Equatorial Guinea: Service Quality a Priority for New Telecom Operator TELGESA
October 22nd 2026
- Equatorial Guinea is preparing to launch TELGESA, a new telecom operator backed by a proposed $50 million investment from EGSA LOITA, with plans to deploy 260 telecom towers and achieve 90% national coverage.
- An infrastructure audit identified outdated equipment, limited data speeds, network congestion and dropped calls, highlighting the challenges facing the new operator.
- The planned launch before the end of 2026 remains uncertain, pending the finalisation of GECOMSA’s asset valuation, the mobilisation of financing and the deployment of infrastructure.
The Equatoguinean government is continuing preparations to establish TELGESA, the country’s future telecommunications operator. The company is expected to help improve service quality, a persistent concern amid accelerating digital transformation, growing demand for connectivity and rising consumer expectations.
Last week, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (pictured) met with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, telecommunications officials, representatives of GECOMSA and the State Attorney’s Office to review progress on the project. The authorities aim to resolve outstanding issues and sign an agreement with investor group EGSA LOITA before the end of October.
Network Coverage and Service Quality Challenges
EGSA LOITA has proposed a $50 million investment to support TELGESA’s establishment, including the deployment of 260 telecommunications towers. The project aims to achieve coverage across 90% of the country. According to the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index 2026, 2G mobile networks currently cover 85% of Equatorial Guinea’s population, compared with 13.4% for 4G.
An audit conducted by consultancy Cyberteq, with findings presented in April 2026, identified several shortcomings in existing infrastructure. The report highlighted deficiencies in equipment, data speeds, network capacity and technical planning. It also pointed to obsolete equipment, slow data transmission and call interruptions caused by network congestion.
In June, following a meeting on the new operator, the vice president criticised these problems in a post on X: “Citizens cannot continue to endure dropped calls, coverage problems or poor service. Telecommunications are now an essential tool for studying, working, doing business and communicating. It is therefore our duty to modernise the network and provide a service that meets the country’s needs.”
Launch Still Depends on Several Steps
It remains unclear whether the proposed timetable will be met, as the authorities had hoped to bring TELGESA into operation before the end of 2026. The project’s implementation remains contingent on several steps, including the completion of GECOMSA’s asset valuation. Consultancy firm KPMG has been tasked with determining the value of the public operator’s facilities, equipment and other assets to establish the state’s equity stake in the future operator.
Even if the agreement is signed within the announced timeframe, TELGESA’s launch before year-end remains uncertain. Establishing the management structure, securing financing and deploying infrastructure are among the steps that may need to be completed before commercial services begin. Equatoguinean consumers will only be able to subscribe once the new operator’s services become available.
Despite TELGESA’s ambitions and the announced investment, several structural factors could continue to affect telecommunications service quality in Equatorial Guinea. The country relies primarily on the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable for international connectivity. Its planned interconnection with Nigeria and the proposed connection to the MEDUSA cable, expected between 2029 and 2031, are intended, according to the authorities, to reduce internet service disruptions and provide a more stable, higher-quality connection.
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