The government on Tuesday demanded that large digital platforms, such as Meta, pay taxes in Equatorial Guinea on the profits they obtain from their activity in the country, following the model already applied in other countries around the world.
The Vice President of the Republic, SE Nguema Obiang Mangue, led this working session at the People's Palace in Malabo, the objective of which was to define the Executive's position on similar situations and to open negotiations with digital service distributors so that they contribute to the coffers of the Equatorial Guinean State.
This occurred during a meeting to congratulate the Ministry of Transport on the agreement reached with Starlink to market satellite internet in the country. In this regard, it was noted that the legal authority for selling the service should rest with ORTEL, under the supervision of the State Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence, and a call was made to train Equatorial Guinean technicians for the installation and maintenance of the equipment.
He has also ordered the opening of a specific bank account to control Starlink's income and service payments, indicating that oil companies have already been authorized to use the offshore network where they provide their services, and has asked for the cancellation of contracts for individuals acquired outside of official channels in order to centralize management.
Regarding Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the commission has stated that the company has developed a business without contributing to the state. Therefore, it has instructed the commission to discuss alternative forms of compensation with the company.
Apart from Meta, it has authorized the commission to talk with other similar applications, in order to have different options and choose the best one; both in use and in the cost to the State coffers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.
