Republic of Equatorial Guinea: 2016 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Director for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights that Equatorial Guinea’s overall real GDP growth has been weak in recent years averaging –0.5 percent from 2010–14, largely owing to a trend decline of the dominant hydrocarbon sector. Economic performance deteriorated substantially in the wake of the 2014 oil-price shock. In 2015, the pace of the contraction intensified, and economic activity declined by 7.4 percent. The near-term outlook is very challenging, given prospects for depressed energy prices and a continued decline in hydrocarbon production. Weak oil revenues and limited buffers will require further cuts to public investment, leading to a deep contraction of the large construction sector and public administration.