Equatorial Guinea ready to host Russia-Africa summit

Equatorial Guinea is ready to host the next Russia-Africa summit in its capital of Malabo, the country’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, said during a plenary session of the Russian State Duma on Thursday. Obiang also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin the same day.  

“I would also like to inform you that Equatorial Guinea has significant capabilities and excellent organizational experience,” Obiang stated, mentioning past summits such as the African Union Conference, Africa-Turkey Summit, and the Africa and Arab World Summit. “We are ready to host the Russia-Africa summit in our modern African Union city of Malabo in Equatorial Guinea,” he emphasized.  

Obiang expressed hope that Putin would personally attend such an event. “It would be a great honor for our people,” he stated.  

Speaking during his meeting with Putin, the Equatorial Guinea president proposed establishing a Russian bank in his country to facilitate trade and commercial transactions between the two nations.  

“I see that we have good economic and trade relations, they are strengthening. And we hope that Russia will be able to open a bank in Equatorial Guinea in order to facilitate commercial transactions,” he said. 

Putin, meanwhile, emphasized the strong partnership between Russia and Equatorial Guinea. “Your country is our partner both in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and in OPEC+, and we have been successfully cooperating with Equatorial Guinea for a long time. Our common task is undoubtedly the stabilization of global energy markets. Overall, together with our partners within these organizations, we are managing to address this task quite effectively,” the Russian president stated. 

He also noted that the two countries have strong friendly relations, which “have a good long history.” 

Besides the development of economic relations, the presidents also discussed military-technical cooperation. In June, Moscow and Malabo concluded an agreement to allow Russian instructors to train members of the Equatorial Guinea. 

Obiang also expressed a wish for Russia’s support in his country joining BRICS, “as it is now a hope” for the African nation. 

The Equatorial Guinea leader was in Moscow to meet Putin last November. The latest visit to Russia is Obiang’s third in his 45 years in office.