H.E. Dr. Crisantos Obama Ondo, Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the United States, brings to diplomacy a foundation built on environmental policy, forest conservation, and multilateral development. Before arriving in Washington, he played a central role in designing Equatorial Guinea’s National System of Protected Areas and in shaping regional forest governance across the Congo Basin through institutions that now guide conservation policy in Central Africa. His career reflects how science, negotiation, and national service can work together in pursuit of practical outcomes.
In this interview, Ambassador Obama Ondo speaks directly about leadership, public service, and Equatorial Guinea’s steady shift from a resource-dependent economy toward a diversified model centered on clean energy, agriculture, critical minerals, technology, tourism, and education. He addresses U.S. -Equatorial Guinea relations, explains the country’s evolving investment framework, and outlines ongoing legal and institutional reforms. He also discusses climate cooperation, academic exchange, and the role of diplomacy in translating national capacity into opportunities that improve daily life for citizens.
This conversation presents a clear picture of how Equatorial Guinea is positioning itself as a reliable partner in energy transition, sustainable development, and regional stability, while strengthening its strategic engagement with the United States.
Your diplomatic career has taken you from environmental and forestry work into international service. How did those early experiences shape your outlook on leadership and public service?
My career began in the environmental and forestry sector, as part of a multidisciplinary team that, after years of technical research, proposed the creation of Equatorial Guinea’s National System of Protected Areas, which is now fully operational. We later contributed to the convergence of forest policies in the Congo Basin, which led to the establishment of the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), its Convergence Plan, and the Central African Protected Areas Network (RAPAC).
These efforts demonstrated that public leadership requires rigorous analysis, negotiation skills, and durable solutions to complex challenges: balancing humans and nature, addressing poverty, managing natural resources, and responding to the socioeconomic needs of communities. Diplomacy was not a coincidence but rather the natural continuation of a mission rooted in building consensus for the common good.
Looking back on your journey from Equatorial Guinea to your current role in Washington, which personal experiences most influenced your decision to dedicate your life to diplomacy?
My early years negotiating multilateral environmental policies revealed that national challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. When I was appointed Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the FAO, IFAD, and WFP in Rome, I confirmed that development, food security, climate action, and sustainability are global priorities that require dialogue, cooperation, and strategic vision.
Transitioning from forestry management in Central Africa to agricultural diplomacy in Rome, and now to Washington – one of the world’s political centers – has been enriching and demanding. I learned that diplomacy is essential for transforming a country’s potential into tangible opportunities for its citizens.
Since assuming your duties in the United States, what priorities have you set for your mission, and which recent developments in U.S.–Equatorial Guinea relations have been most encouraging to you?
A key component of our diplomatic work in Washington, D.C., is strategic communication. Our role is to share accurate information about Equatorial Guinea: its sociopolitical stability, climate of peace, security, and its capacity to provide predictability for investors. This includes highlighting that our country enforces tax incentives aligned with international standards, including the OECD’s GloBE rules.
The true opportunity lies in our economic diversification agenda, aimed at transforming national wealth into sustainable prosperity. The focus includes reliable and clean energy, modern agriculture, critical minerals for energy transition, technology and innovation, and ecological and medical tourism. This program also involves strengthening the legal framework against corruption and promoting human rights, led by the Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, with the support of U.S. legal institutions.
The United States is Equatorial Guinea’s leading economic partner, and our nation continues to encourage American companies to explore new sectors and investment opportunities, deepening bilateral relations and enhancing the well-being of both peoples.
As Equatorial Guinea advances economic diversification beyond oil and gas, which sectors do you believe hold the strongest potential for long-term cooperation with the United States?
There are strategic opportunities in:
- Clean and reliable energy
- Modern agriculture and agri-technology
- Critical minerals for the global energy transition
- Digital industry, artificial intelligence, and innovation
- Ecological and medical tourism
- Hydrocarbons
Equatorial Guinea seeks not just investment, but strategic partnerships based on transparency, knowledge transfer, and shared benefits, generating jobs, technical training, and opportunities for our youth. This approach opens the door for U.S. companies looking for safe, stable, and forward-looking emerging markets.
Given your background in environmental and forest management, how is Equatorial Guinea contributing to global climate efforts, and what partnerships would you like to strengthen with American institutions?
We are custodians of part of the Congo Basin forests – the planet’s second lung. We protect ecosystems that capture carbon globally and safeguard critical biodiversity. At the same time, we work to ensure that environmental protection translates into real benefits for our communities.
We aim to strengthen cooperation with U.S. universities, technology centers, research institutions, and private companies to develop joint projects in forest conservation, renewable energy, blue economy initiatives, agri-technology, and climate innovation. We firmly believe that shared science multiplies development.
How do you view the role of education and cultural exchange between Equatorial Guinea and the United States in shaping future leadership and mutual understanding?
Education and cultural exchange are pillars of long-term cooperation. We want more Equatoguinean students to access academic, scientific, and technological opportunities in the United States, while also encouraging greater understanding of our culture, our national identity, and our development vision.
Education shapes leaders, but it also connects societies and builds trust between nations. Every student who crosses borders becomes a bridge between countries and a catalyst for transformation in their community.
When you reflect on your diplomatic service, what legacy would you like your tenure to leave in strengthening the relationship between Equatorial Guinea and the United States?
I hope that my work contributes to consolidating a respectful bilateral framework and, at the same time, to promoting a more diverse, balanced, and sustainable relationship between our nations—one based not only on hydrocarbons, but also on science, innovation, clean energy, modern agriculture, technology, education, and environmental protection.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the pragmatic cooperation approach of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, aimed at supporting development and security in Africa—a vision reflected in the principle of “not giving fish, but teaching how to fish,” as a path toward the continent’s emancipation. I conclude by emphasizing that diplomacy focused on concrete results generates real opportunities for nations. Therefore, if we succeed in establishing solid foundations for transparent cooperation, with shared benefits and a direct impact on the people of Equatorial Guinea, we will have fulfilled a historic responsibility.
