Equatorial Guinea comprises two regions: the island region, with three provinces – Bioko North, Bioko South and Anobon – and the continental region named Rio Muni. According to the 3^rd population and housing census in 2001, the country’s total population is just over one million and 61% live in rural areas. In the HDI ranking (Human Development Index), Equatorial Guinea (0.653) is in 120^th position of a total of 177 countries. Equatorial Guinea is in a transitional phase, moving from a self-sufficient subsistence economy, impoverished by decades of dictatorship, to an "oil economy" integrated into international trade, with a per capita GDP of $20 510 in 2006.

Key issues in EU-Equatorial Guinea relations

The National Indicative Programme for the period 2008-2013 amounts to € 17.2 million, covering certain long-term development operations in the context of the country strategy paper, in particular:

• one single focus area, devoted to governance support. This will enable regular support in terms of good governance for each of the institutions proposed during the period covered by the 10^th EDF. The total budget for this area is € 13.8 M. Particular attention will be paid to projects, results and achievements in the context of the previous EDFs (8^th and 9^th EDFs), which were also devoted to good governance.
• one non-focal area, devoted to institutional support, for an indicative amount of € 3.4 M. Three main areas of activity will be addressed: (i) the reinforcement of the productive capacities of businesses, (ii) air transport and (iii) enabling the country’s interconnection with African broadband digital networks.

Besides this, a Technical Cooperation Facility (TCF) will be financed in order to help implementation of the various programmes and to guarantee any technical assistance necessary (e.g. studies, expertise, seminars, evaluations, audits) contributing to the successful preparation of the various projects to be carried out under this programme. This facility will also enable specific initiatives to be supported in favour of non-state actors, complementing the support already provided within the priority sector.