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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Equatorial Guinea and Africa's oil corruption

Kleptocracy is corruption that loots state resources for private benefit as in Equatorial Guinea Africa that is rich to 1% and poor to 99%.

Kleptocracy is a form of political and government corruption. Equatorial Guinea is a small Spanish speaking in West Africa that despite the country's economic windfall the people are very poor.

Equatorial Guinea and Africa's oil corruption

Kleptocracy is a form of political and government corruption where the government exists to increase the personal wealth and political power of its officials and the ruling class at the expense of the wider population, often with pretense of honest service.


The Capital Port of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

The Capital Port of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a small Spanish speaking in West Africa that has recently struck oil. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Africa's third largest oil exporter below the Sahara desert.

Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, improvements in the population's living standards have been slow to develop, Kleptocracy and corruption are hurting its people.

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. Between 2000 and 2011, the African country was the world’s fastest-growing economy, with output growth averaging 17 percent. Equatorial Guinea is the eighth-largest crude oil reserve holder in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 1.1 billion barrels of proved reserves as of January 2013.

Despite being among the top five largest oil producers in Sub-Saharan Africa, Equatorial Guinea does not have any refining capacity. The country consumed 2,500 barrels per day of petroleum in 2012, all of which was imported. The largest foreign investors in Equatorial Guinea are U.S. companies, particularly ExxonMobil, Hess, Marathon, and Noble Energy.

Equatorial Guinea's economy is heavily reliant on its oil and natural gas industry, which accounted for almost 95% of its gross domestic product and 99% of its export earnings in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Emphasis on the oil and natural gas industries has led to the lack of development in non-oil sectors, and its oil fields Zafiro, Ceiba, Okume and Alen are slowing down in output production.

Equatorial Guinea does not participate in The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). EITI is a global coalition of governments, companies and civil society working collectively to improve openness and accountable management of revenues from natural resources.

The country did however apply and obtained candidate status in 2008 but did not follow through with the guidelines to become a member EITI country. Equatorial Guinea exports crude oil to markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

The United States is one of the largest importers of crude oil from the country and received 41,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 2012. However, few people have benefited from the oil and natural gas riches as the country ranks near the bottom of the July 2014 UN human development index (HDI).

Additional Information on Equatorial Guinea economy

Equatorial Guinea grossed $15.57 billion in 2013

Equatorial Guinea gross national income is $21,972.27 per person

Total population in 2013 757,000 people

Equatorial Guinea ranks 144 out of 187 countries on the HDI

Health expenditure 3.95% of GDP

Population living below $2 a day 14%

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Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.