Malabo, Equatorial Guinea Report of what it's like to live there - 04/16/21
Personal Experiences from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I have also lived in:
Monterrey-Mexico Manila-Philippine, Palma de Mallorca-Spain, Washington DC USA, Hanoi Vietnam, Singapore, Santo Domingo-Dominican Republic, San Jose-Costa Rica, London-England, Dublin-Ireland
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Florence-Italy.
From Malabo to Italy it is fairly easy. Direct connection with Paris or Addis Ababa and the flight to Italy.
From Malabo to Florence considering connection time could be between 12-16 hours.
3. What years did you live here?
2019-2021.
4. How long have you lived here?
We are two years in Malabo.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is beautiful, large house with big garden.
House size 160 sqm or more. Commute time it's little. Almost no traffic and distance are small
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries at Malabo are expensive poor quality ingredient and small availability in term of variety.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Cleaning product, dry food (beans, pasta, legumes).
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
I find restaurant scene poor so I don't do take out or go much in restaurants.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Malaria.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Trough diplomatic pouch twice a month.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Cost is around 600800 $ for a 40/h week job.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
It's pretty much a cash only economy.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
None.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Spanish is necessary. You could find affordable teachers.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No buses, no trams, no trains are available. Taxi safe.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Any Toyota, being the only dealer who service car. Not risk of carjackings. Roads are good all over.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High speed internet is not available, could take a week to have internet install.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use a local provider, Muni.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Not quarantine regarding pets. Veterinarian are available, we bring a cat with no problems, for a cat vaccine are not always available.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Oil company or Embassies.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Not aware of any.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Not really.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Using the normal common sense. It is not a dangerous place.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care level is poor.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is good, seasonal Harmatan could create problem for people with allergies.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Extremely wet on a rainy season, hot all year around 30 celsius.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Two School for Expat , one French only the other Spanish and English. My experience with Maria Cano (the second) was fair to poor.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Preschool available, around $600 month.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
No.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Poor, not many things to do small community.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Normally we socialize in parties at private residences.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Difficult to answer, need a lot of adaptations.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Not easy, they are difficult to open to other, also due to the political repressions.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Not at all. Because is extremely conservative culture.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Nature offer a lot, trip to Ureka, Moka .
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
As above
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Unfortunately is quite sad in this sense.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
No traffic.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No
