by USA TODAY EQUATORIAL GUINEA Thursday, September 27th, 2012 15 The country’s flagship telecoms provider is leading by example

Getesa is in charge of developing national and international communications, and marketing value-added services. A joint venture between the government and France Telecom, who market their products as Orange, GETESA is recognised as symbol of the country’s progress as it is the leading force driving innovation and modernization of the telecoms industry

The tiny West African nation of making specific references to Equatorial Guinea, with the pe- advances in mobile commu- culiarity of a capital city perched nications. on an island offshore, has am- The General Director real- bitious plans to become a re- izes, however, that significant gional telecommunications challenges remain: “Our time is leader. The obstacles in its way, limited. We achieved a lot in a including patchy phone service short amount of time, but now and aging antenna networks, we have to consolidate that. are just a couple of the difficul- We’re doing studies in the areas ties that GETESA, the state-run that still lack coverage. The an- telecommunications company, tennas are there but the tech- wants to eliminate. nology isn’t the best. We want The country is effectively to change [the antennas] so that leveraging its European part- they’re much more effective.” ners to build communications Still, challenges persist. networks that make it easier for Though subsea fiber optic ca- Africans to speak with their bles have already been installed neighbors and also do business between the capital, Malabo, with the rest of the world. and the mainland, gaps remain Angel Ndongo, General Di- in a major subsea link between rector of GETESA, says his Africa and Europe. Mr. Ndon- country is adapting quickly to go is confident, however, that new technologies and learning “Equatorial Guinea will be ready from a series of missteps in or- when the cable arrives.” der to boost credibility in the Foreign investment in the na- its profile as a major telecom- The expansion of 3G service highly competitive, dynamic tion’s telecommunications in- munications player. across the country is another telecommunications industry. dustry is not new – the French “IN THE PAST 15 YEARS WE’VE GONE Market penetration in Equa- key goal for GETESA. This Evidence of this progress in- spotted opportunities in Equa- FROM MARGINAL DEMAND, TO HUGE torial Guinea, by North Amer- project is being undertaken by cludes big investments to mod- torial Guinea as early as the DEMAND FOR ALL ican standards, still remains the French company Alcatel- ernize outdated systems. 1980s. France Cable & Radio, a TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.” low. Cell phones reach rough- Lucent and the Chinese What’s more, company lead- subsidiary of the industry giant ly a fifth of the population, ac- telecommunications compa- ers have made advances in at- France Telecom, entered into a ANGEL NDONGO, General Director of GETESA cording to Mr. Ndongo. The ny HUAWEI. tracting the right mix of formal agreement with Equa- company nevertheless hopes Indeed, tiny Equatorial partners with the know-how torial Guinea’s government in that the country can take ad- Guinea, the only Spanish-speak- to help the country achieve its 1987 to create GETESA. The admits that these missteps difficult conversations with his vantage of its limited size, ing country in Africa in a sea of telecommunications goals. government put forth 60% of were unfortunate, but says the French counterparts, he says: roughly the size of the state of larger francophone nations, sees “In the past 15 years we’ve the capital in the deal, while the company is correcting them, “We hope that now the invest- Maryland and offer full cov- telecommunications as a way gone from marginal demand, French contributed the re- pointing to investments in in- ments will have a positive ef- erage to the entire territory. to elevate its profile. to huge demand for all telecom- maining 40%. frastructure to cover gaps and fect on our installations.” Events such as the Africa Cup “As a small country we can’t munications services,” says Mr. The deal, signed at the be- ultimately offer greater guar- Recently, GETESA’s day-to- of Nations soccer tournament, pretender to do everything but Ndongo, who leads the telecom- ginnings of the adoption of antees to customers. day operations switched to bringing together tens of thou- we can do a good job at what we munications company follow- analog cellular phone service, “What exists now is neither Equatorial Guinean control, sands of mobile users, have choose, and the world of ing two decades at the helm of brought major investments in completely trustworthy nor ro- allowing for greater control of demonstrated that telecom- telecommunications is one of the country’s central bank. infrastructure. Lapses in man- bust. We have to update and investment decisions. But the munication companies in the those areas,” Mr. Ndongo says. High-speed Internet, a luxury agement and maintenance, continue to build infrastructure influence of French capital is region have the capacity to meet “We want to have the best that still eludes much of Africa, however, led to complaints of so that we reach the entire Equa- still visible in a number of ways. increasingly demanding con- telecommunications in Africa, is among the most sought-after dropped calls and areas with torial Guinean territory,” Mr. Backed by the brand recogni- sumer needs. at the very least in our region, services today, Mr. Ndongo says, no cell coverage at all, among Ndongo says, adding that the tion of French trademark Or- “There are stadiums with and we believe we’ll achieve that. adding: “We are making a con- other difficulties. The prob- company is investing between ange, whose orange logo is 40,000 spectators transmit- We invite everyone to learn scious effort to be at the fore- lems made headlines, spurring $30 million and $50 million an- highly visible at soccer stadi- ting data, voice, images, etc ... more about us as we will be able front of information and GETESA leaders to change nually to upgrade the network. ums across the country, GETE- and we have achieved this in to find potential partners, bet- communication technologies.” their approach. Mr. Ndongo Regarding the outcome of some SA has been able to ramp up a short time,” Mr. Ndongo said, ter opportunities.” A unique tourism Ibis builds its second offer in Africa hotel in EG The popular hotel chain just opened a lion branding model worldwide, where each Equatorial Guinea’s vast natural resources and modernizing cities, coupled with its new establishment in Bata amidst excit- establishment will implement new signage, a Spanish influence, make tourism a promising sector ing branding changes in the company unique design of the common areas and up- graded bedding, among other things. The com- With the striking natural This year, acclaimed hotel chain Ibis, boasting pany is also publicizing its versatility: “The key beauty of the tropical islands 4,299 hotels worldwide, has opened its sec- feature of our hotel group is that it is the only and the quaint Spanish colo- ond hotel in Equatorial Guinea, in its largest global group that covers the whole range of ho- nial architecture in its cities, city of Bata. tel segments, from luxury to budget hotels,” the African coastal nation of Hotel Ibis Bata, a 120-room establishment says Mr. Masvidal, adding that brand changes Equatorial Guinea has a located just under four miles from this coastal will be completed by 2013. tourism sector with potential city’s airport, was inaugurated earlier this year Another Ibis hotel was built in the Equato- for tremendous growth. and began by hosting the organizing commit- rial Guinea’s capital of Malabo, highlighting A recent boom in infra- tee during the Africa Cup of Nations, an im- the beginning of a tourism boom to the African structure and construction portant soccer event. country. Mr. Masvidal points out the two Ibis in the country, especially The Managing Director of the hotel, Vincent hotels’ contributions to the country’s econo- within the main cities of Ba- Masvidal, notes that everything was prepared my by training a local workforce, buying sup- ta and Malabo, contributes to in advance, but that opening a hotel with such plies from the local market and attracting the major improvements in an important event was a huge challenge. tourists. airports, ports, and roads. “I can tell you it has been a great adventure,” “Having a hotel in Bata makes it part of the “It is amazing when you ar- remarks Mr. Masvidal. “At the same time, it was worldwide hotel community. As a consequence rive in Malabo for the first a great opportunity to showcase our hotel.” people are made aware of the existence of Equa- time. The country is really The opening of the hotel also marks the be- torial Guinea and might be interested in dis- booming with construction ginning of the Ibis franchise’s new $204-mil- covering it,” he says. and projects everywhere,” says Vincent Masvidal, Man- aging Director of Ibis Bata Hotel, the newest hotel in the country’s largest city, Bata. Apart from Ibis, Equator- ial Guinea boasts a wide variety of well-known hotel franchises in including Hilton and Sofitel, accom- modation often used for business trips, built supporting the government’s initiative for tourism development in its cities. Malabo, a port city located on the northern tip of the The Santa Isabel Cathedral is one of Malabo's landmarks, with its stunning Bioko Island, is the nation’s Spanish Gothic architecture capital and has attractions such as its Spanish colonial try’s biggest assets for tourism and 360 miles from the con- architecture including its are its natural resources, hav- tinental coast, Annobon is cathedral in Independence ing one of the most diverse on an extinct volcano with a Plaza, the heart of the city. landscapes in Africa. The central crater lake called La- A modern conference cen- government has taken great go a Pot. ter city just outside of Mal- strides at protecting the The island of Corisco par- abo, Sipopo, was inaugurated wildlife, aware of its potential, allels the beauty of Annobon on June 5th, 2011, built to conserving 20% of its natur- with white sandy beaches and host large-scale international areas both on the mainland green mountains, dubbed al events. and off the coast. both “the island of love” and Bata, a costal city on the Within its wide network the “Tahiti of Africa”. mainland, has vibrant of islands, the pristine and These rich natural re- nightlife and a colorful mar- tropical Annobon offers vir- sources and booming infra- ket. Its diverse cuisine is a gin beaches and lush forests structure in Equatorial fusion of African and Euro- with easy access to one of Guinea are the first steps to- pean influences. the best airports in the coun- ward the budding tourism Besides the cities, the country. Roughly six square miles industry.

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16 Thursday, September 27th, 2012 EQUATORIAL GUINEA Distributed by USA TODAY Empowering The role of women Women who have achieved great stature in government, industry, sports, and the media are becoming a familiar sight the country In recent years, the economic that as one of the continent’s products in our economy be- growth of Equatorial Guinea smaller countries, Equatori- fore petroleum – women did has transformed the coun- al Guinea often goes unno- not suffer because they de- With all the development taking place in Equatorial Guinea, its people are entering try into one of Africa’s lead- ticed in international media cided to sell food they pro- an age of enlightenment ing states and in this coverage of the African con- duced so that they could transformation women are tinent and as such, many support their families.” The electrical sector in Equa- taking on a more empower- myths and utopias remain And from their vital role in torial Guinea was never one to ing and increasingly high- regarding the realities of the the family to their role in pol- boast about. However, the sit- profile role. role of women within the na- itics and civil society, women uation today is different; un- Though traditional gen- tion’s cultural environment. have undoubtedly become der the nation’s Horizon 2020 der roles are still more com- To clarify Equatorial agents of change in Equato- plan, a rapid turnaround is tak- mon within Equatoguinean Guinea’s objectives in this rial Guinea. ing place. society, in which women are direction, Ambassador “Women are very smart Following a restructuring in predominantly responsible Angue Ondo explains: “We because we educate children, 2001 and a total investment of for home labors and child- work so that all women, in- support our husbands and more than $2 billion, EG has care, a female presence is including those who are illit- maintain our households. launched 20 electrification pro- creasingly notable in erate, know everything that When we have participated jects, embracing the full spec- professional jobs in the economy, we trum of the production, and within the gov- have always re- transportation, distribution and ernment sector. Key sponded splendid- marketing of electricity. Gone to this evolution is ly,” says Ms. Angue are those days when electrici- the emphasis that Ondo. And just ty supply was a matter of na- Jose Maria Ondo, General Secretary Julian Mbomio, Insular Deputy the government has like her, others tional concern. of SEGESA Regional Director of SEGESA placed on educa- have also taken on Previously under the con- tion, an integral part positions of lead- trol of SONER (National Rur- the company in recent years in ulation,” he says. “The benefits of the government’s ership, including al Electrification Company) furthering the country’s vision are already starting to show.” Horizon 2020 plan, H.E. Maria Leonor in rural areas and ENERGE set out in the Horizon 2020 The remarkable progress considered by many Epam Biribe, Min- (Electricity Corporation of plan. “My greatest motivation made under the rule of Presi- the nation’s leap in- ister of Social Af- Equatorial Guinea) in urban and satisfaction is in seeing met dent Obiang is truly appreci- to the future. fairs and for the areas, the generation and dis- the goals set forth by the great ated when one compares the Witness to this Promotion of tribution of electricity founding leader of the Demo- situation today with that of sev- development is Her Women, whose ap- throughout the country were cratic Party of Equatorial eral years ago. SEGESA’s Gen- Excellency Purifi- pointment repre- handed over to SEGESA (Elec- Guinea (PDGE) and President eral Secretary recalls the lack cacion Angue On- sents a pivotal tricity Company of Equatori- of the nation, Mr. Obiang of power supply to satisfy the do, Ambassador of recognition of the al Guinea) when it absorbed Ngueme Mbasogo, in the Hori- level of demand just a few years Equatorial Guinea emphasis on the previous two operators in zon 2020 plan,” he says. back. There was insufficient to the United States. strengthening the November 2001. The electrical infrastructure electricity generation capacity “One year following role of women. The capital of SEGESA is of the country’s transport sys- throughout the country, a re- the change of dicta- However, be- presently 70% publicly owned tem is 95% fully executed and ality which forced recurring torship, a depart- yond the political with 30% private participation, operative and the extension of power cuts to be made. The ment for women and social arenas, while plans for full privatiza- the turbo-gas center is over 90% entire population depended was set up. It was a women from tion are being developed. complete and currently pro- on just one working turbo gas dream, a utopia, Equatorial Guinea Established in Malabo, to- ducing 120 MW daily. More- station, located in Malabo and and I was lucky to have also made in- day SEGESA is the national over, in the continental region that produced 28MW. be part of the first team,” she Purificacion Angue Ondo, ternational headlines in the electricity company serving the over 90% of the population has Mr. Mbomio notes on the explains. EG’s Ambassador to the US field of sports. When one whole country. It operates two access to electricity following company’s achievements: “We Having pursued a profes- hears Nzalang Nacional transmission networks; one of the development of stations in now have power in the coun- sional career since finishing goes on around them so that (national ray) – used to re- which is located on the island Djiblo and Sendje, among oth- try, something which we did her studies, Ms. Angue On- they may participate and give fer to the national women’s of Bioko, and supplies both ers. With improved road con- not have a short while back, do has played a pivotal role their opinion.” soccer team – inevitably a Malabo and Luba, while the ditions transport and access and this is the key tool which in promoting the status of Equatoguinean women, sense of national pride sinks other is onshore. have been greatly facilitated. has enabled us to relaunch our women within and beyond says Ms. Angue Ondo, are by in. Since the Equatoguinean So now, and due greatly to SEGESA’s Insular Deputy country’s economy.” the frontiers of her country. nature strong and hard- team’s outstanding perfor- SEGESA’s efforts, the country Regional Director, Julian Not only is SEGESA able to During the 1990’s she worked working. And as an example mance in the 2008 Women’s can proudly boast of having an Mbomio, comments on the count on full government sup- at the Ministry for the Pro- she presents the determina- African Football Champi- exemplary and enviable elec- benefits that, once completed, port, the company also bene- motion of Women and later tion shown by women dur- onship from which they tricity supply system. Jose Maria these stations will provide for fits from the country’s served as Ambassador to ing one of the country’s emerged victorious, it’s as if Ondo, General Secretary of citizens. “These will un- cooperation with China and Cameroon and as of 2005 to crises: “When the price of a new ray of light has been SEGESA, highlights the ex- doubtedly bring prosperity cooperative exchanges of tech- the United States. cocoa suffered in Equatorial shed upon the capability of ceptional advances made by and welfare to the overall pop- nical know-how with Cuba. Ms. Angue Ondo insists Guinea – one of the core women.

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