Equatorial Guinea

Dealing with Construction Permits in

Equatorial Guinea

Listed below is detailed summary of the procedures, time and costs to build a warehouse —including obtaining necessary licenses and permits, completing required notifications and inspections and obtaining utility connections. 

The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 183 economies. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in June 2011.

  • Building a warehouse

  • Estimated Warehouse Value: XAF 250,000,000
  • City: Malabo

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 Buy stamped paper

License and water connection applications to the municipality must be made on stamped paper.
1 day XAF 4,000
2 Request authorization for building license at the Municipality

The license application includes all architectural and building plans, measurements, and cost assessments. The application must be submitted on stamped paper. The file is forwarded for review to the Technical Office and subsequently passed to the mayor for signature. If the Technical Office doubts that the proposed project budget fits the project size and nature, a site visit might be undertaken. The cost is 1% of warehouse value.

Agency: Municipality
15 days XAF 2,500,000
3 Pay fees at the bank and obtain payment receipt

Payment can be made only after the first approval of the dossier.

Agency: Commercial Bank
1 day no charge
4 Deposit payment receipt at the municipality



Agency: Municipality
1 day no charge
5 Obtain building permit

After the municipality receives the payment receipt, the dossier is again authorized and finally approved by signature of the mayor. If the mayor is traveling, this procedure may take longer than the standard 2–3 days.

Agency: Municipality
30 days no charge
6 Receive inspection from the Municipality

Inspections are random and occur during construction. A final inspection or occupancy permit is not required.

Agency: Municipality
1 day no charge
7 Request authorization for water connection

The water connection is undertaken by the municipality. As with building license application, the application must be made on stamped paper (XAF 2000 each). After the connection, a municipal tax of XAF 100,000 is due twice a year.

Agency: Municipality
14 days XAF 75,000
* 8 Pay for water connection

A payment receipt is required to obtain authorization for the water connection.

Agency: Commercial Bank
1 day no charge
* 9 Deposit proof of payment and obtain final payment receipt from Municipality



Agency: Municipality
1 day no charge
10 Obtain authorization for water connection

After the fees are paid, the mayor approves the application for water connection.

Agency: Municipality
14 days no charge
11 Receive connection to water services

Once the authorization is obtained, municipal engineers connect the building to the network.

Agency: Municipality
45 days no charge
12 Request telephone line

Companies must make the request in writing. Payment is done at the phone company, CETESA.

Agency: CETESA
1 day XAF 23,000
13 Receive on-site visit and connection to telephone line

The technician visits the site and installs the phone connection. In saturated areas or areas outside of Malabo, it may take up to a year to obtain a phone connection. In addition, connection might be delayed because of heavy rains during the rainy season (July to September).

Agency: CETESA
22 days no charge
14 Request and obtain an engineer's assessment of property


14 days XAF 200,000
15 Register the building

Building registration is not required but is advised. Fees refer to official fees, as published in the Law of Fiscal Fees (Ley de Tazas Fiscales). The amount of fee is 3% of the value of warehouse construction.
7 days XAF 7,500,000
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.