Malabo, the city that looks out onto the world

As the host of the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS, Malabo invites dialogue. Everything in this island city of Equatorial Guinea seems designed to serve as a gathering place. It’s a picture-perfect scene.

As you approach Malabo, the sea seems to slow down time. The waters of the Gulf of Guinea shimmer with silvery reflections, while the silhouette of Bioko Island gradually comes into view. Nestled between the waves of the Atlantic and volcanic landscapes covered in tropical rainforest, the city emerges as a unique, almost secret stopover, suspended between nature and modernity. Malabo does not reveal itself immediately. It unfolds in glimpses: a palm-lined avenue, a pastel-colored facade, a church with a colonial feel, a bustling market where the scents of spices and tropical fruits mingle with the chatter of people. The city exudes the gentle charm of island towns, but beneath this apparent tranquility lies a quiet energy—that of a region in motion.

It is against this backdrop—both serene and vibrant—that the^11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) will take place. From March 27 to 29, 2026, this city in Equatorial Guinea will become a meeting point between continents. Leaders, experts, and development actors from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific will gather there to collectively devise responses to the challenges of the 21st century: economic transformation, climate resilience, innovation, and new forms of international solidarity.

Memory and Modernity

Malabo seems tailor-made for this role. For the city embodies a history of encounters and transitions. Strolling through its streets, one discovers architecture that reflects various eras: historic buildings inherited from the past stand side by side with contemporary infrastructure looking toward the future. This coexistence of history and modernity gives the historic capital a unique identity—that of a city moving forward without forgetting its roots.

But what truly sets Malabo apart is its insularity. Surrounded by the ocean, the city has learned to turn distance into an opportunity. Here, the horizon is never a limit. The Atlantic becomes a constant invitation to travel, a natural bridge between Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. In a world seeking new paths for cooperation, Malabo almost seems like a symbol: that of a quiet crossroads connecting distant lands but shared aspirations.

In its bustling neighborhoods, a curious and enterprising young generation breathes new life into the city. Students, creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators are gradually shaping a new urban identity. Their ambition is both simple and bold: to make this island a place of opportunity, a laboratory of ideas capable of engaging with the rest of the world.

Towering above it all is the majestic Pico Basile. This imposing volcano dominates the island like a natural lighthouse. From its heights, the view stretches out over the ocean as far as the eye can see, highlighting the city’s unique position: small in size, yet vast in its outlook.

So we come to understand that Malabo is not just a destination. It is a promise—the promise of an island Africa, inventive and open to the world, transforming its maritime horizon into a space for dialogue and the future. A city that, from its volcanic island, looks far into the distance and invites the world to look along with it.