Increasingly, public electricity companies are diversifying their activities to ensure their financial survival in the face of the energy transition or to secure new sources of revenue. In Equatorial Guinea, the company is considering entering a strategic segment.

The Electricity Company of Equatorial Guinea (SEGESA) is considering expanding its activities beyond energy distribution. Meeting on Friday, June 12th in Malabo with the heads of the state-owned company, the Vice President of the Republic, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, recommended the creation of a structure dedicated to the management and development of the national fiber optic network deployed by the company.

This approach is part of SEGESA’s national electricity grid modernization project. The company is leveraging nearly 2,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable installed along its infrastructure to improve network monitoring, billing management, operational tracking, and overall service efficiency. According to authorities, these investments could also serve as a foundation for the development of broadband and advanced technologies such as 5G.

Beyond its internal needs, SEGESA now plans to commercially exploit this infrastructure by making it available to other market players, particularly telecommunications operators. Such a strategy would allow the company to diversify its revenue streams while contributing to strengthening digital connectivity in the country.

This ambition comes as demand for digital services continues to grow in Equatorial Guinea. According to DataReportal, the country had approximately 1.16 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, representing a penetration rate of 60.4% of the population. The number of internet users increased by 28,000 in one year, illustrating the growing adoption of digital services by households, businesses, and government agencies.

SEGESA’s initiative aligns with a trend observed in some countries where public electricity companies are seeking to monetize their digital infrastructure. In Kenya, the state-owned electricity transmission company KETRACO is selling some of its fiber optic capacity to telecom operators to generate additional revenue and support broadband development.

For the Equatorial Guinean authorities, the project presents significant economic potential. Based on a study conducted by Huawei, the vice-president estimated that this infrastructure could create greater value for the state-owned company. He therefore recommended the establishment of a specialized entity, equipped with appropriate technical expertise and supported by an experienced technology partner.

Source: Agence Ecofin