Guinea Bissau’s economy continues to expand in spite of political gridlock and the suspension of donor flows to the country. Following growth of 4.9% in 2015, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected at above 5% in 2016, based on preliminary information suggesting a good 2016 cashew season. 

Guinea-Bissau is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, cashew nut exports, and foreign assistance. Two out of three Bissau-Guineans remain below the absolute poverty line. The legal economy is based on farming and fishing, but illegal logging and trafficking in narcotics are also important economic activities. Guinea-Bissau has substantial potential for development of mineral resources including phosphates, bauxite, and mineral sands.

As the sixth largest producer of cashew nuts in the world, the industry represents 20 percent of Guinea-Bissau’s total GDP as well as 85 percent of all jobs in the country. Despite being a vital part of Guinea-Bissau’s economy, the industry is extremely underdeveloped.

Its geographic situation makes Guinea-Bissau a convenient location for transporting goods to and from world markets. There are many people available to work, and there is experience, particularly in the farming and fishing sectors.

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Guinea-Bissau.

This World Bank site ranks the ease of starting a business in Guinea-Bissau

This site provides some basic facts on new company registration in Guinea-Bissau

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Guinea-Bissau.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Guinea stands at 35 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Guinea averaged 35.00 percent from 2004 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 35.00 percent in 2005 and a record low of 35.00 percent in 2005.

This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes and complying with postfiling procedures.

The top personal income tax rate is 20 percent

This site provides a table on tax obligations in Guinea-Bissau including VAT

This Deloitte site reports the VAT rate at 15%

Guinea-Bissau visa and passport requirements & Embassy and Colsulate addresses. Full detail on passports, visas and entry requirements

Learn more about Guinea-Bissau’s visa requirements for travel. Passport Health makes it simple for travelers to obtain travel visas

Tips on getting to and getting around Guinea-Bissau from real travelers and locals.

Taxis are available within the cities of Guinea-Bissau, but the toca-toca or minibus is the most popular choice for intra-city travel.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world.[1] This reality is reflected in the state of the country’s telecommunications development. 

This site provides current news on the telecom industry in Guinea-Bissau

Current news items on the labor market in Guinea-Bissau

This US Department of Labor site provides a commentary on child labor issues in Guinea-Bissau

Current news items on the labor market in Guinea-Bissau

 This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea Bissau cost of living and prices on all products groups and services. Prices comparison

This site provides a comparison of a bundle of goods and services in Guinea-Bissau compared to other countries in Africa

Education in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau is compulsory from age 7 to 14, although barely 55% of children attend the basic level, and just 25% complete the complementary 2 years that follow. As a result of this adult illiteracy remains high especially among the women.

Many international schools in Guinea Bissau offer an Internal Baccalaureate or General Certificate of Secondary Education. 

Overview of holidays and many observances in Guinea-Bissau during the year 2016

See “Safety and Security” on this US Department of State site

Bissau has a tropical wet and dry/ savanna climate with a pronounced dry season in the low-sun months , no cold season, wet season is in the high-sun months.

Current weather forecast for the major cities in Guinea-Bissau

Travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

This Site on business in Guinea-Bissau includes a brief comment on etiquette

History, language and culture guide for Guinea-Bissau including key historical events, information on the spoken languages, useful phrases, social conventions

See “Population and Society” on this CIA site

Discover the complete list of Guinea-Bissau’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017

A listing of key domographic facts and statistics

Guinea Bissau Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting

Guinea-Bissau customs information for individuals entering the country

A summary of import and export regulations

A listing of African country trade agreements including Guinea-Bissau

This site provides key information on Guinea-Bissau’s participation in the WTO. Guinea-Bissau has been a member of WTO since 31 May 1995 and  a member of GATT since 17 March 1994.

Guinea-Bissau guesthouse reviews from independent authors

Find 112 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 8 hotels in Guinea-Bissau.

35 real travel reviews, tips, and photos from real travelers and locals in Guinea-Bissau

Expert Guinea-Bissau travel guide including detailed information about everything you need to know about Guinea-Bissau.