The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) has approved a financing package of 7 billion CFA francs for Molsa Groupe S.A. to finalize the construction of a four-star hotel in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. The agreement, signed on August 18, 2025, represents a significant milestone in the country’s drive to expand its tourism sector and diversify its economy.
The hotel, to be named “Ureka”, will feature 145 guest rooms alongside a range of services including fine dining, reception facilities, and leisure amenities. BDEAC noted that the project is strategically aligned with efforts to strengthen the hospitality sector and enhance Equatorial Guinea’s appeal as a travel destination. “The realization of this project will significantly reinforce the tourism sector by improving the supply of quality accommodation and stimulating the country’s attractiveness,” the bank emphasized.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative carries strong economic spillovers. The Ureka Hotel is expected to generate around 100 permanent jobs once operational, in addition to numerous temporary positions during its construction phase. Local businesses tied to tourism supply chains are also projected to benefit, while the government anticipates higher tax revenues and an uplift in the value of national real estate assets.
The project is consistent with Equatorial Guinea’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. According to Vice Minister of Tourism Santiago Castro Nvono Bibang, the government has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish agency Levanta, specialized in state-led tourism promotion and marketing, to bolster the sector. The ambition is to raise tourism’s contribution to GDP from under 1% today to 10% by 2030.
BDEAC’s commitment builds on its significant footprint in Equatorial Guinea’s development financing. As of June 30, 2025, the bank had invested 406.2 billion CFA francs in the local economy, supporting 29 projects — 23 in the private sector and 6 in the public sector.
For its part, Molsa Groupe has been active in Equatorial Guinea since 2005, working with international partners to introduce business opportunities across hospitality, agriculture, and information technologies. The Ureka Hotel underscores its ambition to anchor new growth avenues for the country’s economy.
With this latest financing, BDEAC reaffirms its role as a key partner in advancing Equatorial Guinea’s economic transformation, supporting not only infrastructure but also long-term employment and tourism-led growth.
