Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Equatorial Guinea, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport proposes educational policies and plans to the Government and oversees their implementation. The country follows a centralised funding system where the central government allocates education funds to regional education inspectorates. These inspectorates then distribute resources to local prefectural and communal education directorates, creating a tiered, top-down flow of funding from the central level down to schools.
While the Ministry ensures compliance with the 2007 General Education Law and its regulations, it also coordinates the allocation and management of funds and support for both public and private educational institutions nationwide.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No information was found regarding the existence of a funding mechanism for transferring funds from the central government to local governments.
2. Education resources to schools
The government has made efforts to build more schools and improve existing facilities. However, no information was found regarding the existence of mechanisms for allocating resources to disadvantaged schools or schools that accommodate target groups.
The 2025 PEDS calls for the creation of a state-run administration which is responsible for providing schools with funds so that they may provide tuition-free education. 55 million has been budged for this implementation. The plan also calls for the prioritization of city outskirts for the construction of new schools.
3. Education resources to students and families
Programa Nacional del Transporte Escolar
The Programa Nacional del Transporte Escolar in Equatorial Guinea was officially launched in 2016 as part of the government's Plan Nacional Horizonte 2020. The programme provides free public school transportation for primary and secondary students, aiming to facilitate access to education by overcoming barriers related to travel to and from school. As of early 2016, the programme was announced to start operating in Malabo.
A 2017 report by the World Bank reported that government funds were spent on “scholarships and school incentives,” however, further details could not be found.
The programme for Establishing a Model for the Provision and Financing of the Education System aims to guarantee funding at all levels of education also aims to provide funding for scholarsahips at all levels of education. According to 2025 PEDS, the government aims to design a moderate payment plan for registration and tuition fees where the state participates in financing through fee waivers or reductions. The government also aims to implement a scholarship system based on household income to support other costs such as textbooks, tuition, food, and transportation. Scholarship support will also be provided for students in rural areas.
The 2025 PEDS also calls for the development of a national programme to provide scholarships for girls and women at all levels of education. The programme aims to increase representation of women in rural locations.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
In 2023, the Senate discussed a Draft Law on Social Protection aimed at safeguarding social cohesion and improving the quality of life for vulnerable citizens. Equatorial Guinea continues to develop its non-contributory social protection system.
In 2025, the Finance Ministry of Equatorial Guinea and UNICEF signed an agreement, in a joint effort to improve the protection and well-being of children and adolescents in Equatorial Guinea. It aims to strengthen collaboration in key areas related to the protection of the rights of children and adolescents, particularly in situations of vulnerability.
The 2025 PEDS programme provided 900,000,000 (2023-2025) to provide annual educational aid packages single parent families, large families, orphans.
5. School meal programmes
Guinea Equatorial does not have a national school meal programme. However the 2024 PEDS plan called for the establishment of a feed programme focused on children with nutritional problems and children in schools. The plan also seeks to develop educational programmes. The programme for Establishing a Model for the Provision and Financing of the Education System aims to guarantee funding at all levels of education for new elements such as student meals.
