Guinea-Bissau Country Report

A small West African country, Guinea-Bissau has experienced perennial instability since independence from Portugal in 1974, marked by coups, assassinations, and a civil war. The country's extremely underdeveloped economy is hampered by political instability and riddled with corruption, rendering foreign investment opportunities very limited. Guinea-Bissau has also emerged as a major transit point for South American narcotraffickers, posing reputational risks for foreign investors due to alleged links between such organized crime syndicates and political, military and economic elites.

Opportunistic violent and petty crime is a concern and has been on the rise in recent years, although levels are generally considered to be lower than in some other countries in the region. Guinea-Bissau is one of the least developed and poorest nations in the world, with massive foreign debt and an economy that relies heavily on foreign aid and agriculture with little industry to speak of. Illiteracy is common in some areas. Telecommunication infrastructure is extremely limited throughout the country with landline connections being practically nonexistent. The vast majority of Guinea-Bissau lacks even the most rudimentary medical care, and the country has one of the highest rates of malaria in the world.

Opportunistic petty theft and violent crime rates have been on the rise in recent years, driven by poverty and enduring political crises, with foreign travelers often being targeted due to their perceived relative wealth. Guinea-Bissau experiences periodic civil unrest, with a protracted political crisis over the past years being the key driver of protests and associated violence. Guinea-Bissau has historically experienced spill-over from the long-running Casamance conflict in neighboring Senegal, with armed separatists and criminal gangs known to operate along the border. No known terrorist groups are operating in the country, although Guinea-Bissau has been used as a transit point for extremists in the past and there have been concerns that the country's participation in regional peacekeeping and anti-militant operations may make it a potential target for extremists.

Only a few airlines offer services to Guinea-Bissau, including several with poor safety records, and flights can be undependable, with major delays and cancelations being common.

Road conditions and driving standards are generally hazardous, posing a significant threat to travelers.

Over the years Bissau Freeport has been internationally recognized as one of the safest and most efficient ports in West Africa. Bissau offers a prompt, reliable and value-for-money service. The port has well developed facilities capable of handling any type of cargo.

The country’s energy infrastructure is underdeveloped and prone to frequent outages, making it largely unreliable. Guinea-Bissau’s communications infrastructure is extremely limited, with no landline connections in the country and mobile data networks being unreliable outside of the capital.

The country is considered both an unlikely sponsor of and unlikely target for cyber attacks; its defenses against such an attack are understood to be weak.

Guinea-Bissau is prone to flooding during the June to October rainy season, particularly along its low-lying coastline. The country’s coastline is also vulnerable to environmental damage from erosion, rising tides and increased salinization. The dry season can be accompanied by periods of drought. Although Bissau was declared mine-free in 2006, landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination presents a significant risk in many areas outside of the capital, particularly in Bafata, Oio, Biombo, Quinara, and Tombali.

Malaria is extremely common in Guinea-Bissau, while schistosomiasis, African sleeping sickness, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis are also present. Outbreaks of cholera are also common. Medical facilities are limited, even in the capital, and most non-routine procedures require evacuation to a country with more advanced medical facilities. Pharmaceutical and medical supply shortages are also common. Tap water is not considered fit for consumption unless boiled or chemically treated.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced perennial instability, characterized by persistent political and institutional fragility, since independence in 1974. Corruption is endemic across the government, civil service and security apparatus, exacerbated by the country's weak economy and widespread poverty. Rule of law also remains weak. The United Nations, United States and European Union continue to enforce targeted sanctions against 11 individuals who were allegedly involved in a 2012 military coup. These individuals are subject to a travel ban and asset freezes.