Guinea - Country Profile - indoafrican.org

Country Profile - Guinea

General Information

Area: 245,857 sq km (94,926 sq miles).

Population: 7,164,823 (1996).

Population Density: 29.1 per sq km.

Capital: Conakry. Population: 1,091,483 (1996).

GEOGRAPHY: The Republic of Guinea is located in West Africa and bordered to the northwest by Guinea-Bissau, the north by Senegal and Mali, the east by Côte d’Ivoire, the south by Liberia and the southwest by Sierra Leone. Guinea’s many rivers supply water to much of West Africa. The River Niger flows north from the southern highlands into Mali before turning south again through Niger and Nigeria. The coastal plain is made up of mangrove swamps, while inland are the Fouta Djalon hills which form several distinct ranges and plateaux over the whole of western Guinea. In the northeast, savannah plains of the Sahel region stretch into Mali. To the south are mountains known as the Guinea Highlands.

Government: Republic since 1958. Gained independence from France in 1958. Head of State: President Lansana Conté since 1984. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ladime Sidime since 1999.

Language: French is the official language. Susu, Malinké and Fula are local languages.

Religion: 74 per cent Muslim, with Animist and Roman Catholic minorities.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD service is available. Country code: 224. The communication is relatively poor and outgoing international calls must be made through the operator. Limited telephone and fax lines are usually available 1800-0600.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks covering main inhabited areas are operated by Celtel Guinea (website: www.msi-cellular.com), Sotelgui, Spacetel Guinee and Telecel Guinee SARL.

Post: There are numerous post offices in the capital.

Internet: ISPs include ETI-Bull and BINNTA.

Press: Newspapers include Horoya (official, daily), Le Lynx (satirical, weekly), L’Indépendant and La Lance (weekly), Journal Officiel de Guinée (official, fortnightly) and L’Evénement de Guinée (monthly).

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes No
Australian Yes Yes No
Canadian Yes Yes No
USA Yes Yes No
OtherEU Yes Yes No
Japanese Yes Yes No

PASSPORTS: Passports valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond date of departure required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals of Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Tunisia for a maximum stay of 3 months;

(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within
24 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business: £65 (single-entry for a stay of up to 1 month); £90 (double-entry for a stay of up to 3 months). Transit: approximately £65.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). UK nationals may apply to the Chancery Consulate General of the Republic of Guinea in London (see Contact Addresses section).

Application requirements: (a) One application form. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Passport with a remaining validity of 6 months after intended length of stay. (d) Proof of sufficient funds and letter of invitation or hotel reservation. (e) If travelling on business, a letter from the sponsoring company, if available.

Working days required: 2.

Money

Currency: Guinea Franc (FG) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of FG5000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of FG25, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange: Hotels will accept some foreign currencies in payment. Inter-bank fund transfers are frequently difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish.

Credit & debit cards: Limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Euros.

Currency restrictions: Import or export of local currency is prohibited. Import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided declared on arrival; export is limited to the amount declared on arrival.

Note: It is compulsory to exchange a certain amount of foreign currency. The amount depends on the length of stay specified in the visa, and is at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Unused currency can sometimes be re-exchanged - again at the discretion of the authorities. Travellers are advised to check that the amounts exchanged have been entered correctly onto the declaration form.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Guinea Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug '03 Nov '03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 3280.59 3381.17 3649.60 3594.53
$1.00= 2056.50 1992.50 2005.00 2012.50

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1430-1630.

Duty Free

Duty-Free: The following goods may be imported into Guinea without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1kg of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage (opened); a reasonable quantity of perfume.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 20 Ascension. Aug 15 Assumption. Aug 27 Anniversary of Women’s Revolt. Sep 28 Referendum Day. Oct 2 Republic Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 10 Laila toul Kadir (day after the night’s vigil). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 22 Day of 1970 Invasion. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 28 Easter Monday. Apr 21 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension. Aug 15 Assumption. Aug 27 Anniversary of Women’s Revolt. Sep 28 Referendum Day. Oct 2 Republic Day. Nov Laila toul Kadir (day after the night’s vigil); Day of 1970 Invasion. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes 1
Cholera 2 No
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Guinea. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.

3: Immunisation against typhoid and poliomyelitis is often recommended.

4: A malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are present. Hepatitis A, C and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Epidemics of meningococcal disease may occur, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Dengue fever and TB both occur. Immunisation against diphtheria is sometimes recommended.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Health insurance is essential. There are rudimentary medical, dental and optical facilities in Conakry. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Travel - International

Note: Visitors are strongly recommended not to travel to the borders with Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Travel to Nzerekore is advised against due to violence between different ethnic groups. For further information, contact a local government advice department.

AIR: Guinea’s national airline is Guinee Airlines (J9). Air France operates five flights a week from London to Conakry, via Paris. Aeroflot and KLM also fly direct from Europe. Air Afrique operates from New York to Dakar, from where connecting flights to Guinea are available. Other airlines serving Guinea incude Ghana Airways.

Approximate flight times: From Conakry to London is 11 hours (including a stopover time in Paris or Brussels of up to 3 hours).

International airports: Conakry (CKY) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city. Taxis are available to the city.

Note: Foreigners at Conakry Airport are particular targets for pickpockets and persons posing as officials who will offer assistance and then make off with bags, purses and wallets. Being met at the airport by travel agents, business contacts, family members or friends lessens the risk of this.

Departure tax: None.

SEA/RIVER: The fast hydrofoil service along the coast from Conakry to Freetown may resume operation when the civil war in Sierra Leone is over. There is a ferry to Mali which operates when the river is high enough.

ROAD: There are road links with Danané (Côte d’Ivoire), Bamako (Mali), Tambacounda (Senegal) and Freetown (Sierra Leone; border area unsafe at present). Bus services are available to the neighbouring countries (except Sierra Leone), but services can be unreliable and timetables may be purely theoretical (see also Travel - Internal section). Visitors should also note that political instability is persisting in some neighbouring countries - notably in Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Check with an Embassy or relevant organisation for up-to-date travel advice.

Travel - Internal

AIR: Guinee Airlines operates internal services to some of the main towns, such as Boké, Conakry, Labé, Kankan, Kissidougou, Macenta, Nzérékoré and Siguiri. Schedules are erratic.

RAIL: There are no rail services at present.

ROAD: Roads are in poor condition and little used, and the minor roads are overgrown with bush. Travel by road is often impossible in the rainy season (May-Oct). The roads between Conakry (via Kindia) and Kissidougou and from Boké to Kamsar are both paved, as is the road to Freetown. Traffic drives on the right. In an effort to counter urban crime, the Guinean Government maintains roadblocks from 0000-0600. Bus: The government bus company, SOGETRAG, operates services from Conakry to most other towns. The buses are fairly comfortable and good value. Taxi: These are available, although fares should be negotiated in advance. Bush taxis, which usually cover smaller distances than buses, take up to seven passengers.

URBAN: Buses and taxis operate cheaply within Conakry. It is not usual to tip taxi drivers.

Accommodation

HOTELS : In Conakry there are a few fairly expensive hotels of a good standard. In addition, the city centre also has a number of good-value hotels with basic, but adequate, facilities. Outside the city centre, accommodation gets sparser, but there are hotels available, for instance in Labé, Kindia and Dalaba. Visitors are advised to book in advance and obtain written confirmation.

REST HOUSES: These are available in most of the major towns; enquire locally.

Sport & Activities

In Landreah is the 28 September Stadium where numerous sporting events are held. Football is the most popular sport and the national team is of a good standard. The best beaches for swimming are on the Îles de Los (which lie just off the coast near Conakry), the Île de Roume and the Île de Kassa, but currents can be strong and swimmers are advised to exercise care and follow local advice. Hiking is possible in the attractive Fouta Djalon region.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Restaurants, except in the capital where Western-style food is available, generally serve local dishes including jollof rice, stuffed chicken with groundnuts, and fish dishes. These are usually served with rice and may be spicy. Staples are cassava, yams and maize. Guineans are fond of very hot maize soup, served from calabashes.
Main hotels, mostly in the capital, have reasonable restaurants where a wide variety of alcoholic beverages is served, including good West African brands of beer. This is also available in local bars.

Nightlife: Although there are theatres, nightclubs and cinemas, Guineans prefer to make their own entertainment. In the streets people can often be seen gathered together to dance, sing and play traditional musical instruments or home-made guitars. Conakry is a dynamic centre for music and the singing of the Kindia people is renowned.

Shopping: Although department stores in the major cities are poorly stocked, local markets sell a unique display of goods. Special purchases include brightly coloured, distinctive Guinean clothes, woodcarvings, leather rugs in bold black-and-white designs, skins, locally produced records, calabashes and jewellery. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1800.

Special Events: The main events celebrated in Guinea are Muslim holy days and feasts. The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Guinea Republic:
Feb Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). May Mouloud (Prophet’s Anniversary). Nov Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).

Social Conventions: Although Muslim customs are less strict than in the Arab world, beliefs and traditions should be respected by tourists. Casual dress is acceptable. Street crime is relatively common. It is important to greet people and ask them how they are before starting a conversation. Guineans always use titles when addressing others, so the visitor should do likewise (Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle etc). Photography: A permit (applied for in advance) has to be obtained from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité when photographing government buildings, military and transportation facilities or public works. It is inadvisable to photograph buildings at present, and visitors should always ask local people if they want to photograph them. Tipping: A 5 per cent service charge will usually be included in the bill.

Business Profile

Economy: Given its resources, Guinea should not be suffering its current impoverished condition in which the annual per capita income is just over US$1000. The majority of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, producing cassava and rice as staples, plus fruit, palm, groundnuts and sometimes coffee as cash crops. Fisheries have undergone major growth in the last 10 years. The main part of the industrial economy is mining. Guinea has huge reserves of bauxite (perhaps one-quarter of the world’s total) which account for more than 90 per cent of export earnings; there are also substantial diamond deposits. Guinea also boasts massive hydroelectric power potential, some of which has been tapped. The country’s economic progress has, however, been hampered by the absence of the necessary legal, corporate and governmental machinery, allied to corruption and maladministration. For the time being, Guinea will continue to depend on substantial foreign aid, principally from France, although it is also deriving growing benefit from burgeoning regional co-operation: Cameroon, for example, processes much Guinean bauxite ore to produce aluminium. Guinea is a member of both the Mano River Union (with Liberia and Sierra Leone) and of the Gambia River Development Organisation (with The Gambia and Senegal). The country is also a member of the West African economic community, ECOWAS. France (the main recipient of Guinea’s exports) and the USA are the country’s main trading partners.

Business: Appointments should be made in advance. Tropical-weight suits and ties are worn by some business visitors, but these are not essential. A knowledge of French is helpful. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1630, Fri 0800-1300.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Guinée, BP 545, Conakry (tel: 444 495; fax: 441 837).

Business Profile

Business: Appointments should be made in advance. Tropical-weight suits and ties are worn by some business visitors, but these are not essential. A knowledge of French is helpful.

Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1630, Fri 0800-1300.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Guinée, BP 545, Conakry (tel: 444 495; fax: 441 837).

Climate

Climate: The climate is tropical and humid with a wet and a dry season. Guinea is one of the wettest countries in West Africa. The wet season lasts from May to October; dry season lasts from November to May.

Required clothing: Tropical or washable cottons throughout the year. A light raincoat or umbrella is needed during the rainy season.