Equatorial Guinea proposes agricultural partnership with Viet Nam

Recently, Mr. Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department and Head of the South-South Cooperation Working Group, held a meeting with Mr. Mauricio Mauro Epkua Obama, Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to China, who is concurrently accredited to Viet Nam.

At the meeting, Ambassador Mauricio Mauro Epkua Obama stated that the Government of Equatorial Guinea is implementing an economic diversification strategy to reduce its dependence on the oil and gas sector. Under this strategy, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries have been identified as priority sectors for restoring economic growth and strengthening national food security.

The International Cooperation Department welcomed the proposals put forward by the Equatorial Guinean side and reaffirmed Viet Nam's readiness to strengthen cooperation under the framework of South-South Cooperation, in line with the development needs and conditions of both countries.

Accordingly, the two sides highlighted the strong potential for Viet Nam–Equatorial Guinea cooperation in agricultural development planning, technology transfer, demonstration models, human resource training, agro-processing, and agricultural value chain development. They also agreed to jointly formulate project proposals to mobilize financial support from international financial institutions.

Ambassador Mauricio Mauro Epkua Obama highly appreciated Viet Nam's achievements in agricultural development, particularly in rice production, aquaculture, and agricultural value chain development. He expressed Equatorial Guinea's interest in learning from Viet Nam's experience through technical cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building, and the development of agricultural models suited to the country's conditions. The Ambassador also proposed establishing a ministerial-level cooperation framework in agriculture by developing and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would provide a foundation for implementing concrete bilateral cooperation activities in the coming years.

The Ambassador also provided updates on Equatorial Guinea's efforts to improve the investment climate, including policies to develop special economic zones and industrial parks to attract investment in the agricultural sector. He further emphasized the country's strategic advantage in accessing regional markets through the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The two sides agreed to advance the development and signing of a ministerial-level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Viet Nam and Equatorial Guinea to establish a legal framework for future cooperation. Focal points from both sides will continue to coordinate to finalize the draft MoU and identify priority areas of cooperation, with a focus on sectors where both countries have comparative strengths and strong implementation potential.

Following the signing of the MoU, the relevant agencies of both countries will work toward organizing a fact-finding mission to Equatorial Guinea to assess the country's agricultural needs and development potential, support agricultural planning, and identify concrete cooperation projects.

In addition, the two sides agreed to jointly prepare project proposals to mobilize financial resources from international financial institutions, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) identified as the initial priority partner, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural development.