WT/TPR/S/370/Rev.1  
21 September 2018  
(18-5866) Page: 1/95 
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY THE SECRET ARIAT  
GUINEA 
Revision  
This report, prepared for the fourth Trade Policy Review of Guinea, has been drawn up by the 
WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement 
establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing 
the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from Guinea on its trade policies and prac tices.  
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addresse d to Jacques Degbelo 
(tel.: 022 739 5583), Catherine Hennis -Pierre (tel.: 022 739 5640), Michae l Kolie (022 739 5931) 
and Alya  Belkhodja (tel.: 022 739 5162).  
 
Document WT/TPR/G/370 co ntains the policy statement submitted by Guinea.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:  This report was drafted in  French.  
  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  CONTENTS  
SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRON MENT  ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
1.1   Main features of the economy  ................................ ................................ .......................  8 
1.2   Recent economic developments  ................................ ................................ .................... 10 
1.3   Trade and investment performance  ................................ ................................ ............... 12 
1.3.1    Trends a nd patterns in merchandise and services trade  ................................ ................ 12 
1.3.2    Foreign direct investment trends and structure  ................................ ............................ 13 
2   TRADE AND INVEST MENT REGIMES ................................ ................................ ...........  16 
2.1   Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 16 
2.2   Trade po licy formulation and objectives  ................................ ................................ ......... 17 
2.3   Trade agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ ............ 17 
2.3.1    WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 17 
2.3.2    Regional and preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ........ 19 
2.3.3    African Union (AU)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...19 
2.3.4    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  ................................ ............... 19 
2.3.5    Relations with the European Union  ................................ ................................ ............. 19 
2.3.6    Relations with the United States  ................................ ................................ ................ 20 
2.4   Investment regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....20 
3   TRADE POLICIES A ND PRACTICES BY MEAS URE ................................ ........................  23 
3.1   Measures directly affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ............... 23 
3.1.1    Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  ................................ ........................ 23 
3.1.2    Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 26 
3.1.3    Customs duties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 27 
3.1.3.1    MFN applied tariff  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..27 
3.1.3.2    Tariff bindings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......32 
3.1.3.3    Duty and tax concessions  ................................ ................................ ....................... 33 
3.1.3.4    Tariff preferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..34 
3.1.4    Other taxes affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .................... 34 
3.1.5    Internal taxes ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 35 
3.1.5.1    Value added tax (VAT)  ................................ ................................ ........................... 35 
3.1.5.2    Fixed import levy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..36 
3.1.5.3    Excise duty  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 36 
3.1.6    Import prohibitions, restrictions and licensing  ................................ ............................. 37 
3.1.7    Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures  ................................ ................. 37 
3.1.8    Other measures affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .............. 38 
3.2   Measures directly affecting exports  ................................ ................................ ............... 38 
3.2.1    Procedures and requirements  ................................ ................................ .................... 38 
3.2.2    Taxes and levies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......39 
3.2.3    Export prohibitions, restrictions and licensing  ................................ .............................. 40 WT/TPR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  3.2.4    Export subsidies and promotion  ................................ ................................ ................. 40 
3.2.5    Export financing, insurance and guarantees  ................................ ................................ 41 
3.3   Measures affecting production and trade  ................................ ................................ .......41 
3.3.1    Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 41 
3.3.2    Standards and technical regulations  ................................ ................................ ........... 42 
3.3.2.1    Standards, technical regulations, testing, certification and accreditation  ...................... 42 
3.3.2.2    Packaging, label ling and marking  ................................ ................................ ............ 44 
3.3.3    Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  ................................ ................................ ....45 
3.3.4    Competition and price control policy  ................................ ................................ ........... 47 
3.3.4.1    Competition policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ 48 
3.3.4.2    Price regulation ................................ ................................ ................................ .....48 
3.3.5    State trading, State -owned enterprises and privatization  ................................ .............. 49 
3.3.6    Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ......................... 52 
3.3.7    Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ........................ 54 
4   TRADE POLICIES B Y SECTOR  ................................ ................................ .....................  55 
4.1   Agriculture, forestry and fishing  ................................ ................................ ................... 55 
4.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 55 
4.1.2    Agricultural policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....57 
4.1.3    Trade policy by principal category of agricultural products  ................................ ............ 59 
4.1.3.1    Rice ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 59 
4.1.3.2    Coffee, cocoa, cashew  ................................ ................................ ........................... 60 
4.1.3.3    Other crops  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 61 
4.1.3. 4   Livestock and animal products  ................................ ................................ ................ 62 
4.1.3.5    Fisheries  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 64 
4.1.3.5.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 64 
4.1.3.5.2    Regulation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 65 
4.1.3.5.3    International trade in fisheries products  ................................ ................................ 66 
4.2   Mining and energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......67 
4.2.1    Mining and quarrying  ................................ ................................ ............................... 67 
4.2.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 67 
4.2.1.2    Mining regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......69 
4.2.1.3   Environmental and social considerations  ................................ ................................ ..72 
4.2.2    Energy and water  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....73 
4.2.2.1    Hydrocarbons  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......73 
4.2.2.2    Electricity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 74 
4.2.2.3    Water  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 75 
4.3   Manufacturing sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..76 
4.4   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 76 
4.4.1    Transport services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...76 
4.4.1.1    General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 76 WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.4.1.2    Maritime transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ 77 
4.4.1.3    Port services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 78 
4.4.1.4    Road transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....80 
4.4.1.5    Rail transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......80 
4.4.1.6    Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 81 
4.4.2   Telecommunications and postal services  ................................ ................................ .....82 
4.4.2.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 82 
4.4.2.2    Regulation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 83 
4.4.2.3    Postal services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......85 
4.4.3   Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....86 
4.4.3.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 86 
4.4.3.2    Banking system  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....86 
4.4.3.3    Microfinance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 87 
4.4.3.4    Insurance services  ................................ ................................ ................................ 88 
4.4.4    Tourism and crafts  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...88 
4.4.4.1    Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 88 
4.4.4.2    Crafts  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 89 
4.4.5    Professional and business services  ................................ ................................ ............. 89 
5   APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 91 
 
CHARTS  
 
Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2015  ................................ ...................... 14 
Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2015  ................................ ....................... 15 
Chart 3.1 Breakdown of the applied MFN tariff rates, 2017  ................................ ...................... 28 
Chart 3. 2 Applied MFN duty rates, by WTO product group, 2011 and 2017  ................................ 30 
Chart 3.3 Escalation of applied MFN tariff rates by manufacturing industry, 2017  ....................... 32 
Chart 4.1 Main agricultural exports, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ .....56 
Chart 4.2 Main agricultural imports, 2012 -2016 ................................ ................................ .....57 
Chart 4.3 Rice imports, 2012 -2016 ................................ ................................ ...................... 60 
Chart 4.4 Livestock  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 62 
Chart 4.5 Imports of meats and poultry offal, 2009 -2016 ................................ ........................ 63 
Chart 4.6 Mining products: prices and exports, 2010 -2016 ................................ ...................... 67 
Chart 4.7 Volume of container traffic in West Africa, 2016  ................................ ....................... 79 
Chart 4.8 International departures, 2011 -2017 ................................ ................................ ......81 
 WT/TPR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  TABLES  
 
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2011 -2016 ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -2016 ................................ ................................ ........... 11 
Table 2.1 Notifications by Guinea to the WTO, 2011 -2017 ................................ ....................... 18 
Table 2.2 Benefits under the Investment Code ................................ ................................ .......21 
Table 3.1 Structure of MFN duties, 2011 and 2017  ................................ ................................ .29 
Table 3.2 Brief analysis of MFN duties, 2011 and 2017  ................................ ........................... 31 
Table 3.3 Number of lines with applied rates higher than the bound rates  ................................ .33 
Table 3.4 Exemptions and oth er exceptions to the normal VAT regime  ................................ ......35 
Table 3.5 Customs revenue, 2011, 2014 -2016 ................................ ................................ ......37 
Table 3.6 Tariffs for analysing samples of imported products  ................................ ................... 44 
Table 3.7 Tariffs for verifying the quality of goods leaving the national territory  ......................... 44 
Table 3.8 Agri -food standards approved in 2015  ................................ ................................ ....45 
Table 3.9 Enterprises with a State holding, 2017  ................................ ................................ ...49 
Table 3.10 Government procurement statistics, 2011 -2016 ................................ ..................... 53 
Table 3.11 Statistics on industrial property right s, 2011 -2017 ................................ ................. 54 
Table 4.1 Food crops, 2012 -2017 ................................ ................................ ......................... 56 
Table 4.2 Mining statistics, 2010 -2016................................ ................................ .................. 68 
Table 4.3 Main mining duties and taxes collected, 2013 and 2016  ................................ ............ 69 
Table 4.4 Mining export taxes  ................................ ................................ .............................. 71 
Table 4.5 Recapitatulation of texts governing merchant shipping  ................................ ............. 77 
Table 4.6 Overall goods traffic at the port of Conakry, 2010, 2015 and  2016 ............................. 79 
Table 4.7 Telecommunication indicators, 2011 -2016 ................................ .............................. 82 
Table 4.8 Financial services, 2011 -2016................................ ................................ ................ 86 
Table 4.9 Guinea inbound tourism indicators, 2011 -2015 ................................ ........................ 89 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
 
Table A1. 1 Structure of exports, 2011 -2015 ................................ ................................ ......... 91 
Table A1. 2 Destination of exports, 2011 -2015 ................................ ................................ ......92 
Table A1. 3 Structure of imports, 2011 -2015 ................................ ................................ ......... 93 
Table A1. 4 Origin of imports, 2011 -2015 ................................ ................................ ............. 94 
 
Table A3. 1 Products to which Guinea applies customs duty rates different from the  
ECOWAS CET  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 95 
 
 
  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  SUMMARY  
1. During the period covered by its Fourth Trade Policy Review (TPR), Guinea introduced a 
number of reforms that helped to improve its economic situation. The adoption of a new Mining  Code, 
the implementation of targeted measures in the agricultural sector, and the revival of hydro -electric 
power generation all helped to improve the attractiveness of the Guinean economy, which is heavily 
dependent on mining resources. As a result, the annual GDP growth rate, less than 2 % in 2010, 
rose to over 5 % in 2011 and 2012 before graduall y subsiding to 3.5 % in 2015  owing to problems in 
the mining sector, aggravated in 2015 by the Ebola epidemic, which seriously hampered economic 
activity. With the end of the epidemic in 2016, mining activities recovered and the agricultural sector 
began to  perform well.  
2. On the macroeconomic front, the tightening of monetary policy, including the decision to halt 
the Central Bank's financing of the budget deficit, brought the inflation rate down from 21% in 2011 
to 8% in 2016. This was due in part to a budge tary policy that sought to optimize revenue collection 
while eliminating low -priority expenditure, so that in spite of the sharp fall in the world prices of 
Guinea's raw materials exports, the budget deficit had all but disappeared by 2016. However, owing 
to the sharp inequalities in the country's wealth distribution, the level of poverty remains a concern. 
Though there has been a slight improvement, the UNDP Human Development Index remains low, 
and Guinea is still in the group of least developed countries.  Its economy is essentially dependent 
on the mining sector, with bauxite, gold, iron and diamonds accounting for approximately 95% of 
its goods and services export revenue . 
3. As a net importer of goods and services, Guinea has an external current account def icit which 
rose from 17 % of GDP in 2011 to 33 % in 2016, with imports of goods and services representing 
approximately double the value of exports. Mining and hydro -electric power were the two main 
foreign direct investment targets during the review period both declining considerably with the 
collapse of raw material prices and the Ebola epidemic. Consequently, the share of goods and 
services exports in GDP, already particularly low by regional standards at 32 %, fell to approximately 
27% in 2016, highlightin g the need to diversify the economy. In the meantime, the share of imports 
dropped from 53 % to 47 %. The relative decline in exports and imports led to a drop in the ratio of 
trade in goods and services to GDP from 85 % in 2011 to 74 % in 2016. And yet this r atio still testifies 
to the importance of trade for Guinea, whose main trading partners remain the European Union 
(although it s share  in both imports and exports has decreased), China, the United Arab Emirates, 
and Switzerland.  
4. At the WTO, Guinea has bound  approximately 40% of its tariff lines, including all agricultural 
products and about 30% of non -agricultural products, at rates ranging from zero to 75%. The simple 
average of the bound rates is 20.4%, or 39.6% for agricultural products and 9.9% for 
non-agricultural products. As a member of the Economic Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS), since 2017 Guinea has applied the common external tariff (CET), which is entirely 
ad valorem  at rates of zero, 5%, 10%, 20% and 35%. As a result, the applied tarif fs for more than 
600 tariff lines exceed Guinea's WTO bound rates. On the whole, however, the average tariff 
protection has remained unchanged  since 2011 at approximately 12 %. 
5. Guinea also applies the other community import duties a nd taxes, including the 
ECOWAS  Community levy and the African Union community levy, the registration tax, the processing 
and assessment fee, and the supplementary tax ( centime additionnel ). In addition, Guinea uses the 
CET "accompanying measures" (i.e. the import adjustment tax an d the supplementary protection 
tax), which are optional and applied nationally, further complicating the border taxation system. 
Finally, Guinea also imposes internal taxes, including VAT at a standard rate of 18 %, and excise 
duties on imports and local pr oducts.  
6. Generally speaking, it might be worth reviewing the utility and cost of certain required import 
and export documents, including the "descriptive import declaration", in order to consolidate the 
progress already made, particularly in the computeriza tion of certain trade procedures. Guinea is in 
the process of switching its customs system from ASYCUDA++ to ASYCUDA World, and apparently 
it is possible to submit customs documents electronically. The 2015 Customs Code provides for an 
approved economic op erator regime, which should be established in the near future. However, 
pending the introduction of a modern system of risk analysis, goods are chiefly directed through the 
red channel requiring physical inspection of the documents and the goods, including  through a 
scanner, against payment. The preshipment inspection system was dismantled in April  2017, and WT/TPR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  export procedures were facilitated by the creation of a single window. However, a detailed customs 
declaration is still required, together with a whole  range of documents, and there remain a 
considerable number of heavy taxes and fees.  
7. During the review period, Guinea's participation in WTO technical assistance activities grew 
considerably. However, its notifications to the WTO under the various agreemen ts remain scarce. 
Guinea has not yet ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, nor has it notified the categories 
of measures under that Agreement. Several reforms have been undertaken since 2011 to improve 
the business climate. The reform of the exch ange system helped to reduce the black market 
exchange premium considerably. A new Investment Code was promulgated in the hope of promoting 
investment by creating a single window to streamline and facilitate formalities. A  mechanism is also 
being introduce d to promote public -private partnerships. A privatization strategy is under way, and 
reforms have been introduced to enhance financial supervision of public companies, now governed 
by the OHADA Treaty.  
8. Guinea's handling of technical barriers to trade and s anitary and phytosanitary measures 
would benefit, inter alia , from better coordination among the various bodies responsible for these 
matters and for quality control at the border. Little use was made of competition provisions during 
the period. The govern ment procurement regime, with its complex institutional framework, favours 
the awarding of contracts by direct negotiation: a peak was reached in 2016 when more than 92 % 
of contracts were awarded by that method. Meanwhile, Guinea has yet to notify the WTO of its 
legislation on intellectual property rights. It has not ratified the Protocol Amending the 
TRIPS  Agreement, which could give it better access to lower -cost medicines, nor has it designated 
a contact point under Article 69 of the TRIPS Agreement. Gui nea has not notified any anti -dumping, 
countervailing or safeguard measures, or any export support measures.  
9. Guinea's development potential in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture is considerable. 
Agricultural exports, which are centred on a few products , have increased sharply in the wake of the 
guidance and incentive measures introduced. Guinea's extensive waterways also constitute an 
exceptional asset which it is beginning to exploit for hydroelectric power. Further reforms could turn 
Guinea into an im portant regional exporter of electricity. On the other hand, the contribution of 
fisheries to the national economy has significantly diminished since the last TPR in 2011, owing in 
particular to overfishing of several fish species, structural weaknesses, a nd a lack of investment in 
sustainable fisheries.  
10. Guinea has faced a growing external demand for bauxite, its main export product, following 
the ban on non -refined bauxite exports imposed by other countries. Its new mining legislation 
reflects the determin ation of the authorities to improve the transparency of contracts, to increase 
the amount of income the State derives from the country's mining resources, and to find other ways 
in which the sector can contribute to the national economy. Under this policy,  30% of the cost of 
each project should go to local enterprises that might be able to supply mining companies. Moreover, 
mining taxes are degressive, from raw materials to processed products. Guinea was declared 
compliant with the standards of the Extracti ve Industries Transparency Initiative in 2014.  
11. There has been a surge in telecommunication services since the relevant regulations were 
improved. On the other hand, there is a need for investment in transport infrastructure so that 
transport services can b etter fulfill their role in the country's development. Following the adoption 
of the implementing texts for the Public -Private Partnership Law of 2017 (PPP), more financing may 
be available for the modernization of the physical infrastructure and administr ation of the port of 
Conakry, whose obsolescence has a direct impact on international and regional trade. The PPP could 
also help with further work on the road infrastructure.  
12. Financial services are open to foreign presence, whatever the origin of the capi tal, as long as 
the companies are established under domestic law. New provisions have been introduced in a 
number of areas, including risk -based supervision, bancassurance and micro -insurance, controll ing 
money laundering and combat ing the funding of terro rism. Tourism is among the services where 
there is potential for development, since Guinea has thus far been spared security problems. Its 
liberal tourism policy and its exceptional national assets could also be exploited in the framework of 
the PPP.  
 WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Main features of the economy  
1.1.  Located in West Africa, Guinea covers an area of 245,957 km2 and had a population of some 
12.4 million in 2014. It has a 320 -km coastline offering huge opportunities for t rade in port services, 
in addition to providing the country with major fishing grounds; and it also possesses abundant 
natural resources, including about one third of the world's bauxite reserves, along with deposits of 
diamonds, gold and iron, among other  minerals. Guinea also has vast hydroelectric potential, as well 
as large areas suitable for agriculture (Section 4).  
1.2.  Despite its multifaceted potential, the Guinean economy, based essentially on mining, is still 
striving to develop and diversify, in order  to overcome its perennial problem of absolute poverty. 
The agriculture sector  employs the vast majority of the economically active population, but it 
continues to operate with rudimentary techniques that restrict productivity and farm incomes.  
1.3.  Despite an improvement in its business climate as measured by the Doing Business  indicator, 
thanks particularly to a simplification of business start -up procedures, weaknesses continue to 
hamper the country's economic development. Poor -quality infrastructure and diff icult access to 
energy and credit, compounded by the high costs of these two factors, significantly impair the 
attractiveness of the Guinean economy.  
1.4.  Guinea remains a least developed country (LDC), and its per capita gross national income of 
US$490 in 2016  ranks it in the low -income bracket.1 Social development is a major challenge: 
according to the 2016 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development 
Programme (UNDP), Guinea's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.414 in 2015, ranking it  183rd 
out of 188 countries and territories, and classifying it as a country of low human development. The 
poverty rate, which was already high when last estimated in 2012 (55 %), has probably risen further 
in recent years due to the 2015 health crisis (Ebo la) and the slowdown in mining activities.  
1.5.  The overall sectoral distribution of GDP remained broadly unchanged during the review period 
(Table 1.1). Mineral products, especially bauxite, form the central pillar of the Guinean economy; 
and the predominant s ervices sector is mainly driven by mining -related transactions, which also 
absorb a large share of construction activities.  
1.6.  In addition to its vital role as the main source of livelihood in rural areas, agriculture also 
generated about 21 % of GDP in 2016, up from around 17 % in 2011. This growth has been steady 
and appears to reflect government efforts to exploit the country's vast agricultural potential. 
Extractive and manufacturing activities, which to some degree are related owing to the relative 
importan ce of alumina production, are the other main components of GDP, although their 
contributions have fluctuated slightly owing to the volatility of international commodity prices. 
Although the manufacturing sector (mainly agrifood, chemical and metallurgical processing units) is 
relatively marginal, it offers possibilities for economic diversification.  
1.7.  The informal sector plays a preponderant role in the Guinean economy, producing over 50 % 
of GDP. It is also a very strong source of jobs.  
1.8.  Pursuant to its obligations under Article VIII of the Articles of Agreement of the 
International  Monetary Fund (IMF), Guinea maintains a foreign -exchange regime without restrictions 
on payments and transfers relating to current international transactions. The Central Bank  of the 
Republic of Guinea (BCRG) intervenes twice a week on the foreign -exchange market by holding a 
multi-rate foreign exchange auction with currently operating commercial banks.  
                                                
1 Online information viewed at: https://donnees.banquemondiale.org/?locations=XM -GN. WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  Table 1.1 Basic economic ind icators, 2011 -2016  
  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Miscellaneous        
Nominal GDP (GNF billion)a 45,175.7  53,358.1  57,855.7  61,573.5  65,627.2  75,000.4  
Nominal GDP (US$  million)a 6,785.1  7,638.0  8,375.3  8,778.5  8,767.2  8,370.8  
Real GDP (annual variation (%)) 5.5 5.9 3.9 3.7 3.5 6.6 
Per capita GDP (US$ at current prices)  689.1  758.8  813.7  834.2  814.8  760.9  
Inflation (annual average)  21.4 15.2 11.9 9.7 8.2 8.1 
Population (million)  9.8 10.1 10.3 10.5 10.8 11.0 
Sectoral distribution of GDP at current 
prices (% of GDP)a       
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing  17.4 18.6 19.3 19.3 20.8 21.0 
 Agriculture  7.6 9.1 9.3 9.4 10.0 12.8 
 Livestock, hunting and related services  3.8 3.5 3.5 3.1 3.4 3.2 
 Forestry  1.7 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.1 1.8 
 Fishing, fish farming and aquaculture  4.2 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.3 3.1 
Mining and quarrying  16.9 16.1 13.9 13.7 11.1 15.7 
Manufacturing  11.3 11.6 11.9 12.2 12.0 10.7 
 Of which: Agribusiness  3.4 3.3 3.5 3.0 2.9 2.1 
Production and supply  of electricity, gas 
and water  0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 
Construction  6.3 6.4 6.1 6.1 5.0 4.7 
Services  47.4 46.6 48.0 47.9 50.3 47.4 
 Commerce  19.5 21.1 21.6 20.9 21.6 19.0 
 Hotels and restaurants  2.1 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.6 
 Transport  4.7 4.4 4.4 4.1 4.8 4.4 
 Post and telecommunications  0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 
 Other tradable services  8.1 7.9 8.0 7.0 7.5 7.5 
 Public administration  6.3 5.6 7.4 8.2 8.3 8.4 
 Other non -tradable services  6.2 4.8 3.9 5.3 5.8 5.8 
National accounts at current prices  
(% of GDP)a       
Final consumption  97.5 92.2 97.4 99.8 102.6  99.0 
 Public  14.9 11.6 12.9 18.2 20.1 17.5 
 Private  82.6 80.6 84.5 81.6 82.4 81.6 
Gross fixed capital formation  22.8 28.1 23.0 23.9 23.9 17.9 
 Administration  8.3 5.7 6.9 10.1 10.0 6.7 
 Private  14.5 22.4 16.1 13.8 13.8 11.1 
Mines  2.0 2.6 3.7 4.4 3.9 2.0 
Other firms  5.6 13.5 7.6 4.9 5.3 3.5 
Households  6.9 6.3 4.8 4.5 4.7 5.6 
Variation in inventories  1.5 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 3.0 
External balance  -21.7 -21.3 -20.5 -23.8 -26.6 -19.9 
 Exports  31.6 32.7 28.3 27.0 23.6 26.9 
 Imports  53.3 54.0 48.8 50.8 50.2 46.9 
External sector        
Guinean franc per US dollar (annual 
average)  6,658.0  6,985.8  6,907.9  7,014.1  7,485.5  8,959.7  
Real effective exchange rate  
(variation  %; - = depreciation)  -3.6 11.5 12.3 8.4 12.6 -9.2 
Nominal effective exchange rate  
(variation %;  - = depreciation)  -18 -0.5 2.6 1.5 5.9 -14.5 
Gross disposable reserves (US$  million)  855.0  643.0  705.0  752.0  461.0  608.0  
Gross disposable reserves (less imports)  4.4 3.4 3.0 3.7 2.2 3.0 
FDI inflows (US$  million)  956.1  606.5  134.0  77.1 48.2 n.a. 
 as a percentage of GDP  14.1 7.9 1.6 0.9 0.6 n.a. 
Inward FDI stock (US$  million)  1,442.2  1,884.2  2,018.1  2,086.1  2,171.1  2,275.4  
 as a percentage of GDP  21.3 24.7 24.1 23.8 24.8 27.2 
Total foreign debt (% of GDP)  49.1 18.1 16.8 16.2 15.8 16.5 
 Direct investment  -955 -604 -1 77 48 -1,513  
Public finance (% of GDP)        
Revenue and grants  15.1 17.0 14.8 17.0 14.9 16.4 
 Revenue  13.6 14.9 13.7 13.9 13.7 14.8 
 Mining sector  2.9 3.0 2.6 2.2 2.4 2.4 
 Non-mining sector  9.7 11.2 10.6 10.9 10.7 11.9 
Direct taxes  2.2 3.3 2.6 2.2 2.1 2.3 
Indirect taxes  6.4 7.9 8.0 8.7 8.6 9.6 
Taxes on goods and services  4.2 5.2 5.1 5.4 5.8 6.9 
Taxes on international trade  2.2 2.7 2.9 3.2 2.8 2.7 
 Non-tax revenue  1.1 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.5 
 Grants  2.6 2.0 1.1 3.1 1.2 1.7 
Total expenditure and net lending  16.0 19.4 18.6 20.2 21.8 16.6 
 Current expenditure  12.2 11.8 12.0 13.7 14.1 12.1 
Primary current expenditure  10.7 10.5 11.2 12.7 13.3 10.7 WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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    2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Wages and salaries  3.9 3.3 3.6 3.8 4.1 4.4 
 Investment expenditure  3.9 7.1 6.6 6.4 7.6 4.4 
 Net lending and restructuring expenses  0.0 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 
Overall balance, commitments basis        
 Excluding grants  -3.5 -4.4 -5.0 -6.3 -8.1 -1.8 
 Including grants  -0.9 -2.4 -3.9 -3.2 -6.9 -0.1 
Total public debt (% of GDP)  78.0 35.4 45.7 45.4 53.0 n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
a Estimates for 2014 and 2015; forecasts for 2016.  
Source:  Statistical data provided by the authorities; IMF Country Reports Nos.  13/192, 14/244, and 16/365; 
IMF, IMF Data, viewed at: http://elibrary -data.imf.org ; World Bank, Databank, viewed at: 
http://databank.banquemondiale.org/data/home.aspx ; and UNCTADstat, viewed at: 
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/FR/Index.html . 
1.2  Recent econ omic developments  
1.9.  In 2011, Guinea was just emerging from a long period of political and socio -economic turmoil 
that culminated in a military coup in 2009/2010. The military takeover led to serious macroeconomic 
imbalances, including a growing budget defici t and an explosion of central bank lending to the 
Government. Foreign exchange reserves dwindled to the equivalent of under 1 % of total imports, 
inflation rose to an annual rate of over 20 % and external arrears accumulated with bilateral and 
multilateral c reditors.  
1.10.   Following the December  2010 presidential elections, the country's new civilian authorities 
embarked on a wide -ranging macroeconomic stabilization programme, which paved the way for a 
programme supported by an arrangement with the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), 
covering 2010 -2015. The third generation of the 2013 -2015 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper  
(PRSP  III) has formed the basis for Guinea's development policies and strategies.  
1.11.   Major structural reforms have also been implemented, including the adoption of a new mining 
code designed to promote transparency in the exploitation of the country's mineral wealth; the start 
of mining contract renegotiations; and the creation of a special investment fund to ensure optimal 
use of mining rev enues. The adoption of a new investment code and the establishment of an 
investment promotion agency are other elements of these reforms. Steps have been taken to shore 
up the financial viability of the public electricity company Électricité de Guinée  (EDG), with a view to 
lowering public subsidies in the medium term. Moreover, the Government has stepped up its 
intervention in agriculture by supplying inputs to farmers.  
1.12.   As a result, GDP has rallied, driven by a vigorous performance in the agriculture sector , an 
influx of investments in the mining sector and greater confidence among private investors. The 
growth rate rose from less than 2 % in 2010 to over 5 % in 2011 and 2012. Nonetheless, 
real GDP growth faltered in 2013 and then trended firmly down until 201 5 (Table 1.1). The slowdown 
in 2013 and 2014 was caused by difficulties in the mining sector resulting from external and domestic 
shocks. The fall in international commodity prices and the concomitant slowdown in investment in 
large-scale mining ventures, including the Simandou iron ore project and the Guinea Alumina 
Corporation project, compounded by closure of the Fria plant's only alumina production unit, have 
reduced potential GDP growth.  
1.13.   In 2015, the economy continued to suffer from declining commodity  prices and weakening 
demand from emerging countries. Economic activity was seriously harmed by the Ebola epidemic 
and the resulting border closures, which restricted international travel and hence the number of 
visitors and foreign investment. Implementat ion of the PRSP III was bolstered by the Post -Ebola 
Recovery (Emergency) Plan, which aimed to repair the socio -economic damage caused by the 
epidemic and prepare Guinea to withstand future health problems. In 2016, the  
World  Health  Organization declared th e end of the Ebola epidemic. Growth bounced back to 6.6 % in 
the same year, boosted by an increase in electric power generated from the Kaleta dam (240 MW), 
a rapid increase in production by the bauxite firm, which had started operations in 2015, and a 
strong performance in the agriculture sector.  
1.14.   In the framework of dialogue with the Government, supported by recommendations made in 
the various strategic frameworks, budgetary policy has been tighter since 2011 and remains WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 11 - 
  anchored on cash -based expenditure m anagement. The budget deficit (including grants) dropped 
sharply from over 10 % of GDP in 2010 to below 1 % a year later, thanks to several revenue collection 
measures, the elimination of low -priority expenditure and the suspension of certain government 
procurement contracts. The fiscal deficit remained relatively modest (below 5 % of GDP) until 2014, 
before widening significantly as fiscal policy was relaxed in response to the revenue shortfall resulting 
from the slowdown in economic activity and additional e xpenditures to combat the Ebola epidemic. 
Then, in 2016, the deficit narrowed sharply thanks to economic recovery and a broadening of the 
tax base.  
1.15.   The BCRG pursues an objective of price stability (targeting inflation at or below 10 %) pursuant 
to the norms  established under the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). Central bank lending to 
the Government is limited to 5% of the government's average ordinary annual income over the past 
three financial years. In practice , however, the BCRG has not carried out suc h an operation since 
2011. Inflation has fallen steadily from 21.4 % in 2011 to 8.1 % in 2016, due to the tightening of 
monetary policy and the halting of BCRG advances to the public sector.  
1.16.   To contain the inflationary pressures experienced since 2010, in Ma rch 2011 the Central Bank 
increased the required reserves ratio from 9.5 % to 17 % and raised its policy interest rate from 
16.75 % to 22 %. On 19  October  2011, it raised the reserve requirement again to 22 % before 
gradually reducing it to a level of 18 % by 25  February  2015; the policy rate was gradually lowered 
to 11 % by 25  February  2015 before rising again to 12.5 % in April  2016.  
1.17.   The current account remains in deficit and has generally reflected the behaviour of trade in 
goods and services (Table 1.2). The balance remained relatively stable (in absolute -value terms) 
until 2015 owing to the weakness of imports, particularly of capital goods, before jumping sharply 
in 2016 in the wake of major mining, energy and infrastructure projects.  
1.18.   Guinea's total exte rnal debt/GDP ratio dropped from 49.1% in 2011 to 18.1% in 2012, thanks 
to a substantial reduction in its external debt stock following attainment of the completion point of 
the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) in 2012. Multilater al creditors 
provided debt relief of US$1.4  billion, partly through the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). 
Guinea's official bilateral creditors in the Paris Club granted additional relief of US$500  million.2 
During the review period, steps were t aken to strengthen external debt management. In addition to 
the recent creation of a commission to evaluate the country's external debt, a National Public Debt 
Committee (CNDP) was set up in March  2014 and tasked with preparing and overseeing the 
implement ation of a national debt policy and a medium -term debt strategy. The debt/GDP ratio has 
been stable since 2013 at around 16% (Table 1.1).  
1.19.   According to the IMF, Guinea's medium -term outlook is favourable although risks persist. 
These good prospects should b e borne out by the 2016 -2020 National Economic and Social 
Development Plan (PNDES), which is projecting a vision of good governance, economic 
transformation, human capital development and sustainable resource management. In 2017, the 
Guinean authorities re ached an agreement with IMF staff on an economic policy and reform 
programme that could be supported under the ECF. The programme will underpin the PNDES.  
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2011 -2016  
(US$ million unless otherwise indicated)  
  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Current account  -1,161.4  -1,038.6  -1,189.8  -981.7  -1,020.2  -2,744.9  
Goods and services balance  -1,167.5  -1,049.1  -872.5  -787.3  -835.6  -2,670.9  
 Credit  1,505.7  2,086.7  1,989.8  2,130.1  1,859.6  2,467.7  
 Debit  2,673.2  3,135.7  2,862.3  2,917.4  2,695.2  5,138.6  
Balance of merchandise trade  -668.8  -316.4  -252.8  -306.1  -410.6  -2,015.1  
 Exports, f.o.b.  1,428.3  1,927.6  1,886.3  2,066.3  1,781.1  2,414.4  
 Imports, f.o.b.  2,097.1  2,244.0  2,139.1  2,372.4  2,191.8  4,429.4  
Balance of trade in services  -498.7  -732.7  -619.7  -481.2  -425.0  -655.8  
 Credit  77.4 159.1  103.5  63.8 78.4 53.3 
 Of which: Transport  4.6 4.8 9.8 0.4 8.0 9.0 
  Travel  2.1 1.4 n.a. 16.7 23.0 15.6 
 Debit  576.1  891.8  723.2  545.0  503.5  709.2  
 Of which: Transport  287.9  303.9  296.4  283.0  249.9  492.1  
  Travel  33.1 23.4 50.0 18.2 30.4 12.3 
                                                
2 Online information viewed at: http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2016/12/31/Guinea -
Second -Review -Under -the-Three -Year-Arrangement -Under -the-Extended -Credit -Facility -40733 . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 12 - 
 
    2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Primary income  -133.4  -122.0  -405.1  -212.2  -143.2  -154.8  
 Credit  22.2 31.5 5.5 21.5 35.5 34.1 
 Debit  155.6  153.5  410.6  233.7  178.7  188.9  
Secondary income  139.5  132.5  87.9 17.8 -41.3 80.8 
 Credit  407.5  305.3  309.7  2,086.7  1,247.2  964.1  
 Debit  268.0  172.9  221.8  2,068.8  1,288.5  883.3  
Capital account  139.7  248.4  243.8  257.9  230.9  164.2  
Financial account  -1,061.8  -554.4  736.1  448.9  544.4  -660.1  
 Direct investment  -955.2  -603.6  -1.1 77.06  48.2 -1,513.4  
 Portfolio investment  -211.6  3.1 n.a. 16.44  54.7 1.1 
 Other investment  -521.5  -11.6 663.5  254.12  225.9  1,015.0  
 Reserve assets  626.6  57.6 73.7 101.27  215.5  -162.9  
Errors and omissions (net)  -40.1 235.8  1,682.2  1,172.7  1,333.7  1,920.5  
Indicators (% )       
Current account balance/GDP  -17.1 -13.6 -14.2 -11.2 -11.6 -32.8 
Merchandise trade balance/GDP  -9.9 -4.1 -3.0 -3.5 -4.7 -24.1 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  IMF, Balance of Payments. Viewed at: http://elibrary -data.imf.org . 
1.20.   Annual GDP growth could average 4.5 % over the next five years, and inflation is expected to 
ease gradually to 5 % by 2019. The basic fiscal bala nce is likely to remain close to 0.5 % of GDP 
owing to funding constraints and a policy of building up reserves.3 The main downside risks stem 
from a steeper global growth slowdown which would hinder mining activity and from political 
uncertainty.  
1.3  Trade and  investment performance  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  
1.21.   Trade in goods and services has shrunk gradually from around 85 % of GDP in 2011 to close 
to 74% in 2016, apparently owing to a reduction in mining equipment imports as mining act ivity has 
slackened.  
1.22.   Guinean statistics suffer from reliability problems. They are generally incomplete, and their 
presentation for the review period requires the use of different data sources. Moreover, registered 
exports are systematically lower than the  amounts recorded by the respective trading partners for 
imports of the same products from Guinea, which suggests that exports are not always declared. 
Nonetheless, the available statistics show exports rebounding between 2011 and 2012 following a 
good har vest of agricultural commodities, especially rubber. This performance was not repeated 
during the review period, however. Bauxite exports (ore and concentrates) plummeted in 2012, 
following the closure of the country's only alumina production unit. A sharp  decline was recorded in 
2015, following border closures in the wake of the Ebola outbreak (Tables A1.1 and A1.3). During 
the review period, the export structure continued to be dominated by commodities, including bauxite 
ores (Table A1.1 and Chart 1.1).  
1.23.   Imports trended upward in 2011 -2014, before slipping back somewhat in the following year, 
owing to slacker bauxite mining activity and the concomitant reduction in capital goods imports 
(Tables A1.1 and A1.3). The import basket is much more diversified and consists mainly of food 
products, fuels, manufactures, machinery and transport equipment, and chemicals (Table A1.3 and 
Chart 1.1). Guinea imports most of its food products and capital goods.  
1.24.   Europe remains the top destination for Guinea's export products,  absorbing nearly half of its 
total foreign sales. By country, France and Switzerland were the leading destinations for Guinean 
exports from 2011 to 2013; but their shares have decreased significantly since 2014, probably 
because of the fall in commodity p rices and the poor returns from commodity trade. Since 2014, 
India, the United Arab Emirates and Ghana have become Guinea's main export destinations 
(Chart  1.2 and Table A1.4). The European Union, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium and France, 
remains t he chief source of imports. By country, the Netherlands' share gradually decreased from 
                                                
3 Online information viewed at: http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2016/12/31/Guinea -
2016-Article -IV-Consultation -Press -Release -Staff-Report -and-Statement -by-the-44152 . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 13 - 
  2011 to 2014, and China became the main source of Guinean imports in the following year  
(Table  A1.4 and Chart 1.2).  
1.25.   Services trade remained in deficit during the review  period. After worsening in 2012 as the 
country's economic activity gathered pace, the gap gradually narrowed until 2015 owing to the 
sluggishness of mining activities and the halting of several major works. In 2016, trade in services 
(imports and exports)  increased sharply and the deficit widened further (Table 1.2). Service imports 
mostly consist of freight and insurance, although engineering services associated with large -scale 
works undertaken by mining firms are also important. The main service trade i nflows reflect business 
tourism activities.  
1.3.2   Foreign direct investment trends and structure  
1.26.   Foreign investment is largely targeted on infrastructure building and the mining industries. 
Nonetheless, efforts are under way to diversify the beneficiary sectors,  including the adoption of a 
new Investment Code and the drafting of a law on public -private partnerships (Section 2).  
1.27.   The lack of dynamism on international commodity markets and the recent health crisis have 
eroded foreign investment flows since 2011 (Tab le 1.1).  
 WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2015  
 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3); and 
United Nations, ITC TradeMap . 
2011 2015
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
Other
0.4%
Agriculture
6.5%Manufactures
16.3%Non-monetary 
gold
40.1%
Aluminium
ores
36.6%
Total:  US$1.7 billion Total:   US$1.6 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Food products 
20.4%Manufactures
54.3%Non-electrical 
machinery
16.4%
Other semi -
finished products
8.9%Other
1.0%
Chemicals
8.5%Other manufactures 
5.8%
Iron and steel
1.8%Electrical
machinery
4.7% Transport equipment
8.2%
Fuels
24.3%Food 
products
23.4%Manufactures
58.9%Non-electrical 
machinery
11.3%
Other semi -
finished products
7.8%Other
2.6%
Chemicals
10.8%Other 
manufactures 
7.2%
Iron and steel
3.0%Electrical 
machinery
4.5%Transport equipment
14.3%
Fuels
15.1%
Total:   US$1.9 billion Total:   US$2.1 billionOther
10.9%
Agriculture
3.9%
Manufactures
12.8%Non-monetary
gold
45.9%
Aluminium 
ores
26.5%WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 15 - 
  Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2011 and 2015  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3); and 
United Nations, ITC TradeMap.  
 
 
2011 2015
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
CIS
3.1%
Other
11.3%EU-28
30.2%
United States
5.4%Switzerland
1.7%India
16.4%United Arab 
Emirates
9.9%Ghana
22.0%
Total:  US$1.7 billion  Total:  US$1.6 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
EU-28
47.2%China  8.8%
Other Asia
16.5%
America
7.6%Asia
28.1%Africa
11.4%Middle East
3.8%
Other
1.8%India  2.9% Asia
33.6%
EU-28
38.1%India
10.9%
Other Asia
7.8%
America
4.9%Africa
10.0%Middle East
10.3%
Other
3.1%China  14.9%
Total:   US$1.9 billion Total:   US$2.1 billionCIS
11.3%
Other
11.0%EU-28
47.6%
United States
4.5%Switzerland
21.6%
India 
0.8%United Arab 
Emirates
3.3%WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES  
2.1  Overview  
2.1.  Since i ts last Trade Policy Review, Guinea's institutional and legal framework has for the most 
part remained unchanged. The current Constitution, in force since 7  May 2010, proclaims Guinea as 
a democratic State. It also enshrines the separation of powers betwee n the executive, legislative 
and judicial branches.  
2.2.  The President of the Republic of Guinea is the Head of State  and the guarantor of state 
sovereignty, territorial indivisibility and citizens' rights and freedoms. He oversees compliance with 
the Constitut ion, international commitments, laws and judicial decisions. He also ensures the proper 
functioning of state authorities and continuity of the State. He is elected by direct universal suffrage 
and his tenure may not run beyond two consecutive five -year ter ms. The current President was 
re-elected on 11  October  2015 for a second, consecutive, term of office. The President appoints the 
other members of the Government. The Government formulates and implements policies in the 
various areas, draws up draft financ e laws and implements state budgets.  
2.3.  The National Assembly, comprising 114 deputies elected for renewable five -year terms, 
exercises legislative power and oversees the Government's activities. It adopts legislation, including 
the finance laws. One third of  deputies are elected by single -ballot, single -member majority voting 
and two thirds from a national list by proportional representation . The latest legislative elections 
were held on 28  September  2013.  
2.4.  Judicial power is vested in the courts and tribunals. The Supreme Court (the country's highest 
court for administrative and judicial matters) is the court of first and last instance in regard to the 
legality of regulatory texts and of acts of the executive  authorities. Its decisions are final and are 
binding on the Executive, the Legislature and all other judicial bodies. The Court of Auditors is 
responsible for a posteriori  oversight of public finances. The judicial system also includes the 
Constitutional Court, which is tasked with reviewing the constitutionality of laws and ordinances and 
conformity of international treaties and agreements with the Constitution, in addition to which it has 
jurisdiction over electoral matters and fundamental rights and fre edoms. The judgments of the 
Constitutional Court are final. The High Court of Justice is empowered to judge the President of the 
Republic and members of the Government for acts deemed to be high treason and for offences 
committed in the exercise of their f unctions. No such case has ever been brought before the Court. 
Rulings by the High Court of Justice are not subject to appeal, save in the case of pardons or judicial 
review. Commercial matters are dealt with by the ordinary courts as Guinea has no commerc ial 
court.  
2.5.  The Constitution remains the highest ranking law in the country's legal order. In the domestic 
hierarchy it takes precedence over laws, ordinances, decrees and orders. Laws, ordinances, decrees, 
opinions and orders must be published in the Offic ial Journal. International treaties and agreements 
have force of law once signed and ratified, subject to their implementation by the other parties. The 
President of the Republic signs and promulgates international treaties and agreements, which must, 
in principle, be ratified by the National Assembly. Treaties that are applicable as law are 
automatically enforceable.  
2.6.  In principle, the main questions relating to international trade, such as the customs tariff or 
trade agreements, can be implemented only by virtue of a law passed by the National Assembly. 
However, rates can be changed and all or part of the duties and taxes stipulated in the tariff can be 
suspended or restored by a decree of the President of the Republic. The initiative for such reforms 
comes  from the Minister responsible for the economy and finance.  
2.7.  The National Assembly may, under special circumstances, for a given period of time and for 
the purposes it specifies, empower the President of the Republic to take measures that are normally 
within the field of legislation. Within the limits of the time -frame and competences stipulated by the 
Enabling Law, the President of the Republic issues ordinances which enter into force immediately 
upon publication, but lapse if a draft law on their ratificat ion is not submitted to the 
National  Assembly before the date fixed by the enabling legislation.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 17 - 
  2.8.  During the period under review, Guinea adopted a number of laws relating to trade and/or 
investment, in the following areas in particular: investment, governme nt procurement, fishing and 
aquaculture, mining, hydrocarbons, transport and telecommunications ( Sections 3 and 4).  
2.2  Trade policy formulation and objectives  
2.9.  The main function of the Ministry responsible for trade is to design, formulate and implement 
the Go vernment's trade policy, including bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral trade agreements 
involving Guinea.1 It draws up domestic trade regulations and coordinates trade negotiations. It is 
also responsible for fostering the competitiveness of Guinea's economy.  
2.10.   Other Ministries are also involved in trade policy formulation and implementation. The Ministry 
responsible for the economy and finance plays an important role in trade policy matters through the 
Directorate -General of Customs, which is under its authority; the Ministry responsible for foreign 
affairs handles Guinea's participation in the work of the African Union; and the ministries responsible 
for sectoral matters are involved in the  design and implementation of Guinea's trade policy within 
their respective areas of competence, including agriculture, fisheries, industry, crafts and the various 
services subsectors.  
2.11.   Private -sector organizations are generally consulted, on an ad hoc basis, on trade policy 
formulation, implementation and follow up. Th e Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guinea 
(CCIG) may propose to the Government any measure conducive to the development of business, 
industrial or services activities and may express its opinion on relevant issues.  
2.12.   The overall aim of Guinea's trade poli cy is to create an environment conducive to the 
development of trade, especially exports, and investment, so as to enable the country to attain its 
economic growth and poverty reduction targets, as laid down in its national development plan.  
2.13.   The National E conomic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) sets out the Government's main 
trade -related priorities, focusing mainly on the modernization of customs procedures, improvement 
of transport infrastructure, export development and the facilitation of global mark et access for 
agricultural products.  
2.14.   Regional economic integration within ECOWAS remains an important component of the trade 
policy of Guinea, which has been implementing the ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) since 
January  2017.  
2.15.   Guinea has considerable e xport development potential, especially in the following sectors: 
citrus and other fruit, agri -food and commercial crafts. Tourism also offers major opportunities for  
trade in services.  
2.3  Trade agreements and arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
2.16.   Guinea is an original Member of the WTO . It is recognized as a least developed country (LDC). 
It has not signed any plurilateral agreement concluded under WTO auspices. The concessions made 
by Guinea during the Uruguay Round are contained in Schedule CXXXVI as regards goods, and in 
docum ent GATS/SC/102 as regards services. I t accords at least MFN  treatment to all its trading 
partners.  
2.17.   Guinea has never been party to any dispute under the WTO. Since the previous review of its 
trade policies, it appears to have made progress in the area of t rade transparency. Several trade 
measures have been notified since 2011 (Table 2.1).  
                                                
1 Decree No.  D/2008/040 /PRG/SGG of 24  July 2008.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Table 2.1 Notifications by Guinea to the WTO, 2011 -2017  
Requirement  WTO document  Content  
Sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures  G/SPS/N/GIN/1 of 
5 December  2014 Phytosanitary control of plant imports and exports  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/2 of 
5 December  2014 Lists of pests of economic importance and of plant quarantine 
pests 
 G/SPS/N/GIN/3 of 
5 December  2014 Procedures for the collection of samples of plants and plant 
products for import and export  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/4 of 
5 December  2014 Health conditions for the production and placing on the market 
of fishery and aquaculture products  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/5 of 
5 December  2014 Law No.  L/95/046/CTRN of 19  August  1995 containing the 
Livestock and Animal Products Code  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/6 of 
8 August  2016 Sanitary inspection of fishery and aquaculture products  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/7 of 
8 August  2016 Quality parameters for the water used in fishery and 
aquaculture product processing establishments  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/8 of 
8 August  2016 Regulations governing the importation of fishery and 
aquaculture products  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/9 of 
8 August  2016 Official controls for fishery and aquaculture products  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/10 of 
8 August  2016 Microbiological and chemical criteria applicable to fishery and 
aquaculture products  
 G/SPS/N/GIN/11 of 
9 August  2016 Approval of 39 agri -food-related standards  
GATT Article XXVIII:5  G/MA/324 of 
7 January  2015 Invocation of paragraph 5 of Article XXVIII  
Subsidies and 
countervailing 
measures, Article 25.11 
and 25.12  G/SCM/N/202/GIN 
of 19 June 2015 Notification under Article 25.11 and 25.12 of the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Anti-dumping practices, 
Article 16.4 and 16.5  G/ADP/N/193/GIN 
of 19 June 2015 Notification under Article 16.4 and 16.5 of the Agreement  
TBT Article 3.2  G/TBT/N/GIN/1 of 
26 November  2014 Order No.  A/98/2269/MPSPIC/CAB/SGG approving three 
Guinean standards on cement  
Customs valuation, 
Article VII – Article 22.2  G/VAL/N/1/GIN/1 of 
22 December  2014 Notification under Article 22 of the Agreement on 
Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade 1994  
GATT Article III:3  S/C/N/775 of 
28 November  2014 Notification pursuant to Article III:3 of the WTO Agreement on 
Trade in Services  
 S/C/N/776 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/777 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/778 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/779 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/780 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/781 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/782 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/783 of 
28 November  2014 
 S/C/N/784 of 
28 November  2014 
Source:  WTO document.  
2.18.   During the review period, Guinea's participation in WTO technical assistance activities grew 
considerably, from 17 activities in 2011 to 101 activities in 2016.2 Guinea participates in the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for technical assistance to least developed countries. The first 
phase of the EIF in Guinea (2012 -2017) focu sed on technical capacity building for officials of the 
Ministry responsible for trade; on development of the mango sector; and on capacity building for 
the National Quality Control Office (ONCQ).  
                                                
2 Global Trade -Related Technical Assistance Database (GTAD). Viewed at: 
http://gtad.wto.org/index.aspx?lg=en& . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  2.19.   Guinea has not yet ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement or notified the WTO of the 
list of its category A measures. (Table  2.1) 
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.20.   Guinea is a member of several regional trade groupings, including the African Union (and the 
associated African Economic Community) and t he Economic Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS). As an LDC, it receives trade preferences from the EU and United States. The other more 
developed countries grant it trade preferences in accordance with their national preference schemes.  
2.3.3   African Union  (AU)  
2.21.   Guinea is a member of the African Union (AU), successor to the Organization of African Unity 
(OAU). The organs of the AU include the Assembly of Heads of State and Government; the 
Executive  Council; the Commission; the Permanent Representatives Commi ttee; the Peace and 
Security Council; the Economic, Social and Cultural Council; a Court of Justice; and a Pan -African 
Parliament.  
2.22.   The AU aims to become an economic and political union. The Abuja Treaty provides for the 
establishment of the African Economi c Community (AEC) by 2028, using existing regional economic 
communities (RECs) as pillars. Guinea participates in this process through ECOWAS.  
2.23.   In 2012, the AU decided to establish , by 2017, a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), with  
the main objective of b oosting intra -African trade. The CFTA was launched in July  2015. The CFTA 
negotiations will be carried out in two phases, the first essentially covering trade in goods and 
services, and the second covering investment, intellectual property rights and compe tition policy.  
2.3.4   Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  
2.24.   Guinea is a founding member of ECOWAS, which was established in May  1975. ECOWAS was 
notified to the WTO in 2005 under the Enabling Clause. The aims of the Community are to promote 
cooperation and integration, leading to the establishme nt of an economic union in West  Africa in 
order to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability, 
foster relations among member States and contribute to the progress and development of the African 
continent. Its objective is to promote cooperation and integration within the West African subregion, 
harmonize trade and investment practices for its 15 member countries and ultimately achieve a full 
customs union.  
2.25.   Under its free trade agenda, ECOWAS put in place a regional mechanism known as the 
ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). To benefit from the ETLS, companies must be  
registered, and must register their products as meeting the rules of origin specified under the 
scheme. In other words, dual approval has to be secured.  
2.26.   The ETLS identifies three categories of product: unprocessed goods, traditional craft products 
and industrial products (both finished and semi -finished). Industrial or processed goods are s ubject 
to dual approval, including compliance with the rules of origin in force (Section  3). 
2.27.   Guinea, like the other members of the Community, has set up a National Approval Committee 
(CNA) for industrial products. The CNA is made up of representatives of t he Customs, the 
Chamber  of Commerce and Industry of Guinea (CCIG) and the Ministries responsible for trade, 
industry and cooperation. It examines applications for the approval of products  submitted by 
enterprises and makes recommendations to the Ministry r esponsible for cooperation (which handles 
matters relating to ECOWAS). Since January  2017, Guinea has aligned its national tariff on the 
ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) (Section 3).  
2.3.5   Relations with the European Union  
2.28.   Guinea is a signatory to the Cotonou  Agreement (successor to the Lomé Convention) between 
the European Union (EU) and 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The Agreement was 
signed on 23  June 2000 and entered into force in April  2003. It was first revised in 2005, then again 
in 2010. Its trade provisions constitute one of the mechanisms for cooperation between the WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  ACP countries and the EU. Until 31  December  2007 the latter, by way of a waiver, admitted under 
the duty -free regime non -agricultural products and most agricultural pro ducts originating in 
78 ACP countries (excluding South Africa), on a non -reciprocal basis. In June  2014, a regional 
agreement was initialled by all parties. In December  2014, the Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA) was signed by the EU and by all West Afr ican States with the exception of Nigeria, The Gambia 
and Mauritania.  
2.29.   The agreement will enter into force in its entirety after it has been ratified by all the parties.  
2.30.   Because of its LDC status, Guinea, in common with 12 other countries of the "West Afric a" 
configuration, enjoys duty -free, quota -free access to the EU market for all its exports (with the 
exception of arms and ammunition), under the EU's "Everything But Arms" (EBA) initiative. However, 
Guinea derives little benefit from this owing to the wea kness of its exports, characterized by a limited 
export basket with a significant concentration of raw materials. In 2016, some 0.1%  of Guinean 
products were exported to the EU under the EBA scheme; virtually all (raw materials) entered 
duty-free but under  the MFN regime.  
2.3.6   Relations with the United States  
2.31.   The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has since 2000 been an integral part of the 
United States' international cooperation efforts vis-à-vis Africa. The AGOA allows duty -free, 
quota -free exports of 6,400 product categories to the US market, including clothing and footwear, 
wine, certain motor vehicle components, a variety of agricultural products, chemicals and steel from 
40 sub -Saharan African countries, including Guinea. The AGOA was initially desi gned for an 
eight-year period, from 2000 to 2008, but was then extended to 2015. On 29  June 2015, it was 
again extended, this time for ten years until 2025.  
2.32.   In 2009, Guinea was suspended from AGOA benefits, which were restored to it in 2011. 
Guinea's utili zation of AGOA preferences remains low, having amounted to 6.9 % in 2016.  
2.4  Investment regime  
2.33.   During the review period, Guinea undertook reforms of the legal and institutional framework 
of its investment regime in the interests of attracting new inflows to en able diversification of its 
economy. A new Investment Code was adopted in 2015.3 It guarantees identical treatment of 
Guineans and foreigners, unless otherwise provided in treaties and agreements concluded by 
Guinea. It likewise guarantees the repatriation  of earnings of all descriptions on invested capital, 
including dividends and the proceeds of liquidation. Under no circumstances, however, may 
foreigners hold more than 40 % of the shares of companies engaged in the radio or television 
broadcasting of gene ral or political information.  
2.34.   The Code applies to companies operating in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as 
well as to several service s activities. Expressly excluded from its scope are business  activities defined 
as resale in the same state of  goods  purchased outside the enterprise. Likewise excluded from its 
scope are activities that are eligible under specific codes, such as the Petroleum Code or the 
Mining  Code, which provide concessions under specific regimes. In 2017, a decree was adopted for 
the creation of a special economic zone (ZES) in Boké. According to the authorities,  regulatory acts 
are in the process of being adopted to enable development of the ZES. A number of zones (Massayah , 
Kouria, Sanoyah and Tonkoya) have, moreover, been de clared as industrial.  
2.35.   Authorizations/licences are required in order to engage in activities involving the production 
or distribution of water or electricity for commercial purposes; financial or telecommunication 
services; the manufacture and marketing of medicines, explosives or poisons; and the provision of 
health or education services.  
                                                
3 Law No.  L/2015/008/AN of 25  May 2015.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 21 - 
  2.36.   The Code provides for tax and customs concessions (as determined by the Finance Law for 
2014) under a preferential regime. Investors registered in the Trade and Personal P roperty Credit 
Register (RCCM) who are up -to-date with their  tax obligations and engaged in business start -up or 
expansion projects can benefit from concessions under the preferential regime, subject to fulfilment 
of the following conditions:  
• in the case o f a new company, where the project provides, cumulatively, for the 
investment of at least GNF  200,000,000  and the creation of at least five permanent jobs 
for Guinean nationals;  
• in the case of a company expansion, where the investment project provides for an increase 
of at least 35 % in the production of goods and/or services or in the number of jobs for 
Guinean nationals.  
2.37.   Companies enjoying concessions under the Investment Code are also required to prioritize 
the use of workers from the Guinean labour marke t and of local raw materials; to comply with the 
relevant quality standards; to provide the authorities responsible for controlling access to the 
preferential regime with the information they require; and to remain in good standing with the tax 
authorities  (Table 2.2).  
Table 2.2 Benefits under the Investment Code  
Concessions  Start -up phase  
(exemption for up to three years)  Production phase (relief)  
Customs  Exemption from all duties and taxes on 
the importation  of equipment and 
materials apart from motor vehicles, 
except for the registration tax (TE) 
(0.5%) and the processing and 
assessment fee (RTL) (2%) applied to the 
c.i.f. value  With no time limit, RTL at 2%, customs 
duties at 6% and VAT at 18% on the 
import ation of inputs or raw materials.  
Internal taxes  Exemption from the business tax, the 
single property tax (CFU), the lump -sum 
payroll tax (VF) and the apprenticeship 
tax (TA), except for the 1.5% vocational 
training contribution (National Office for 
Vocat ional Training and Further Training 
(ONFPP))  In zone Aa: 
For eight years:  
- Reduction in the rate of the minimum 
flat-rate tax (IMF), industrial and 
commercial profits tax (BIC), corporation 
tax (IS), business tax, and CFU: 100% in 
years 1 and 2; 50% in years 3 and 4; and 
25% in years 5 and 6.  
- Reduction in the rate of the VF, TA and 
TE: 100% in years 1 and 2; 50% in years 
3 and 4; and 25% in years 5, 6, 7 and 8.  
 
In zone Bb: 
For ten years:  
- Reduction in the rate of the IMF, BIC, 
IS, business tax and CF U: 100% in years 
1, 2 and 3; 50% in years 4, 5 and 6; and 
25% in years 7 and 8.  
- Reduction in the rate of the VF, TA and 
TE: 100% in years 1, 2 and 3; 50% in 
years 4, 5 and 6; and 25% in years 7, 8, 
9 and 10.  
a Zone A comprises the region of Conakry and the prefectures de Coyah, Forécariah, Dubréka, Boffa, 
Fria, Boké and Kindia.  
b Zone B covers the remainder of the national territory.  
Source:  Online information viewed at: http://www. apip.gov.gn/?q=content/cadre -juridique -fiscal; and 
Finance Law for 2014.  
2.38.   The Private Investment Promotion Agency (APIP -Guinée), established in 2011 and 
restructured in 2014, reports to the Office of the President of the Republic. It is a public 
administrat ive institution with legal personality and financial and managerial autonomy.4 Its mission 
is to promote private investment and implement the Government's domestic and foreign private 
                                                
4 Online information from  APIP-Guinée, viewed at: http://apiguinee.org . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 22 - 
 
  investment development policy. It also serves as the Permanent Secretari at for the Presidential 
Council for Investment and Public -Private Partnerships (CPI -PPP), established under  the authority of 
the President of the Republic for the purpose of fostering direct dialogue between the State, the 
private sector and civil society in the interests of enhancing Guinea's investment environment. 
According to the authorities, the CPI -PPP is not yet fully operational.  
2.39.   In 2017, the Government set up the Guinée Business Forum (GBF) to serve as a further 
mechanism for consultation between t he public sector, represented by a "Public Reform Committee", 
and business leaders from Guinea's private sector.  
2.40.   APIP-Guinée provides a single window for administrative, legal, tax and other formalities. It 
receives requests for approval under the preferen tial regimes of the Investment Code, which confer 
eligibility for tax or customs concessions. Requests for access to benefits under the Code are studied 
by APIP -Guinée, the National Customs Directorate, the National Tax Directorate and any other public 
service deemed to have a relevant say in the matter.  
2.41.   Approval, in the form of a decree by the Minister responsible for industry, small and medium 
enterprises and private sector promotion, is given, in principle, within a maximum of 15 working 
days following r eceipt of the request. The list of goods exempt from duties and taxes is attached to 
the approval decree. All relevant information is, in principle, made public. The monitoring of projects 
approved under the Investment Code, as well as the control of tax a nd customs concessions 
accorded and of investor commitments, are entrusted to an Approval Follow -up Committee. In 2016, 
APIP-Guinée reported 62 companies approved under the Investment Code (as against 18 in 2015 
and 26 in 2014), representing projected inve stments worth over GNF  1,930  billion (1,173  billion in 
2015 and 1 ,669 billion in 2014)  and at least 4,130 jobs (1,191  in 2015 and 5,644 in 2014).  
2.42.   During the review period, Guinea improved the company registration procedure. According to 
the authorities, re gistration takes around 72 hours. A law establishing a commercial court was 
adopted in 2017 in order to expedite dispute settlement procedures.  
2.43.   In July  2017, Guinea adopted a law intended to promote public -private partnerships and 
establish the conditions for their implementation.5 However, this law has not yet come into effect.  
2.44.   In the World Bank's Doing Business 2018  report, Guinea is ranked 125th out of 190 economies 
in terms of the ease of starting a business, as against 133rd in 2017.6 Although the performance 
ratings for Guinea are good in terms of minimum capital needed, facilitation of procedures and short 
completion times, the cost of setting up a business as a percentage of per capita income is relatively 
high in Guinea (67.5 %) as compared to the other countries of sub -Saharan Africa (approximately 
54%). 
2.45.   Guinea has signed 24 international investment agreements, including 18 reciprocal 
investment promotion and protection agreements and one double taxation agreement on the 
avoidance o f double taxation. Apparently eight of these agreements have been ratified and have 
taken effect.7 
2.46.   Guinea is a member of the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). 
It is also a signatory to the Convention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment 
Disputes (ICSID Convention).  
 
 
                                                
5 Law No.  0032/2017/AN of 4  July 2017.  
6 Online information viewed at:  http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/guinea#starting -
a-business . 
7 UNCTAD (2010). The countries with which Guinea has ratified these agreements are: Benin, 
Cameroon, China, France, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius and South Africa.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 23 - 
  3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures directly affecting imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  
3.1.  Any economic operator wishing to engage regularly in import (or export) activities must obtain 
a trader's card, valid for two years, from the Ministry of Trade. This card shows the commercial 
register number, the bank account number and, where appropriate, the tax registration number 
(NIF). To obtain a trade r's card it is necessary to:  
• pay a fee of GNF 200,000 in the case of partnerships or GNF 300,000 in all other cases;  
• submit a copy of the document of registration in the Trade and Personal Property Credit 
Register issued by the Private Investment Promotion  Agency (APIP) for GNF 212,500 in 
the case of partnerships and between GNF 700,000 and GNF 1,800,000 in all other cases.  
3.2.  Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2011, Guinea has taken measures to facilitate trade and 
thereby reduce import clearance times and  costs. New trade facilitation measures were introduced 
with the adoption of a new Customs Code in June  2015; these were aimed at making the clearance  
loop paper -free, in particular by processing customs documents electronically.  
3.3.  The progress in computeriz ation recorded since 2011 includes the switch by customs offices 
from the automated customs system ASYCUDA++ to ASYCUDA WORLD. According to the authorities, 
most of the offices in Conakry have switched to ASYCUDA WORLD. Guinea has a total of 37 customs 
offices, including ten in Conakry. All of the offices in Conakry are computerized, together with 
four offices in the rest of the country. The ASYCUDA WORLD system is available in nine offices in 
Conakry and it is planned that the hydrocarbons office should ma ke the switch in January  2018.  
3.4.  Customs formalities have been speeded up by introducing electronic document transmission 
(manifest, declaration). Provisional submission and removal procedures are possible subject to the 
lodging of security corresponding to the amount of duties and taxes payable. Other advances include 
the improvement of the electricity network and the conclusion of protocols of agreement with certain 
importers to facilitate the procedure pending the establishment of the approved economic ope rator 
(AEO) regime, for example, for worn clothing. E lectronic payment is not yet in  place.  
3.5.  The computerized offices are linked to all customs clearing agents for goods declaration 
purposes. The computerization of declarations has simplified customs proced ures, the time required 
for which remains comparable with what it was in 2011, namely 48  hours. Since 2011, further 
progress has been made with the simplification of tax and customs formalities, including the project 
to interconnect the Customs, the Centra l Bank, the tax administration and the European Union's 
Trade Support and Regional Integration Programme (PACIR) with the other countries of the 
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The OEA programme, as defined in 
Article  18 of the new Cust oms Code, has not yet been implemented.  
3.6.  There is, moreover, an urgent release procedure which takes around 24 hours. It is granted 
for the rapid release of certain categories of goods, in particular, medicines and perishable foods. 
The application for urge nt release must be made by an approved customs clearing agent, using a 
document (a "bonded" submission) which specifies the clearance times. Urgent release applications 
must be sent to the Customs at least seven days prior to the arrival of the goods in Gu inea. There 
are special procedures for UN aid consignments.  
3.7.  Customs procedures are governed by the new 2015 Customs Code. The main innovations 
include electronic filing of the manifest and the OEA system, which is not yet in place. An ECOWAS 
Community Cust oms Code has been drawn up, but has not yet been adopted by the States. Once 
the Community Code has been adopted, the national Customs Code will be reviewed.  
3.8.  All imports, other than those explicitly exempted, with an f.o.b. value equal to or greater than 
US$2,000, require the prior signature, by the importer or by an approved customs clearing agent, 
of a descriptive import declaration (DDI) with the Ministry responsible for trade. Joint Order 
No. A/4892/MC/MEF/SGG of 23  September  2014 of the Ministry of Tra de and the Ministry of the WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Economy and Finance amends and supplements the 2009 Order concerning the creation of the DDI 
and descriptive export declaration (DDE) single window, with a view to improving collaboration 
between the Central Bank, the Customs and  the Treasury Directorate. According to the authorities, 
these measures were taken for statistical purposes in order to analyse the differences between 
intentions to import and actual imports and support the operators. In the case of exports, the  DDEs 
enable the Ministry of Trade, together with the Central Bank, to monitor the repatriation of foreign 
currency earnings from exports.  
3.9.  The issuance of the DDI is subject to the payment of a fee, the amount of which is established 
in Article 9 of the joint order.  The amount of the fee, which has not changed since 2011, is calculated 
on the basis of the f.o.b. value of the goods at the following rates:  
• GNF 400,000 for goods with a value of GNF 50,000,000 or less.  
• GNF 600,000 for goods with a value of between GNF 50 ,000,000 and GNF 100,000,000.  
• GNF 800,000 for goods with a value of between GNF 100,000,000 and GNF  200,000,000.  
• GNF 1,000,000 for goods with a value of between GNF 200,000,000 and GNF  250,000,000.  
• For imports with an f.o.b. value of more than GNF 250,000, 000, the fees are paid at the 
rate of GNF 1,000,000 for each tranche of GNF 250,000,000.  
• 0.5% of the f.o.b. value for imports of petroleum products.1 
The sum of GNF 15,000 in file processing charges required for the DDI in the last TPR has been 
abolished.  
3.10.   Imports of the following goods are exempt from payment of the fee for filing a DDI: 
pyrotechnic products (for mining), pets, local specialties and traditional craft products of the 
ECOWAS member countries, and gifts offered by foreign governments or intern ational organizations.  
3.11.   A DDI is valid for six months on a non -renewable basis. The DDI form, completed and signed 
by the importer, must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:  
• the trader's card;  
• the business activity card;  
• the tax registration number (NIF);  
• the bank cheque or receipt for payment into the account opened by the Treasury with the 
Central Bank;  
• the pro forma  or final invoice; and  
• where appropriate, the transport document (bill of lading, air waybill, consignment note) 
or other shipping document.  
3.12.   The fees are all paid into the account of the Treasury's Central Receiver with the BCRG and 
distributed as follows: 80% is allocated to the State budget, while 20% is used to fund the operation 
and equipment of the DDI/DDE Servic e. 
3.13.   The import verification programme implemented by BIVAC International, a subsidiary of 
Bureau Veritas, was terminated at the end of March  2017, after being extended by the Government 
in 2013. According to the authorities, this activity is to revert to th e Customs. The commission 
charged under the import verification programme has been abolished.  
                                                
1 Article 11 of the 2014 Joint Order.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 25 - 
  3.14.   The goods must be cleared by the importers or by approved customs clearing agents.2 The 
profession of customs clearing agent is regulated by Order No.  A/2015/6244/MDB/SGG of 
4 December  2015. Approval is granted for an indeterminate period by the Minister responsible for 
customs at the proposal of the Director -General of Customs and is su bject to certain conditions, 
including the exercise of the profession as the main activity and the submission of numerous 
documents, including a certificate of registration in the Commercial Register, a certificate of 
registration with the National Tax Dir ectorate, a birth certificate, a certificate of nationality, an 
extract from the judicial record less than three months old, a cur riculum vitae attesting to five  years 
of professional experience or the holding of a higher education diploma in customs studi es and the 
result of a vocational test.  
3.15.   Customs clearing agents are approved to operate throughout the country. Under Article 16 of 
the 2015 Order, the clearing agent's remuneration is fixed by the Director -General of Customs after 
consulting the Chamber o f Commerce and Industry and/or the President or representative of the 
Federation of Approved Customs Clearing Agents, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the 
price legislation. According to the authorities, in practice the remuneration of custom s clearing 
agents is set freely; however, a draft text proposing a remuneration ceiling was under consideration 
in 2017.  
3.16.   In general, to clear imported goods, it is necessary to produce the originals of the invoice, 
the DDI for goods worth at least US$2,000 , the bill of lading or the air waybill, the packing list, the 
certificate of origin and a phytosanitary certificate where applicable. Depending on the  
circumstances, other documents may be required, under specific regulations. Special authorizations 
are r equired to import fuel, asbestos, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and arms, ammunition and 
explosives.  
3.17.   Physical checks may be carried out by customs inspectors in the port or airport. Depending 
on their level of risk, in customs the goods must pass through: a  red channel (high risk), requiring 
a physical inspection of the documents and the goods before clearance; a yellow channel (medium 
risk), for inspection of the documents and scanning of the goods; or a green channel (low risk), for 
clearance without the n eed for inspection. In practice, at the end of 2017, all goods were being 
directed through the red channel. However, the switch to ASYCUDA WORLD will make it possible to 
introduce a risk management system in 2018.  
3.18.   According to the authorities, an EU projec t to improve the application of the risk management 
system is in the process of being implemented. To this end, an Information, Risk Management and 
Control Policy Division has been established and is working to target certain goods. The origin of the 
produ cts and their sensitivity are being targeted in order to intensify controls. The project includes 
the establishment of a framework institution and a risk management  selectivity committee. It is 
expected that ASYCUDA WORLD will facilitate implementation.  
3.19.   The goods are also scanned; the related charges, payable by the importer, amount to: 
US$65  per full or partially loaded 20 -foot container, and US$100 per full or partially loaded container 
in excess of 20 feet in length. Empty containers are scan ned but ther e is no charge. Two  scanners 
are available for inspections. Almost all the containers pass through the scanner. Following scanning, 
in 90% of cases, inspection takes place on the premises of the importer. In suspicious circumstances 
and where the products are considered sensitive, a systematic inspection is carried out at the 
dockside.  
3.20.   Where all the documents are available, the average stay of the goods in customs has been 
reduced from ten days in 2011 to three days in 2017. The average clearance time recor ded in 2017 
was 48 hours for all procedures combined, including the release for consumption procedure.  
3.21.   At the end of 2017, there were 373 operators connected to ASYCUDA WORLD, used for 
processing imports and exports. The information needed to make out the customs declaration is not 
specified on the Customs website, which is currently non -operational and being revised. Goods are 
declared electronically and it will soon be possible to submit the necessary supporting documents in 
the same way. Electronic decla ration is mandatory in all the computerized offices.  
                                                
2 Articles 134 to 136 of the 2015 Customs Code.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 26 - 
 
  3.22.   All imported or exported goods must form the subject of a detailed declaration assigning them 
to a customs procedure. At importation, the detailed declaration must be lodged as soon as the 
goods arrive a t the customs office (when there is no summary declaration) or within a period of 
three days following the arrival of the goods. It may be lodged in advance, prior to the arrival of the 
goods at the office.3 
3.23.   To facilitate clearance, economic operators may establish warehouses, clearance areas and 
container terminals. These sites can be used for the temporary storage of imported goods (which 
are not immediately declared under a detailed declaration) and of goods that have fulfilled the 
declaration formalitie s and to which a customs export or re -export procedure has been assigned. 
The legal provisions are contained in Articles 126 to 131 of the 2015 Customs Code. The maximum 
stay of the goods in warehouses or clearance areas is fixed at 30 days for seaborne go ods and 
ten days for the rest. The duties and responsibilities of the operator form the subject of an 
undertaking on its part secured by an annual bond. Ten or so of these entities were active in 2017.  
3.24.   Guinea confirms that it has been applying the WTO Agre ement on Customs Valuation4 since 
March  2010. The WTO provisions on customs valuation have been i ncorporated into Articles 30 to  37 
of the Customs Code. A "technical committee responsible for implementing the transaction value of 
the WTO Agreement in the c ustoms clearance of goods" has also been set up by the Director -General 
of Customs.5 In the event of doubt with regard to the value stated, the customs administration may 
ask the importer for further evidence. If the doubts persist, the customs value will be determined 
by applying the other valuation methods for which the Agreement provides. The customs 
administration must inform the importer of its final decision, together with its reasons for reaching 
that decision, in writing and within a "reasonable per iod of time".  
3.25.   There is deviation from the transaction value for a number of specific products set out in 
two lists: one for social purposes and the other where systematic undervaluation on the part of the 
operators is suspected. "Official values", fixed by  the authorities, are used for the following products: 
rice 25% broken, powdered sugar, wheat flour (for social purposes) and cigarettes, which are very 
sensitive to smuggling (to correct possible undervaluation). Guinea is requesting assistance with the 
detection and correction of under -invoicing.  
3.26.   The Special Tariff Commission has been renamed the Customs Appeals Commission (an 
independent body).6 An order of the Minister responsible for customs establishes the membership 
of this Commission and its rules o f procedure.7 It is composed of representatives of the supervisory 
Ministry, the private sector and the Ministry of Justice.  
3.27.   However, in the first instance the objections raised by importers and users are examined at 
the level of the Studies, Regulation an d Tariffs Division of the Directorate -General of Customs 
through its tariffs and values section. In the event of disagreement, the operator may then resort 
to the Appeals Commission, or ultimately to the courts. In practice, no dispute has been taken to 
the courts. The cases often concern value and, to a lesser extent, tariff classification. Statistics on 
the number of cases heard by type of dispute are not available.  
3.28.   In December  2017, Guinea had not yet ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
3.1.2   Rules of origin  
3.29.   Guinea has not notified any non -preferential rules of origin to the WTO Committee on Rules 
of Origin. The Customs Code does not contain any relevant provisions.  
3.30.   However, according to Article 26 of the Customs Code, the country of origin of a prod uct is 
that in which it was wholly obtained, that is to say, in which the product was harvested, raised, 
extracted from the soil or manufactured. The rules to be followed for determining the origin of goods 
                                                
3 Article 133 of the Customs Code.  
4 Order No.  A/2010/2872 MEF/SGG of 23  March  2010 and WTO document G/VAL/N/1/GIN/1 of 
22 December  2014.  
5 Decision No.  00333 of 18  August  2010.  
6 The Customs Appeals and Expertise Commission was established by Article 48 of the 2015 
Customs  Code.  
7 Order No.  A/2017/1385/MB/CAB/SGG of 13  April 2017.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 27 - 
  obtained in a country using products harvested, r aised, extracted from the soil or manufactured in 
another country are established by international conventions or by order of the Minister responsible 
for customs. Where rules of origin are concerned, the agreements that bind Guinea are the ECOWAS 
provisio ns and the Guinea -Morocco Trade and Tariff Agreement. Guinea  applies preferential rules of 
origin within the context of ECOWAS and the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP).8 
3.31.   For products to be considered originating the ECOWAS rules require that:  
• the products be wholly obtained in the member States;  
• processed products be classified in a tariff heading different from that of the inputs used;  
• the minimum proportion of inputs of Community origin be 60%;  
• the value added to the raw materials used amount to at least 30% of the ex -factory cost 
price of the products net of tax.  
3.32.   Certificates of origin are issued by the Ministry of Trade. Dual approval (for enterprises and 
products) is required.  
3.33.   In the case of Guinea, 19  enterprises and 64 products have been appr oved within ECOWAS. 
The sectors concerned include agri -food products, such as fruit juice, beer, wheat flour, broths, fish, 
instant coffee, and sweets, as well as manufactured products, such as wire ties and nails, sheet iron, 
soap, paint, mastics, coloran ts, adhesive for cement, mattresses, furniture, tableware, 
anti-mosquito products, rubbish bins, plastic packaging and other articles of plastics, and mineral 
fertilizers. Approval is granted once and for all. The tendency is to use approval and no longer require 
the certificate of origin. The ECOWAS certificate of origin is valid for six months with a single entry.  
3.34.   For the purposes of the Guinea -Morocco Agreement, a product is considered to be originating 
when the value added ratio is equal to or greater t han 40%.  
3.1.3   Customs duties  
3.1.3.1   MFN applied tariff  
3.35.   Guinea has applied the ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) since 1  January  2017, with a 
few exceptions allowed during the transition period, which expires on 1  January  2020. Although it 
entered into force on 1  January 2015, the application of the ECOWAS CET was postponed in Guinea, 
Liberia and Sierra Leone due to the Ebola epidemic.  
3.36.   The ECOWAS CET is based on the four -band WAEMU CET (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%). The 
ECOWAS CET introduces a number of innovations, includin g a fifth 35% band (130 tariff lines). 
However, it is regarded as problematic in a number of sectors from the standpoint of competition 
and food security.  
3.37.   The products to which Guinea applies rates different from those of the ECOWAS CET are 
contained in th ree lists (Table A3.1):  
• List A, which covers 90 products liable to the import adjustment tax (TAI). These are 
strategic products and the list is flexible. This list is comprised of products for which the 
CET is higher than the Guinean customs duty;  
• List B,  which covers 30 products liable to the TAI during the transition period and for which 
the CET is lower than the Guinean customs duty;  
• List C, which covers 49 products liable to the supplementary protection tax (TCP) 
(previously called the degressive prote ction tax (TDP)).  
                                                
8 WTO document G/RO/78  of 10 November  2016.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 28 - 
 
  3.38.   The tariff communicated by Guinea for the year 2017 is based on the 2017 version of the 
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS); it is ad valorem  for all lines. Taking 
into consideration the accompanying measures set out i n the Community and national provisions 
(Lists A, B and C in the case of Guinea), the tariff applied by Guinea in 2017 can be described as 
follows: apart from the previous four bands ( 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) and the new 35% band 
introduced by the ECOWAS CET,  Guinea also has a 30% rate. The 6,128 ten -digit tariff lines are 
distributed as follows (Chart 3.1):  
• 118 tariff lines at the rate of 0% within the zero category relating to essential products of 
a social nature comprising health, educational, cultural and  informational items, together 
with equipment and inputs for agriculture, livestock farming and fishing – raw materials 
and inputs for manufacturing finished products in this category are subject only to the 
processing and assessment fee  (RTL)9; 
• 2,285 tari ff lines at the rate of 5% within category 1 covering staples, unprocessed raw 
materials and capital goods;  
• 1,391 tariff lines at the rate of 10% within category 2 for semi -finished products and 
industrial inputs;  
• 2,165 tariff lines at the rate of 20% with in category 3 reserved for end -consumer products 
and other products not included in the other categories;  
• 47 tariff lines at the rate of 30%;  
• 117 tariff lines at the rate of 35% relating to "specific goods for economic development", 
namely, certain agricul tural, cotton (HS 52), soap and other products (HS 34); and  
• 5 tariff lines where the rates are missing.  
Chart 3.1 Breakdown of the applied MFN tariff rates, 2017  
 
Note:  The figures in parentheses correspond to the percentage of total lines. The figures do not add up to  
100% because of the missing tariffs (five lines).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities.  
3.39.   With the application of the 2017 tariff, the average rate remai ned identical with that of the 
tariff applied in 2011, namely 12.1% (Table 3.1). The highest average rates are those applied to 
products of animal origin (23.5%) and clothing (20%). The average tariff protection for agricultural 
products (WTO definition) h as been strengthened more than that for other products. On average, 
the tariff rates have fallen by more than 4 percentage points on transport equipment and by more 
than 3 percentage points on coffee and tea. The average tariff protection has increased by nearly 
                                                
9 Article 20 of the 2017  Finance Law.  
(1.9)(37.3)
(22.7)(35.3)
(0.8)(1.9)
05001,0001,5002,0002,500
0% 5% 10% 20% 30% 35%Number of tariff linesWT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 29 - 
  5 percentage points on products of animal origin, 2 percentage points on dairy products and 
1.5 percentage points on beverages and tobacco and fishery products (Chart 3.2).  
3.40.   When the ISIC definition is used, manufactured products become the most prot ected (with 
an average tariff of 12.3%), closely followed by agriculture (11.7%) and mining and quarrying 
(5.1%) (Table 3.1).  
Table 3.1 Structure of MFN duties, 2011 and 2017  
 2011  2017  Bound duty ratesa 
1. Bound tariff lines (% of total lines)  n/a n/a 39.7 
2. Simple average of applied MFN rates  12.1 12.1 20.4  
Agricultural products (WTO definition)  14.3 15.5 39.6  
Non-agricultural products (WTO definition)  11.7 11.5 9.9  
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and  fishing (ISIC 1)  12.4 11.7 39.5  
Mining & quarrying (ISIC 2)  5.2 5.1 Unbound   
Manufacturing (ISIC 3)  12.2 12.3 17.5 
3. Duty -free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  3.2 1.9 0.8 
4. Simple average of rates (dutiable lines)  12.5 12.4 20.9 
5. Non -ad valorem  duties (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
6. Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
7. National tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)b 0.0 0.0 0.1 
8. International tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)c 41.0 38.0 17.9 
9. Global standard deviation of applied rates  7.0 7.6 15.6 
10. Coefficient of variation  0.58 0.62 0.77 
11. "Nuisance" applied rates (% of all tariff lines)d 0.0 0.0 0.0 
n/a Not applicable.  
a The final bound rates are based on WTO consolidated  tariff schedules database (CTS) 
(5,292  eight-digit tariff lines, in accordance with the HS -12 nomenclature).  
b National tariff peaks are duties that are higher than three times the simple average of all applied rates.  
c International tariff peaks are duties that exceed 15% . 
d Nuisance duties are rates higher than zero but less than or equal to 2%.  
Note:  The 2017 tariff consists of 6,128 tariff lines (ten -digit, in accordance with the HS -17 nomenclature).  
 The 2011 tariff consists of 5,763 tariff lines (ten -digit, in accorda nce with the HS -02 nomenclature).  
 Calculations based on the national tariff line level.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities and the WTO database.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Applied MFN duty rates, by WTO product group, 2011 and 2017  
(%) 
 
Note:  The tariff average calculations are based on 2011 (HS -02 nomenclature) and 2017 
(HS-17 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities  
3.41.   The rate dispersion has clearly deteriorated, with a coefficient of variation that has increased 
from 0.58 with the 2011 applied tariff to 0.62 with the ECOWAS CET. However, the proportion of 
international tariff peaks has decreased from 41% over the total nu mber of lines under the tariff 
applied in 2011 to 38% in 2017, reflecting the re -categorization of certain products under lower 
rates. Global tariff escalation in 2017 remains comparable with that in 2011 with slightly higher 
rates. In other words, both no minal and effective protection levels remain comparable with those of 
2011. The current taxation of inputs is one of the concerns expressed by certain industries.  
3.42.   Overall, the tariff is characterized by mixed escalation (Table 3.2), slightly negative from raw 
materials (10.3%) to semi -finished products (10%) and positive towards finished products (13.8%). 
A breakdown at ISIC two -digit level reveals positive tariff escalation in the food; textiles and 
clothing; wood and articles of wood; paper, articles of p aper, printing and publishing industries and 
in other manufacturing industries (Chart 3.3). Positive escalation does not encourage the industries 
concerned to seek competitiveness on the international markets and hence their development. Tariff 
escalation is mixed in the other industries, which aggravates the production costs of the enterprises 
that use taxed inputs and/or discourages them from improving their competitiveness.  
3.43.   The ECOWAS CET does not provide for access to tariff quotas and Guinea does not m aintain 
any such quotas.  
0510152025
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 242011 2017
1. Agriculture
2. Products of animal origin
3. Dairy products
4. Fruit, vegetables, plants
5. Coffee, tea
6. Cereals and other    
preparations
7. Oilseeds, fats  & oils8. Sugar and confectionery
9. Beverages and tobacco
10. Cotton
11. Other agricultural 
products
12. Non -agricultural 
products
13. Fish and fishery 
products
14. Metals and minerals15. Chemical products
16. Wood, paper, etc.
17. Textiles
18. Clothing19. Leather, footwear, etc.
20. Non -electrical 
machinery
21. Electrical machinery
22. Transport equipment
23. Other manufactured 
articles n.e.s.
24. PetroleumAverage applied rate
2011 -12.1%
2017 -12.1%WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 31 - 
  Table 3.2 Brief analysis of MFN duties, 2011 and 2017  
  2017  2011  
Number 
of lines  Simple 
average 
rate 
(%) Range  
(%) CVa Duty -free 
tariff 
lines  
(%)b Simple 
average 
rate 
(%) 
Total  6,128  12.1 0-35 0.6 1.9 12.1 
Harmonized System (HS)        
Chapters 1 to 24  1,119  16.2 5-35 0.5 0.0 15.0 
Chapters 25 to 97  5,009  11.2 0-35 0.6 2.4 11.6 
By WTO definition        
Agriculture  918  15.5 5-35 0.6 0.0 14.3 
Animal products  117  23.5 5-35 0.5 0.0 18.6 
Dairy products  35  14.3 5-35 0.7 0.0 12.3 
Fruit, vegetable, plants  237  17.4 5-35 0.4 0.0 16.8 
Coffee, tea  66  14.5 5-35 0.6 0.0 17.7 
Cereals and other preparations  117  13.5 5-35 0.6 0.0 13.7 
Oilseeds, fats & oils  97  11.2 5-35 0.6 0.0 10.7 
Sugar and sugar confectionery  20  12.8 5-35 0.7 0.0 12.2 
Beverages and tobacco  82  19.8 5-35 0.4 0.0 18.3 
Cotton  7  5.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 
Other agricultural products  140  9.5 5-20 0.6 0.0 8.6 
Non-agricultural products  5,210  11.5 0-35 0.6 2.3 11.7 
Fish and fishery products  271  15.8 5-20 0.3 0.0 14.3 
Metals & minerals  1,004  11.5 0-30 0.6 3.3 11.2 
Chemical products  1,011  7.6 0-35 0.8 4.6 7.4 
Wood, paper, etc.  322  11.7 0-35 0.6 4.3 11.2 
Textiles  617  16.2 0-35 0.4 0.3 16.4 
Clothing  218  20.0 20.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 
Leather, footwear, etc.  195  12.9 0-20 0.5 1.0 13.1 
Non-electrical machinery  570  6.8 0-20 0.6 1.2 6.4 
Electrical machinery  271  11.2 5-20 0.6 0.0 11.4 
Transport equipment  273  8.8 0-30 0.6 1.1 13.0 
Other manufactured articles n.e.s.   434  14.2 0-20 0.5 1.8 14.6 
Petroleum  24  13.1 0-20 0.6 8.3 13.4 
By ISIC sectorc       
Agriculture, hunting, forestry & 
fishing  452  11.7 5-35 0.6 0.0 12.4 
Mining & quarrying  103  5.1 0-10 0.2 1.0 5.2 
Manufacturing  5,572  12.3 0-35 0.6 2.1 12.2 
By stage of processing        
Raw materials  848  10.3 0-35 0.6 0.4 10.2 
Semi-finished products  1,924  10.0 0-35 0.7 1.4 9.9 
Finished products  3,356  13.8 0-35 0.6 2.7 13.7 
a Coefficient of variation (CV).  
b Percentage of total lines.  
c International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (Rev.2), electricity, gas and 
water excluded (one tariff line).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities and the WTO database.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 32 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Escalation of applied MFN tariff rates by manufacturing industry, 2017  
 
Note:  The groups of products are those defined by the two -digit ISIC.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities.  
3.44.   The Ministry of the Budget established, by order, the National Common External Tariff 
Committee (CONATEC), an interinstitutional think -tank composed of representatives of the technical 
Ministries, civil society, the private sector and business associations. Th is body has as its objective 
the management of all issues linked with the effective implementation of the ECOWAS CET in Guinea. 
It is responsible for the work preliminary to the implementation of the CET; evaluating its impact on 
the economy, in particular  on imports; and for proposing appropriate  support measures such as the 
preparation of lists of products that f all within the scope of the TAI  (List B) and the TCP (List  C) and 
for monitoring the application of the CET.  
3.45.   The difficulties encountered by Guin ea in adopting the Community scheme relate to the use 
of different languages by the various ECOWAS countries, which is responsible for problems with the 
interpretation of the texts, as well as to the fact that some users and customs clearing agents are 
not sufficiently familiar with the scheme.  
3.1.3.2   Tariff bindings  
3.46.   Guinea has bound 39.7% of its tariff lines, namely, all agricultural products and 29.5% of 
non-agricultural products. The rates are ad valorem and range from 0% to 75%. The simple average 
of the bound  rates is 20.4%, or 39.6% for agricultural products and 9.9% for non -agricultural 
products. Almost all the agricultural products are bound at a ceiling rate of 40% (97% of all 
agricultural tariff lines). Lower bound rates (5% -25%) apply to some agricultura l products, such as 
wheat flour, pig fat, ship's biscuit, milk, cream and beer. Higher bound rates (75%) are applicable 
to tobacco products. A large proportion of non -agricultural lines are bound at 7% or less (64% of 
bound non -agricultural tariff lines); the higher bound rates (40%) apply to products such as coral, 
fish and crustaceans, inorganic or organic compounds, mercury and cork.  
3.47.   At present, the applied rates exceed the bound rates on 10.9% of tariff lines. The majority of 
the lines concerned relate to non -agricultural products, mainly clothing and electrical and 
non-electrical machinery (Table 3.3). The difference between the applied and bound rates, together 
with the small proportion of bound tariff lines, detracts from the predictability of Guinea' s tariff 
regime. The other duties and taxes are bound at 0%, 23%, 43%, 53%, 63% or 93%. Consequently, 
the application of other import duties and taxes by Guinea, including the Community levy and the 
TCP, poses a problem of fulfilment of commitments with re spect to the goods for which these duties 
and taxes have been bound at zero.  
0.05.010.015.020.025.0%
Not applicable Unprocessed 
products Semi -processed
productsFinished productsAverage rate 
applied in 
manufacturing 
Food products, 
beverages and 
tobacco
Textiles and 
clothing
Wood and 
articles of 
wood
Paper and articles 
of paper, printing 
and publishing
Chemicals
Non-metallic 
mineral 
products
Basic metal 
industry
Metal articles, 
machinery and 
equipment
Other 
manufacturing 
industriesNot applicableWT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 33 - 
  Table 3.3 Number of lines with applied rates higher than the bound rates  
  Number of ten -digit lines  
Total  652 
WTO agricultural products  11 
 Dairy products  4 
 Cereals and other preparations  2 
 Oilseeds, fats & oils  3 
 Beverages and tobacco  2 
WTO non -agricultural products  641 
 Fish and fishery products  29 
 Metals & minerals  50 
 Chemical products  20 
 Wood, paper, etc.  2 
 Textiles  56 
 Clothing  154 
 Leather, footwear, etc.  25 
 Non-electrical machinery  112 
 Electrical machinery  153 
 Transport equipment  17 
 Other manufactured articles n.e.s.  9 
 Petroleum  14 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities and the WTO database.  
3.48.   Guinea's Schedule of Concessions was transposed into the 2002 version and then into the 
2007 version of the HS and these schedules were certified in 2011 and 2014 within the context of 
the transposition exercise car ried out by the WTO Secretariat. More recently, it was transposed into 
the 2012 version of the HS and approved by all Members during the multilateral review of 
23 June 2017. In the absence of reservations on the part of WTO Members within 90 days, it was 
certified at the end of October  2017.  
3.1.3.3   Duty and tax concessions  
3.49.   The tariff exemptions regime has not changed since Guinea's last TPR in 2011. Order of the 
Minister of the Economy and Finance No.  A/2006/1771/MEF/SGG of 21  April 2006 defines the 
imports and ex ports eligible for conditional and exceptional exemptions.  
3.50.   The Guinean Customs Code provides for several customs procedures that allow for the 
suspension of import duties and taxes.10 These are: transit, customs warehousing, and temporary 
admission. Goods i mported under a suspensive customs procedure must be placed under cover of a 
bond-note comprising, in addition to the detailed goods declaration, the importer's joint and several 
undertaking and his security recognized as good and solvent for the purpose o f fulfilling,  within the 
prescribed time -limits, the obligations for which the laws and regulations provide. The security may 
be replaced by a deposit corresponding in amount to the duties and taxes payable. The undertakings 
given are cancelled or the sums  deposited reimbursed on sight of the discharge certificate issued by 
the customs clearing agent attesting to the fact that the obligations undertaken have been met. 
However, the Director -General of Customs may, to prevent fraud and guarantee the exportati on or 
re-exportation of certain goods, make the discharge of the bond -note subject to the production of a 
certificate, issued by the Guinean or foreign authorities, stating that the goods in question have been 
received at the intended destination.  
3.51.   Under th e Customs Code, goods in transit may benefit from suspension of the duties, taxes 
and prohibitions applicable. They are no longer subject to transit duty or the sealing fee. The 
payment of 0.25% of the c.i.f. value for the guarantee fund is managed by the Chamber of 
Commerce. Temporary admission with total or partial relief from duties and taxes is granted for 
goods temporarily introduced into Guinea and intended to be re -exported after having undergone 
processing or re -exported in the same state. When thes e goods are no longer to be re -exported or 
warehoused, the regularization of the temporary admission bond -notes may be authorized by the 
Director -General of Customs subject to payment of the duties and taxes in force on the date of 
registration of the bond -notes in question. The Minister responsible  for customs is authorized to 
determine the procedures under which goods authorized to leave the customs territory for further 
                                                
10 Articles 166 to 201 of the 2015 Customs Code.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 34 - 
 
  processing are subjected to payment of entry duties and taxes when re -imported. An or der to this 
effect is in process of being prepared.  
3.52.   In addition, the legislation provides for the establishment of public, private and special 
customs warehouses. In principle, warehousing suspends the application of the duties, taxes and 
prohibitions to w hich the goods are liable at importation. Restrictions on the entry, stay and removal 
of warehoused goods are determined by the Director -General of Customs. Goods may remain in a 
public warehouse for two years. At the end of this term, goods which have not  been re-exported, if 
not prohibited, are subject to import duties and taxes. If these duties and taxes are not paid, the 
goods are automatically warehoused before being publicly auctioned by the customs administration. 
A warehousing tax equivalent to 0.5%  of the c.i.f. value of the warehoused goods continues to be 
levied.  
3.53.   The new 2015 Investment Code provides for different incentive regimes during the investment 
implementation period (installation phase and production phase) (Section 2.4). During the 
installation phase, which may not exceed three years, enterprises eligible for the benefits of the 
Code are exempt from entry duties and taxes, including VAT on the import of equipment and 
materials, with the exception of motor vehicles designed for passenger t ransport. The 
0.5%  registration tax and the processing and assessment fee (RTL) of 2% of the c.i.f. value of the 
imports are still payable. During the production phase, imported raw materials and inputs are subject 
to the 2% RTL, to a 6% fiscal charge and to VAT at 18%. Exemptions are also granted under the 
Mining  Code (Section 4.2.1.2). The establishment agreements between the State and investors may 
also provide for fiscal and customs concessions.  
3.54.   The annual loss of revenue due to exemptions amounted to a round GNF 2,195  billion in 2016, 
as against GNF 1,841  billion in 2012 (including GNF 1,015  billion in 2016 for investment incentives, 
as against GNF 1,339  billion in 2012), that is, more than one third of annual customs revenue . 
3.1.3.4   Tariff preferences  
3.55.   Within E COWAS, total exemption from import duties and taxes is, in principle, granted to 
ECOWAS -area products11 when they are deemed to be originating and accompanied by the required 
certificates of origin. However, the free movement of goods within ECOWAS is facing a number of 
difficulties, whence the weakness of intra -Community trade (Section 3.1.2).  
3.1.4   Other taxes affecting imports  
3.56.   As indicated above, apart from the tariff, goods (or their means of transport) are subject to 
other duties and taxes  (ODTs) at importation . Seven ODTs were in force in 2017. Some of these 
levies are imposed by Community regulations, while  others are national. They may be permanent 
or temporary in nature.  
3.57.   The permanent levies are as follows:  
• Processing and assessment fee (RTL): 2% of the c.i.f. value of the imports, except for 
goods imported by embassies, mining companies and other entities  accorded like 
treatment.  
• Supplementary tax (centime additionnel (CA)): 0.25% of the c.i.f. value of all imports not 
explicitly exempted by the law, as well as on the f.o.b. value of exports of agricultural 
products. The following are excluded from the sco pe of the CA: raw materials imported by 
local industries, goods in transit through Guinean territory, goods imported by 
mining -sector enterprises and those destined for government projects and contracts. This 
tax is levied on behalf of the Chamber of Comme rce and the Chamber of Agriculture.  
                                                
11 The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme has, in principle, been fully applied since 1  January  2004.  
Viewed at: http://unpan1.un .org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/IDEP/UNPAN012953.pdf . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 35 - 
  • ECOWAS Community levy (PC): 0.5% of the c.i.f. value of all third -country imports into 
ECOWAS.  
• African Union community levy: 0.2% on all imports of certain products of 
non-African  Union countries, adopted on 16  May 2017 but not yet being applied.  
3.58.   The temporary, optional levies (Section 3.1.3.1) applied nationally to only 3% of tariff lines 
at most include:  
• the import adjustment tax (TAI)  levied by Guinea on a few products (List  B); and  
• the supplementary protection tax (TC P), which Guinea levies on certain products (List  C) 
at rates of 10% or 15%.  
3.59.   The 0.5% registration tax is applied to the c.i.f. value of all imports of capital goods, under 
the Investment Code and the Mining Code, for mining companies in the development ph ase and, in 
principle, exempt from customs duties.  
3.1.5   Internal taxes  
3.1.5.1   Value added tax (VAT)  
3.60.   The VAT regime was instituted by Law No.  L/95/035/CTRN of 30 June 1995, as supplemented 
by Law No.  009/95 of 28 December 1995 implementing the 1996 Finance Law. The rat e, which was 
18% at the time of Guinea's last TPR in 2011, rose to 20% in February  2016, before being restored 
to 18% by the 2017 Finance Law.12 It is collected on imports, deliveries of goods and services 
provided on Guinean territory by a taxable person, for consideration, as well as on commercial 
subsidies of any description.13 
3.61.   VAT applies automatically to all natural or legal persons with an annual turnover equal to or 
greater than GNF 500  million, whatever the nature of their operations. Enterprises with  an annual 
turnover of between GNF 150  million and GNF 500  million may be made subject to VAT on the 
authorization of the National Director of Taxes. Purchases of goods and services intended for the 
operation of enterprises that are holders of mining right s and exploration permits are subject to  VAT. 
3.62.   The VAT on imports is calculated on the c.i.f. value, plus the amount of the tariff, the RTL 
and, where appropriate, the excise duties and TCP. For locally produced goods, the tax base is the 
actual total amoun t of the price asked by the seller for delivering the goods or providing the services.  
3.63.   The products exempt from VAT are listed in Table 3.4. Exports and international transport 
operations are zero -rated. Consequently, exports give entitlement to reimbursem ent of the tax 
collected on inputs used in the production of the goods concerned.14 Between 2007 and 2013, there 
were complaints of serious delays in the reimbursement of VAT. According to the authorities, since 
2014 there has been an improvement in the col lection of VAT revenue, which is channelled into an 
escrow account at the BCRG. The Directorate -General of Taxes (DGI) is responsible for the 
administrative management of VAT and the Treasury for its reimbursement.  
Table 3.4 Exemptions and other exceptions to the normal VAT regime  
List of goods and services exempt from VATa 
Sales of stamps for the benefit of the State budget, together with imports of these goods  
Banking operations and the services of credit institutions, which are subject to specific taxation  
Transfers of immovable property and movable tangible property other than those made by estate or leasing 
agents  
Operations relating to the rental of undeveloped land and empty premises  
Sales, imports,  printings and compositions of printed periodicals  
                                                
12 Article 8 of the  2017 Finance Law.  
13 Article 356 of the 2015 General Tax Code.  
14 Reimbursements should  be made in accordance with the procedure envisaged in Article 387 of the 
Tax Code and Artic le 16 of Decree No.  95/354/PRG/SGG of 28  December  1995 and described in Article 8 of 
Order No.  A/96/3330/MF/SGG of 18  June 1996 implementing the VAT ( see Annexes 1 and 2) and 
supplemented by Joint Ministerial Instruction No.  1976/MEF/MBB/CAB/14 of 1  Januar y 2014.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  List of goods and services exempt from VATa 
Services or operations of a social, educational, sporting, cultural, philanthropic or religious nature provided by 
non-profit organizations  
The following goods:  
- rice; 
- wheat;  
- flour and additives used in its production;  
- bread;  
- edible oils;  
- palm oil;  
- fish (2012 Finance Law, Art icle 18). 
The following goods under conditions to be laid down by ministerial order:  
- pharmaceuticals;  
- fertilizers and phytosanitary products;  
- school books and supplies;  
- domestic gas (as from January  2018).  
Sales of used goods by persons that have used them for business purposes  
Vessel mooring, towing and piloting operations for loading goods at exportation, together with transit, loading 
and transhipping operations on goods intended for export (2014 Finance Law, Article 39)  
Sales of crops by the producers  
a Article 362 of the 2015 Tax Code.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
3.1.5.2   Fixed import levy  
3.64.   A fixed levy of 10% of the c.i.f. value is payable on all imports of goods made by natural or 
legal persons not registered for VAT and for companies subject to income or profits tax on all local 
purchases of goods and services made by the State, local authorities, public establishme nts, mining 
enterprises, telephone companies, banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions and oil 
companies. The State withholds the 10% on the invoices.15 
3.1.5.3   Excise dut y 
3.65.   Guinea continues to impose excise dut y at various rates (5%, 15%, 20%, 45%, 47%  and 
GNF 135  per litre), on certain imports. The 5% rate applies to perfumes and toilet water; beauty 
and make -up preparations; hair preparations; pre -shaving and shaving preparations; and used 
motor cars more than five years old. The 15% rate applies to w igs; jewellery; and articles of 
goldsmiths' wares, other articles of precious metal, and articles of natural or cultured pearls. The 
20% rate applies to cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The 45% rate 
relates to wine of f resh grapes, vermouth and other wines and fermented beverages; and ethyl 
alcohol, spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages. The 47% rate applies to beer made from 
malt. The rate of GNF 135 per litre applies to lubricants. The import excise duty reg ime is designed 
and managed by the Customs.  
3.66.   When levied on local products, excise duty is called the tax surcharge and is collected by the 
DGI. A specific tax is levied on alcoholic beverages manufactured in Guinea, including beer and other 
alcoholic bever ages. The excise duty is GNF 1,000 per bottle or can up to 50 cl and GNF  1,500 per 
bottle or can of more than 50 cl16, which differentiates the excise duty regime for local products from 
that for imports and fails to guarantee observance of the national tre atment principle.  
3.67.   The tax base for imports is the c.i.f. value plus duties and taxes of all kinds, with the exception 
of VAT. According to the authorities, excise duties are applied in the same way to imports and 
identical locally manufactured products, wh ich are taxed at first sale or when released for 
consumption. The tax base for local products is the ex -factory selling price, net of VAT.  
3.68.   The revenue generated by customs import duties and VAT on imports doubled between 2011 
and 2016 (Table 3.5).  
                                                
15 Amending  2015 Finance Law.  
16 Article 432 of the 2015 General Tax Code.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 37 - 
  Table 3.5 Customs revenue, 2011, 2014 -2016  
(GNF 1,000) 
Taxes on foreign trade and 
international transactions   2011  2014  2015  2016  
Fiscal i mport duty  P 766,638,369  608,690,793  492,579,020  480,361,129  
 EP 966,659,993  947,209,542  1,160,608,081  
Fiscal export  duty  
262,534,278  266,254,119  211,233,897  388,110,648  
Excise duty   
12,708,979  21,150,829  27,424,795  37,672,977  
Degressive protection tax   
27,959,743  30,744,036  23,623,282  19,250,261  
Transit duty   
2,132,361  0 0 0 
Storage charge   
205,191  226,385  312,156  302,043  
Warehousing tax  P 9,175,599  47,278,425  33,564,847  29,690,372  
 EP 3,139,928  3,740,544  5,016,343  
Processing and assessment fee  P 136,471,940  79,643,683  54,130,106  54,301,487  
 EP 194,793,378  200,140,395  241,779,660  
Proceeds of auction sales   
1,057,473  3,913,320  1,251,998  1,365,110  
Customs registration tax   
5,526,546  3,308,383  6,642,310  7,417,586  
Recovered from past financial 
years   
24,326,723  40,105,923  53,804,676  40,209,060  
Customs fines and seizures   
2,731,976  6,214,903  3,945,026  3,998,788  
VAT on imports  P 1,015,509,111  886,755,382  734,326,636  821,657,180  
 EP 965,023,046  1,019,497,748  1,488,653,707  
Administrative services fee   
n.a. 0 0 0 
Tax on petroleum products  P 1,845,508  87,431,255  488,443,131  762,173,303  
Road maintenance charge  P 135,128,179  174,391,032  182,481,356  202,990,761  
Budget sub -total  
2,403,951,976  4,385,724,813  4,484,351,465  5,745,558,496  
Treasury cheque, special series   
38,846,536  240,879,637  97,199,548  68,639,050  
Budget total   
2,442,798,512  4,626,604,450  4,581,551,013  5,814,197,546  
Deferred payments   
2,004,697  3,867,234  3,732,948  5,196,116  
Supplementary tax (CA) for the 
Chamber of Commerce   
16,672,811  18,437,855  17,299,052  19,837,155  
Supplementary tax (CA) for the 
Chamber of Agriculture   
1,793,327  9,513,022  9,888,232  13,114,293  
Community levy   
31,675,104  41,211,878  42,856,208  59,586,118  
Fixed levy   
78,770,841  81,162,410  81,579,057  135,849,042  
Mineral extraction tax   
0 0 161,535,657  117,328,346  
Stamp duties   
0 0 0 27,730  
Treasury sub -total  
130,916,780  154,192,399  316,891,154  350,938,800  
Overall total   
2,573,715,292  4,780,796,849  4,898,442,167  6,165,136,346  
n.a.  Not available.  
Note:  P (petroleum products); EP (excluding petroleum products).  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
3.1.6   Import prohibitions, restrictions and licen sing 
3.69.   Guinea has never submitted a notification to the Committee on Import Licensing since it 
acceded to the WTO. In principle, all merchandise imports are subject to a descriptive import 
declaration (DDI). According to the authorities, the DDI is used for statistical purposes and issued 
against payment of an amount that varies with the value of the goods (Section 3.1.1). The DDI is 
supposed to be  issued automatically.  
3.70.   The prohibitions and restrictions on the entry and exit of products form the subject of Order 
of the Minister of the Economy and Finance No.  A/2006/1772/MEF/SGG of 21  April 2006. At 
importation, the following products are prohibited:  live animals and meat; equipment that can be 
used for minting coins; arms and ammunition, military equipment; obscene publications; medals 
and numismatic coins; poisons and narcotic drugs; explosives; plants and fertilizers; fuels; and 
asbestos. The reaso ns for prohibiting them relate to security, morality and custom. The importation 
of these products is covered by a special procedure.  
3.71.   The importation of pharmaceuticals is subject to the prior approval of the Ministry responsible 
for health and the importa tion of currency to a special declaration procedure.  
3.1.7   Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures  
3.72.   Guinea has not made any notification to the WTO concerning contingency trade measures. 
However, there are similarities between the TCP and the safeguar d measure.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  3.1.8   Other measures affecting imports  
3.73.   No agreement has been concluded with foreign governments or enterprises with a view to 
influencing the quantity or value of goods and services exported to Guinea. Likewise, the authorities 
are not aware of any su ch agreements between Guinean and foreign enterprises.  
3.74.   The objective of the Letter on national local content policy of April  2017 is to achieve rapid, 
sustained and inclusive economic growth, driven by a private sector that creates jobs and adds 
value. Loc al content is defined as being the added value created by the employment of Guinean 
nationals, the purchase of local goods and services, subcontracting in favour of local enterprises, 
and activities at the level of all the value chains resulting from the u pgrading and exploitation of 
local resources.  
3.2  Measures directly affecting exports  
3.2.1   Procedures and requirements  
3.75.   Export procedures have been facilitated by creating a single window for the DDI and the DDE. 
The registration formalities for exporters are also a pplicable to exporters (Section 3.1). Under the 
Customs Code, the goods must form the subject of a detailed declaration at importation and 
exportation. For exports and re -exports of a commercial nature, the declaration must be detailed, 
in writing and acco mpanied by all the necessary documents. Special declarations are required to 
export minerals and precious stones.  
3.76.   The DDE is required for all exports with an f.o.b. value equal to or greater than US$2,000. It 
is filed with the DDI/DDE Service in the Minist ry responsible for trade and is valid for a  non-renewable 
period of six months. The supporting documents to be provided by the declarant are the same as 
for the DDI (Section 3.1.1).  
3.77.   The issuance of the DDE is subject to the payment of a fee, the amount of which is determined 
as follows (Article 10 of the joint order)17: 
• GNF 1,500 per tonne for agricultural products;  
• GNF 2,500 per tonne for manufactured products and various food preparations;  
• GNF 2,500 per tonne for waste and scrap, ferrous or of glass, and f errous composites;  
• 0.27% of the f.o.b. value for industrial wood, sawn or processed;  
• 0.35% of the f.o.b. value for animal or vegetable fats and oils;  
• 0.85% of the f.o.b. value for engine oil, lubricants, and grease for machinery;  
• 0.33% of the f.o.b. value for alcoholic and non -alcoholic beverages and vinegar;  
• 0.19% of the f.o.b. value for fish, fishery products, meat, poultry, eggs, raw hides and 
skins and leather; and  
• GNF 2,500 per tonne for any other product.  
3.78.   Exports of the following goods are exempt from  payment of the fee for filing a DDE: 
newspapers, personal effects, samples of products, and postal parcels. Moreover, there is a 
US$100  charge per container for passing goods through the scanner. A prime -ministerial instruction 
was issued in  2016 to aboli sh this charge for cashew nuts in order to promote cashew  exports. In 
practice, other leading products (coffee and cocoa) have also benefited from this measure. According 
to the authorities, the concession made for coffee and cocoa is not covered by any le gal text 
(Section  3.2.4).  
3.79.   The certificates of origin and SPS certificates required by importing countries granting tariff 
preferences to Guinean products are issued to exporters by the Guinean Export Promotion Agency 
(AGUIPEX) via an official of the Direct orate responsible for foreign trade, against payment of the 
sum of GNF 50,000 per certificate. They are then approved by the customs administration.  
                                                
17 Joint Order of the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance 
No. A/4892/MC/MEF/SGG of 23  September  2014 amends and supplements the 2009 Order relating to the 
creation of the single window for the DDI and the DDE.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 39 - 
  3.80.   Under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade, AGUIPEX's principal mission is to implement 
government poli cy on product development and the promotion of goods and services for export. 
AGUIPEX maintains a single window for helping exporters to obtain the various certificates 
(fumigation certificate, certificate of origin, SPS certificate, quality certificate) r equired for exports 
in order to validate the technical controls carried out by the various competent services. Exports of 
wood and agricultural and fishery products require a quality control certificate and a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by AGUIPEX, a packing certificate issued by the Customs, and a certificate of origin 
for the wood if export is permitted.  
3.81.   There is a special procedure for exercising the profession of gold and diamond exporter. All 
gold exports are carried out by the Central Bank for th e account of natural or legal persons duly 
enrolled in the commercial register. Gold must pass through the Central Bank's laboratory to be 
melted down and assayed against payment of GNF 300  per gram for laboratory costs. The quantity 
to be exported must fo rm the subject of a regular declaration lodged with the customs services. The 
administrative and customs formalities are carried out once the exporter has proceeded to pay the 
export tax, equivalent to 0.55% of the value of the consignment to be exported, into the Treasury 
in foreign currency. The Central Bank's charge for accepting, holding and securely transporting each 
cargo to the airport is 0.15% of the value of the consignment for export. The 0. 55% and 0.15%  taxes 
have been suspended since June  2017 t o encourage the repatriation of foreign currency.  
3.82.   Exports must be domiciled with the Central Bank or a commercial bank. For all exports of 
mining products and in accordance with the foreign exchange regulations in force, the resident 
exporting customer is required to repatriate the equivalent in foreign currency of the quantity 
exported within 30 days of the date of shipment of the consignment. This repatriation period was 
reduced from 45 to 30  days in June  2017. The destination of the export consignment re mains at the 
discretion of the exporter. For exports of other products the period is 90 days.  
3.83.   Applications to export diamonds are dealt with by the National Bureau of Expertise (BNE) 
overseen by the Ministry of Mines, with a copy for the Central Bank's Directorate -General of  
Operations. The application must be accompanied by a copy of the export licence.  
3.84.   In addition to the detailed export declaration and the transit order, the following documents 
are required when exporting gold or diamonds: the DDE, the  dispatch notes, the invoice, the 
exemption form (according to the customs procedure), the specifications, the Central Bank's 
valuation document, and the certificate of origin for the diamonds ( Kimberley Process Certification 
Scheme ). 
3.2.2   Taxes and levies  
3.85.   Guinean legislation provides for an export revenue duty (DFE) ranging from 0% to 5%; 
azero  rate on agricultural and industrial products of Guinean origin; 2% of the value of re -exports 
of goods of foreign origin, previously imported against payment of the duties and taxes in force in 
Guinea; 3% of the value of gold and diamonds exported by natural persons, the Central Bank and 
other legal persons; and 5% of the value of exports of gold and other metals or precious stones by 
mining companies, except where an  express provision of an agreement contains specific indications. 
In the mining sector, the 0.075% tax on exports of bauxite is collected by the Customs  (Table 4.3). 
Other export revenue duty rates for other mining products are also negotiated and incorpor ated in 
special agreements concluded between the Guinean State and the  mining companies.  
3.86.   Apart from the DFE, AGUIPEX collects specific levies of US$13 per tonne on exports of coffee, 
cocoa and cashew nuts. These sums are used to finance the producers in th ese segments and to 
pay Guinea's contributions to various institutions (Interafrican Coffee Organization (IACO)18, 
International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)19, African Cashew Alliance20) and AGUIPEX's operating 
expenses. A levy of GNF 25,000 per tonne is impose d on exports of ferrous waste and scrap. 
Moreover, the supplementary tax (CA) is levied, at the rate of 0.25%, on exports of agricultural 
products, in principle for the benefit of the National Chamber of Agriculture (Section  4.1.2).  
                                                
18 Online information v iewed at: http://www.iaco -oiac.org . 
19 Online information v iewed at: https://www.icco.org . 
20 Online information viewed  at: https://www.africancashewalliance.com/fr . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions and l icensing 
3.87.   In principle, the quantitative restrictions on exports (including prohibitions) imposed by 
Guinea are derived from the treaties to which it is party. These are, in particular, the 
Basel  Convention on the Control of Transboundary Mo vements of Hazardous Wastes and Their 
Disposal and the CITES (on protected species). Thus, some products, waste and/or species are 
subject to an export permit, certificate or prohibition. The Government may, when the circumstances 
so require, regulate or s uspend the exportation of certain goods.21 
3.88.   In fact, in 2015, two orders of the Minister of Trade prohibited the exportation by land of 
cashew nuts, coffee and cocoa.22 However, their exportation via the port and airport of Conakry 
continued to be authorized.  In accordance with a prime -ministerial instruction any vehicle 
transporting cashew nuts will be seized and sold at auction. Moreover, a field -side floor purchase 
price for cashew nuts has been fixed at GNF 5,000 per kilo (€0.58) and only operators approve d by 
the Ministry of Trade may market them.23 
3.89.   Raw diamond exports are subject to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the  
Central Bank houses the offices of the service responsible for issuing the certificates. The 
re-exportation of rice and the e xportation of sugar during Ramadan and of petroleum products are 
prohibited in Guinea.  
3.90.   In 2017, the list of prohibited exports included wild animals and their remains; live domestic 
animals and their meat and skins; seagoing vessels; capital; military equi pment; historical, scientific 
and cultural objects; and gold and materials made of gold (except when authorized).24 
3.2.4   Export subsidies and promotion  
3.91.   With a view to promoting exports, Guinea's Customs Code provides for inward processing, 
which permits the impo rtation, with suspension of duties and taxes, of goods which are to undergo 
working or processing before being re -exported. The authorization for inward processing is granted 
by the Director -General of Customs.25 
3.92.   Moreover, the Investment Code accords a numb er of benefits to production enterprises 
exporting goods and services, with the exception of activities relating to the resale of goods in the 
same state, mining and petroleum sector enterprises, manufacturing, the sale of explosives, arms 
and ammunition, and banks and finance. These involve tax and customs concessions granted during 
the installation (three years) and production phases (Section 2.4).  
3.93.   In addition, there are a number of bodies charged with promoting Guinean exports, mainly:  
• The Guinean Export  Promotion Agency (AGUIPEX), which replaces the Export Formalities 
Support Centre (CAFEX) and provides information about marketing opportunities on the 
various markets, training of exporters and raising of their awareness of the techniques of 
international  trade, and support for exporters in connection with their export 
approaches/formalities. An administrative public establishment with legal personality and 
financial and managerial autonomy, AGUIPEX is waiting for the decree on its organization 
and operati ng procedures. It is financed by State subsidies and fees for services rendered. 
Every export operation requires the disbursement of GNF 50,000 (fixed sum) to obtain the 
various certificates (fumigation certificate, certificate of origin, SPS certificate, quality 
certificate) (Section 3.2.1). The control fees (laboratory, analysis certificate) are not 
included in this fixed sum. The products identified by AGUIPEX as promising exports 
include pineapples, mangoes, shea butter, palm oil, sesame and fresh and p rocessed 
leaves (cassava and sweet potato). Mango exporters benefit from a project to help finance 
                                                
21 Article 12 of the 2015 Customs Code.  
22 Order No.  A/2015/0212/MC/CAB of 16  March  2015 regulating the export of cashew nuts; Order 
No. A/2015/064/MC/CAB of 28  January  2015 regulating the export of coffee and coc oa. 
23 Prime -Ministerial Instruction of 11  April 2016 in which the head of government stressed that the 
Guinean cashew nut market was being invaded by numerous foreign buyers acting in violation of the 
regulations in force and the remedial measures taken by  the Guinean Government.  
24 Order No.  A/2006/1772/MEF/SGG of 21  April 2006.  
25 Articles 244 to 248 of the 2015 Customs Code.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 41 - 
  the export of mangoes. AGUIPEX also produces statistics on exports of agricultural 
products.  
• The International Trade and Export Promotion Centre (CIEPEX), wh ich organizes 
international fairs and exhibitions to promote Guinean products. Originally an NGO, 
CIEPEX is now a private centre financed by foreign experts (Germany, Canada) and by 
income from the fairs.  
3.94.   According to the authorities, there are no industri al free zones in Guinea. The projects to set 
up the free zones of Kakossa, in the Forécariah prefecture (for agri -food industries) and 
Koba Taboriah in the Boffa prefecture (for mining industries) have failed to produce results.  
3.95.   A project for a special eco nomic zone (ZES) at  Boké will include an industrial park, service 
areas, offices, a logistical platform, a commercial zone, tourism complexes, and residential areas.26 
Financed by a public -private partnership, its cost is estimated at US$2.08  billion. It wi ll cover an 
area of 20 km2 and will be developed in three phases over a period of 20 years. It is planned to 
launch the project in January  2018. A law will establish the rules governing the operation and 
organization of the zone, including the rules for th e administration and management of the ZES. 
According to the authorities, this project, managed by the Ministry of State responsible for 
public -private investment matters, is based on the Chinese model and has been encountering 
difficulties at the financia l level.  
3.96.   Guinea does not apply any voluntary export restraint measures.  
3.2.5   Export financing, insurance and guarantees  
3.97.   According to the authorities, Guinea does not have any export financing and/or guarantee 
mechanism.  
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.98.   A new Investment Code was adopted in May  2015 by means of Law No.  L/2015/008/AN. It 
instituted a preferential regime which grants tax and customs concessions for investment during the 
installation and production phases.27 To access the regime, inv estors must be in one of the eligible 
sectors and fulfil certain conditions. Qualifying enterprises must be involved in one of the following 
sectors:  
• agriculture, livestock, fishing, forestry and preservation of plant, animal or fishery 
products;  
• productio n and on -the-spot processing of local resources;  
• tourism and related activities, information and communication technologies (ICT), social 
housing, sanitation and urban and industrial waste processing;  
• road, port, airport and rail infrastructure;  
• health and  education services, assembly and maintenance of industrial equipment, 
tele-services, road, air and sea transport services; and  
• arts and crafts sector.  
                                                
26 Decree No.  D/2017/089/PRG/SGG of 25  April 2017 on the creation of a special economic zone in the 
Boké administrative region.  
27 Articles 16 to 33 of Decree No.  D/2013/186/PRG/SGG promulgating Law No.  L/2013/067/CNT of 
31 December  2013 establishing the  2014 Finance Law.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 42 - 
 
  3.99.   Investors registered in the RCCM , up-to-date with their tax obligations and engaged in 
business start -up or expansion projects are eligible for the preferential regime.  
3.100.   The benefits of the preferential regime apply throughout the national territory, which is 
subdivided into two zones (A and B) (Section 2.4).  
3.101.   Customs and tax concessions are granted to mining companies that have concluded 
agreements with the State (Sections 2 and 4).  
3.3.2   Standards and technical regulations  
3.3.2.1   Standards, technical regulations, testing, certification and accreditation  
3.102.   In Guinea, standardization is governed by Law No.  L/93/040/CTRN of 15  October  1993 on 
standardization and the certification of conformity with standards. There have been no amendments 
to this law since Guinea's last TPR in 2011. Under this law, the Guinean  Standardization and 
Metrology Institute (IGNM) is responsible for co ordinating the  drafting of Guinean standards in all 
sectors of the economy. As a scientific and technical public establishment, it is under the supervision 
of the Ministry responsible for industry. Decree  No. 105/PRG/SGG/89 of 20  May 1989 defines the 
compo sition and functions of the IGNM.  
3.103.   In addition to performing its main role in the drafting of standards, the IGNM disseminates 
existing standards among users at national level; surveys standardization requirements and sets up 
standardization programmes; acq uaints businesses with methods of quality control; manages the 
system of certification of conformity with standards by issuing certificates and administering a 
national quality mark (NG); promotes national standards on Guinean territory; evaluates, calibra tes 
and checks measuring instruments used in trade, industry and laboratories; and participates in 
metrological and standardization work at regional and international levels.28 
3.104.   The initiative in the drafting of a standard may come from any interested reside nt (natural 
or legal person). The proposal may relate to a new standard or the adoption of an international 
standard or its conversion into a national standard. Six technical commissions have been set up for 
this purpose, each within its sphere of competen ce, namely: building and civil engineering; fisheries; 
the agri -food industry; tourism and the hotel trade; electrical engineering; and chemistry, textiles 
and the environment. The process of adoption of a standard comprises several stages. Firstly, the 
IGNM, on the advice of the competent technical commission, adopts or rejects the initiative, 
depending on its importance for the national economy, health and safety or sales. Then draft 
standards are drawn up by the competent technical commissions and submit ted to a public inquiry 
(involving government agencies, importers, producers, etc.) over a period of two to three months 
to ensure their conformity with the public interest. Foreign players residing in Guinea are also 
consulted. All the comments received a re compiled and distributed within the technical commission 
concerned for appraisal and amendment with a view to the preparation of a final draft. Once the 
final draft has been approved by the commission, it is made available to the IGNM and the standard 
is published as adopted.  
3.105.   Standards are approved by order of the Minister responsible for industry, after consulting 
the Ministers responsible for the sectors concerned. Approval renders the application of the standard 
mandatory (technical regulation) for al l the public and private economic operators concerned.  
3.106.   Standards may be revised in accordance with the procedures applied for drafting and 
approving them. In the event of problems with the application of approved standards, the Minister 
responsible for ind ustry may grant waivers after consulting the Ministers whose services are 
concerned. However, requests for waivers must be based on good grounds. The waivers may relate 
either to the mandatory nature of the standard or to the implementation period. However , such 
waivers may not be granted where there is a risk of their being prejudicial to the public interest.  
3.107.   At present, the IGNM has more than 600 Guinean standards (including technical regulations) 
mainly in the agri -food; cement; wood; fishing; building; textile chemistry; environment; and 
                                                
28 Online information  viewed at: 
http://www.iso.org/iso/fr/about/iso_members/iso_member_body.htm?member_id=1763 . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 43 - 
  electromechanical sectors. In December  2017, Guinea had approved standards (technical 
regulations) in the agri -food industries (40, of which 39 in 2015), the building material industries 
(cement, wood, sheet metal roofin g29), and chemistry (paints and varnishes)30, as well as six relating 
to environmental protection.31 At the end of 2017 an order was being drawn up with a view to 
approving eight standards relating to chemical products (cosmetic and personal hygiene products 
and bleach). According to the authorities, Guinea's standards and technical regulations do not make 
any distinction between imported and domestically manufactured products.  
3.108.   There are several bodies responsible for quality control, depending on the area con cerned 
(Section  3.3.3). Thus, the task of the National Quality Control Office (ONCQ) is to control the  
application of the regulations relating to the quality of consumer goods in Guinea, including with 
regard to packaging, labelling and marking. As a scien tific and technical public establishment, the 
ONCQ comes under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and SMEs.32 The ONCQ is 
responsible for controlling the hygienic and normal commercial quality of, among other things, plant, 
animal and fisher y products, cosmetics, medicines, soap and paint, at importation and exportation 
and on local markets. It has an analytical laboratory at its disposal.  
3.109.   At importation, the inspectors are supposed to carry out three types of control:  
• documentary controls (c ertificate of origin, quality certificate and fumigation certificate);  
• identity controls to verify the correspondence between the documents provided and the 
characteristics of the product imported; and  
• physical controls based on inspection of the means and  conditions of transport of the 
product, verification of the appearance of the product and its labelling and the taking of 
samples for analysis.  
3.110.   Following inspection, entry into the national territory may be authorized if the product 
conforms to the standa rds and regulations in force. The inspector may authorize entry under certain 
conditions (for example, phytosanitary treatment), reject the product or seize and destroy it, if 
tainted or toxic.  
3.111.   The main products subject to export controls are coffee, cocoa , cashew nuts, palm oil, 
mangoes and bananas. At exportation, the quality control certificate is issued by AGUIPEX.  
3.112.   Conformity is certified by the IGNM and approved by applying the national conformity mark 
NG. In return, the IGNM collects fees, the amount of which is determined by the Finance  Law. In 
practice, since Guinea's last TPR, the IGNM has carried out controls and issued certificates of 
conformity only for food products, in particular, alcoholic and non -alcoholic beverages, wheat flour 
and vegetable  oils, in addition to the cement conformity controls previously carried out. The 
certificate is required at importation for clearing these products. The quality controls for the other 
products subject to technical regulations are contracted out to various approved Guinean 
laboratories.  
3.113.   Order No.  798/MCIPME/CAB/SGG of 3  February  2010 establishes the ONCQ's tariffs for 
24 imported products (Table 3.6), for inspections carried out, depending on the mode of transport 
or warehouse, analyses of local production, and analyses of Guinean products at exportation.  
                                                
29 Order No.  A/2003/4743/MCIPME/CAB/SGG of 25  June 2003 on the granting of approval and 
mandatory certification of conformity to the eight Guinean standards relating to  sheet metal roofing.  
30 UNDP (2005).  
31 Order No.  A/2015/342/MIPMEPSP/CAB of 27  February  2015 approving six Guinean standards relating 
to the protection of the environment.  
32 Order No.  A/3492/2009/MCIPME/SGG of 1  December  2009 establishing the statutes and functions of 
the ONCQ.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  Table 3.6 Tariffs for analysing samples of imported products  
No. Product description  Tariff (GNF)  
1. Wines and spirits  500 
2. Tobacco and cigarettes  500 
3. Beer 500 
4. Rice and other cereals  500 
5. Flour 300 
6. Soft drinks  350 
7. Preserves and semi -preserves  300 
8. Pasta products, biscuits  300 
9. Edible oils  300 
10. Mineral oils  500 
11. Milk and milk products  300 
12. Drinking water  300 
13. Spices, herbs, onions  250 
14. Apples, fresh, and other fresh products  250 
15. Paint and related products  400 
16. Toothpaste  350 
17. Soap and cosmetic products  350 
18. Eggs and egg products  400 
19. Meat and meat products  400 
20. Batteries, candles and insecticides  350 
21. Medicines  500 
22. Sweets and sweetened products  300 
23. Margarine and mayonnaise  300 
24. Fish and fishery products  350 
Source:  Order No.  798/MCIPME/CAB/SGG of 3  February  2010.  
3.114.   Depending on the mode of transport, the tariffs for inspections are GNF 4,500 for ships, 
GNF2,000 for trains, GNF 500 for lorries and GNF 250 for storage and/or sales warehouses. For 
exports, the preliminary field -side verification tariff is GNF 200. Tarif fs for verifying the quality of 
goods leaving the national territory have been fixed for the following products (Table 3.7):  
Table 3.7 Tariffs for verifying the quality of goods leaving the national territory  
Product description  Tariff (GNF)  
Coffee, cocoa, sesame, cashew nuts and other dry products, 
oilseeds  2 GNF/kilo  
Edible oils  20 GNF/litre  
Fruit and vegetables  1 to 5 tonnes   GNF 100  
Over 5 tonnes  GNF 200  
Source:  Order No.  798/MCIPME/CAB/SGG of 3 February  2010.  
3.115.   Guinea is not a signatory to any mutual recognition agreement (MRA). However, a 
cooperation agreement between the IGNM and the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) was signed in 
March  1998. The IGNM has been notified to the WTO as the nationa l enquiry point for all questions 
relating to technical barriers to trade (TBT).33 A single notification was made to the WTO in 
November  2014 concerning the technical regulations in force.34 It relates to cements and states the 
conditions for possible specif ic controls of their particular characteristics (safety of the structure, in 
particular of large -scale works such as hydroelectric dams).35 
3.3.2.2   Packaging, labelling and marking  
3.116.   The Guinean technical regulations on packaging, labelling and marking cover, among o ther 
things, green coffee, "cement, ordinary or for tropical use" (packaging and marking); and pesticides, 
food additives sold as such and health foods (labelling). The labelling of pesticides must display, in 
French, information concerning, among other th ings, the nature of the product and its mode of 
                                                
33 WTO document G/TBT/ENQ/38/Rev.1  of 8 July 2011.  
34 WTO documents G/TBT/36 of 23 February  2015 and G/TBT/N/GIN/1  of 26 November  2014. Viewed 
at: http://tbtims.wto.org/fr/RegularNotifications/View/92736?FromAllNotifications=True . 
35 Order No.  A/98/2269/MPSPIC/CAB/SGG approving three Guinean standards rela ting to cement.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 45 - 
  action, the precise identity and the authorization number of its manufacturer, the uses for which the 
product is approved and the instructions for use.36 
3.117.   Specific aspects concerning packaging, labelling and marking are defined in the 39  standards 
in the agri -food area approved in 2015. The products concerned and the product references are 
indicated in Table 3.8.  
Table 3.8 Agri-food standards approved in 2015  
No. Product  Legal reference  
1. Pineapples  NG 02 – 01 -002/2013/codex stan 182 -1993 
2. Mangoes  NG 02 – 01 -003/2013/codex stan 184 -1993 
3. Green beans, frozen, and wax beans, frozen  NG 02 – 01 -005/2013/codex stan 113 -1981 – 
green beans, frozen, and wax beans, frozen  
4. Tomatoes  NG 02 – 01 -006/2013/codex stan 293 -2008 – fresh 
fruit and vegetables (tomatoes) specifications  
5. Melons  NG 02 – 01 -007/2013/codex stan/CEE/ONU 
FFV-23  
6. Water melons  NG 02 – 01 -008/2013/codex stan/CEE/ONU 
FEV-37 
7. Fruit juices and nectars  NG 02 – 01 -012/2013/codex stan 247 -2005 
8. Wheat flour  NG 02 – 01 -022/2013/codex stan 158 -1999 
9. Papayas  NG 02 – 01 -023/2013/codex stan 183 -1983 
10. Groundnuts  NG 02 – 01 -024/2013/codex stan 200 -1995 
11. Whole maize (corn) meal  NG 02 – 01 -026/2013/codex stan 168 -1989 
12. Mayonnaise  NG 02 – 01 -030/2013/codex stan 168 -1989 
13. Dried vegetables  NG 02 – 01 -038/2013/codex stan 171 -1989 
14. Shea nuts  NG 02 – 01 -042/2013/ORAN 01 -2006 
15. Shea butter, unrefined  NG 02 – 01 -043/2013/ORAN 02 -2006 
16. Edible sorghum flour  NG 02 – 01 -044/2013/codex stan 173 -1989 
17. Gari NG 02 – 01 -045/2013/codex stan 151 -1989 
18. Edible cassava flour  NG 02 – 01 -046/2013/codex stan 176 -1989 
19. Olive oil and pomace olive oil  NG 02 – 01 -053/2013/codex stan 33 -1981 
20. Vegetable oils specifically named  NG 02 – 01 -054/2013/codex stan 210 -1999 
21. Edible fats and oils  NG 02 – 01 -055/2013/codex stan 19 -1981 
22. Rice NG 02 – 01 -057/2013/codex stan 198 -1995 
23. Maize (corn)  NG 02 – 01 -058/2013/codex stan 153 -1985 
24. Honey  NG 02 – 01 -061/2013/codex stan 12 -1981 
25. Whey powders  NG 02 – 01 -084/2013/codex stan 08 -1978 
26. Food additives  NG 02 – 01 -099/2013/codex stan 192 -1995 
27. Condensed milk  NG 02 – 02 -001/2013/codex stan 281 -1971 
28. Corned beef  NG 02 – 02 -003/2013/codex stan 88 -1981 
29. Whole milk powder and sweetened partially 
skimmed milk  NG 02 – 02 -005/2013/codex stan A 5 1971  
30. Margarine  NG 02 – 02 -013/2013/codex stan 32 1981  
31. Processed cheese and cheese spreads  NG 02 – 02 -085/2013/codex stan 08 1978  
32. Cream for direct consumption  NG 02 – 04 -009/2013/codex stan  
33. Food-grade salt  NG 02 – 04 -011/2013/codex stan 150 1985  
34. Natural mineral waters  NG 02 – 04 -012/2013/codex stan 108 1981  
35. Broths  and consommés  NG 02 – 04 -013/2013/codex stan 117 1981  
36. Sugar  NG 02 – 04 -027/2013/codex stan 212 1999  
37. Labelling of pre -packaged foods  NG 02 – 04 -010/2013/codex stan 05 -1985 
38. Labelling of food additives  NG 02 – 04 -014/2013/codex stan 156 -1999 
39. Labelling of and claims for pre -packaged foods 
for special dietary use  NG 02 – 04 -015/2013/codex stan 01 -1985 
Source:  Order No.  A/2015/1671/MIPMEPSP/CAB approving 39 standards in the agri -food area.  
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
3.118.   Guinea is a member of the FAO's International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 
Commission, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius 
Commission.  
3.119.   Guinea's institutional framework for sanitary and phytosanitary meas ures has not changed 
since its last TPR. It is characterized by a predominance of fragmented regulatory texts that bring 
                                                
36 Order No.  5716/MAEF/SGG/96 of 3  October  1996.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 46 - 
 
  various ministries into play without any real coordination. Thus, several ministries, departments and 
agencies share responsibility for  sanitary and phytosanitary controls and environmental protection. 
These are the Ministry responsible for public health; the Ministries responsible for agriculture and 
livestock; the Ministry responsible for fishing; the Ministries responsible for trade an d industry; and 
the Ministry responsible for the environment.  
3.120.   The services involved in the process of adoption of SPS standards are as follows:  
• National Service for the Protection of Plants and Stored Foodstuffs (SNPV -DS); 
• National Quality Control Office ( ONCQ);  
• Guinean Export Promotion Agency (AGUIPEX);  
• National Directorate of Foreign Trade and Competitiveness (DNCEC);  
• National Directorate of Domestic Trade and Competition (DNCIC);  
• National Directorate of Agriculture (DNA);  
• Guinean Institute for Agricultur al Research (IRAG);  
• National Directorate of Veterinary Services (DNSV);  
• National Office for the Sanitary Control of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (ONSPA);  
• Boussoura Fisheries Research Centre (CRHB);  
• Guinean Standardization and Metrology Institute (IGNM) ; 
• National Directorate of Industry (DNI);  
• National Directorate of Public Health (DNHP);  
• National Directorate of Sanitation and the Living Environment (DNACV);  
• Environmental Study and Research Centre (CERE); and  
• Representatives of the private sector and civil society.  
3.121.   Imports of animal products are controlled by the veterinary services of the Ministry 
responsible for livestock. The control procedures are carried out at three levels:  
• documentary controls to verify conformity with OIE standards;  
• identity co ntrols, which consist in verifying the correspondence between documents 
provided and the characteristics of the product imported; and  
• physical controls, which consist in taking samples for analysis in the veterinary laboratory.  
3.122.   In practice, cattle generall y do not enter through the formal channels. In principle, if there 
are any doubts about an animal, it can be quarantined at the border for up to 40 days. During this 
time, its state of health is checked and random tests are carried out. If no anomalies are  found, the 
animal is admitted for importation. In the event that a harmful organism is detected, quarantine is 
automatically longer, with the possibility of disinfection, destruction or change in intended use, which 
may be recommended as appropriate.  
3.123.   The introduction into Guinea of plant products, parts of plants, soil, manure, compost and 
all packaging, vehicles and containers used for transporting them is subject to the production of a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin. Law No.  L/92/027/CTRN establishing the 
phytosanitary control of plants at importation and exportation entrusts this task to the inspectors of 
the Plant Protection Directorate in the Ministry responsible for agriculture. Within the Directorate, 
the SNPV -DS is respons ible for controlling plant products at importation, exportation and on local 
markets.37 
3.124.   In principle, there are phytosanitary control posts at the ports, international airports and 
main land frontiers. In principle, products must be checked within a maximum  of 72 hours and their 
perishability must be taken into account. The sample sizes for plant material intended for sowing, 
planting material (cuttings, rhizomes, tubers, etc.), other plant products transported in sacks or 
boxes, and fresh fruit are fixed by  order of the Minister responsible for agriculture. After sampling, 
if the results of the analysis reveal an infestation, the products will, as appropriate, be placed in 
quarantine, disinfected, destroyed, or redirected.38 Order No.  2008/4361/MA/CAB of  5 November  2008 
establishes, for the main crops, a list of harmful organisms necessitating plant quarantine.  
                                                
37 Order No.  2015/1105/MA/CAB/DRH of 9  April 2015 establishes the statutes of the SNPV -DS. 
38 Order No.  2008/4362 /MA/CAB of 5  November  2008.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 47 - 
  3.125.   ONSPA is an administrative public establishment endowed with legal personality and financial 
and administrative autonomy. Created by Decree No.  D/2013/ N°127/PRG/SGG of 25  July 2013, it 
replaces the Fishery and Aquaculture Product Industry and Quality Assurance Service (SIAQPPA). 
ONSPA is responsible for the sanitary control of fishery products at landing, importation and 
exportation and on local markets,  including monitoring of the application of the laws and regulations 
governing the fisheries profession (Section  4.1.3.5).39 It has a sensory analysis laboratory and 
concludes protocols of understanding with laboratories specializing in microbiological and chemical 
analyses (in Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Mauritania). It is responsible, among other things, 
for identifying, characterizing and communicating on the health risks for fishery and aquaculture 
products (in application of HACCP principles) ass ociated with the implementation of good hygiene 
and manufacturing practices.  
3.126.   Since its last TPR, Guinea has adopted a number of texts relating to SPS, including:  
• Law No.  2015/026/AN of 14  September  2015 containing the Marine Fisheries Code;  
• Law No. 2015/02 7/AN of 14 September 2015 containing the Inland Fisheries Code;  
• Law No.  2015/028/AN of 14  September  2015 containing the Aquaculture Code;  and 
• Order No.  A/2012/7085/PMSGG of 19  July 2012 relating to the vitamin A content of 
refined vegetable oil.  
3.127.   In the aut onomous Port of Conakry, the control services of the Ministry responsible for the 
environment are tasked, inter alia , with overseeing compliance with the international conventions 
which Guinea has ratified. In principle, they control imports and exports of  all chemical products  and 
by-products that could be injurious to human health or the environment. However, in practice, the 
services of the Ministry of the Environment are encountering serious difficulties in performing this 
task since some exporters and importers are evading the controls and not voluntarily taking 
certificates except in an emergency.  
3.128.   Guinea has no legislation dealing specifically with GMOs.  
3.129.   Guinea made a total of 18 SPS notifications to the WTO between 2014 and 2016. These 
notifications r elate to one law and four orders (Table 2.1).  
3.3.4   Competition and price control policy  
3.130.   The regulatory framework for competition and price control has not changed since Guinea's 
last TPR. It is based on Law No.  L/94/40/CTRN of 28  December  1994 and its implement ing 
Decree  No. D/94/119/PRG/SGG. Order No.  9579/MCIPME/SGG/2004 of 13  September  2004 set up 
a Standing Consultative Committee on Competition and Prices (CCPCP), which is very little 
operational. Within the National Directorate responsible for trade and com petition, the 
National  Competition and Prices Observatory (ONCP) collects information on the prices of strategic 
and essential goods with a view to informing the CCPCP and proposing measures to prevent the  
setting of excessive prices. It also oversees the application of the laws and regulations relating to 
the exercise of the profession of trader, free competition, and the use of legal units of measurement.40 
                                                
39 The principal reference regulations are as follows:  Order No.  A/4057/MPA/CAB/2007 relating to the 
definition of quality criteria for water used in fishery and aquaculture product processing establishments; Order 
No. A/2009/4007/MPA/SGG/2009, amending No.  4053/4055/4056/4059/CAB/2007 establishing the 
microb iological and chemical criteria applicable to fishery and aquaculture products for human consumption; 
Order No.  A/2009/4008/MPA/SGG/2009 regulating the conditions of transport for fishery and aquaculture 
products; Order No.  A/2009/4009/MPA/SGG/2009 regulat ing the importation of fishery and aquaculture 
products; Order No.  A/2009/4010/MPA/SGG/2009 amending Order No. A/4054/MPA/CAB of 
14 November  2007, concerning the official control of fishery and aquaculture products; Order 
No. A/2009/4011/MPA/SGG/2009 amend ing Order No. A/4058 of 14  November  2007, establishing the health 
regulations governing the production and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products; Order 
No. A/2009/4012/MPA/SGG/2009 amending Order No. A/4051 of 11  November  2007 regulating hygien e 
conditions on board fishing vessels.  
40 Order No.  7075/PMCPME/SGG/2004 of 1  July 2004.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 48 - 
 
  3.131.   In periods of sharp price increases or shortages the State purchases foodstuffs, such as rice 
and su gar during the month of Ramadan, at the world price, and resells them at a subsidized price. 
Up until the entry into force of the CET, the State took responsibility for 10 percentage points of the 
rate for 25% -broken rice (12.5%). Since the entry into forc e of the CET, the State relies on 
wholesalers to import the products and market them at the agreed price. The State refunds them 
for the difference in charges after 90 days. The prices of these products are monitored by the services 
of the Ministry of Trad e on a daily basis.  
3.3.4.1   Competition policy  
3.132.   In principle, the following anti -competitive behaviour is prohibited: any action, whether or 
not concerted, any agreement or understanding, express or tacit, or any combine having as its 
object or possible effect the prevention or limitation of market access or the free exercise of 
competition by other natural or legal persons or the obstruction of price setting through the free 
play of the law of supply and demand, by promoting artificial price rises or falls. Also pr ohibited is 
the abuse by an enterprise or group of enterprises of a dominant position on the domestic market 
or a substantial part thereof. Such acts are subject to a fine ranging from GNF 1,200,000 to 
GNF 6,000,000.  
3.133.   The following are forbidden: any action  or words tending to denigrate a competitor, 
disorganize or disturb the market or mislead the public, the use of loss -leaders, selling at a loss, 
corruption to win customers, refusal to sell a product or a service to a consumer including the 
withholding of  a good without a legitimate reason, tied sales and services, and the imposition of 
retail prices. These acts are subject to a fine ranging from GNF 600,000  to GNF 1,200,000.  
3.3.4.2   Price regulation  
3.134.   In principle, Guinean legislation establishes free pricing. However, when exceptional 
circumstances result in the selling price of a strategic good or essential product becoming clearly 
unrelated to its cost price, it authorizes temporary price regulation measures, by order of the Minister 
responsible for trade and  the adoption of an implementing decree, after consultation with the CCPCP.  
3.135.   In 2004, the CCPCP drew up a list of essential and strategic goods.41 The main criterion 
adopted for the purpose of establishing the list of essential goods was that their consumpti on should 
be indispensable for satisfying vital needs. The following goods are listed: drinking water; rice; 
vegetable oil; fish; tomatoes; meat; wheat flour; bread; milk; and sugar. The prices of foodstuffs 
and other products are set on a case by case bas is. Where strategic goods are concerned, the 
criterion adopted was their importance for achieving economic and social development objectives. 
The goods concerned are the following: petroleum products (petrol, diesel , kerosene  and butane 
gas), the prices of  which are set by approval; building materials (cement, reinforcing bars, sheet 
metal); pharmaceuticals; phytosanitary products; agricultural, fishery and livestock inputs; and 
school supplies.  
3.136.   According to the authorities, only the prices of petroleum pro ducts and State -subsidized 
imported rice are under surveillance. However, the list of products has not been updated since  2004. 
In general, the CCPCP and the ONCP hold meetings to decide on the price structure, after a phase 
of information gathering and su bcommittee work. The information gathered relates, in particular, 
to: 
• invoices and other information provided by economic operators;  
• customs statistics and data provided by the Customs;  
• the results of investigations of the production units, local or foreig n, at which the goods 
concerned are produced; and  
• data on the trends in the production of the main imports and their prices on Guinean 
markets.  
                                                
41 Order No.  7058/MSIPME/SGG/2004 of 1  July 2004.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 49 - 
  3.137.   The subcommittee work consists of analysing the data collected, with a view to determining 
the margins applicabl e and the ceiling selling prices, in the light of certain economic factors 
(exchange rate, transport costs, etc.). The Ministry of Trade is responsible only for approval and for 
setting margins.  
3.3.5   State trading, State -owned enterprises and privatization  
3.138.   Guinea has submitted several notifications to the WTO concerning the absence of State 
trading enterprises within the meaning of Article XVII of the GATT.42 The last notification dates from 
2003.  
3.139.   At the end of October  2017, the State owned shares in 40 enterpris es. In 18 of them its 
holding exceeded 50% of the capital (Table 3.9).43 The principal sectors concerned are mining, 
transport and transport support services, financial services, telecommunications, industry, 
agriculture, energy and trade. The State also ha s a presence in communication, fishing, tourism and 
housing. Seven  enterprises hold monopoly positions in the mining, energy, transport and trade 
sectors.  
Table 3.9 Enterprises with a State holding, 2017  
No. Enterprise (acronym)  
Legal status  
State holding 
(%) Ministry 
responsible 
for technical 
supervision  
Location  
Monopoly  
Wholly State -owned companies       
1 1 Office guinéen de publicité (OGP)  WS 100 Communication  Conakry   
2 2 Agence nouvelle d'aménagement des 
infrastructures minières (ANAIM)  WS 100 Mines  Conakry  Monopoly  
3 3 Loterie nationale de Guinée (LONAGUI)  WS 100 Presidency  Conakry  Monopoly  
4 4 Société guinéenne de palmiers à huile 
(SOGUIPAH)  WS 100 Agriculture  Diécké 
(Lola)   
5 5 Société d'électricité de Guinée (EDG)  WS 100 Energy  Conakry  Monopoly  
6 6 Société des eaux de Guinée (SEG)  WS 100 Energy  Conakry  Monopoly  
7 7 Société navale de Guinée (SNG)  WS 100 Transport  Conakry   
8 8 Société de télécommunication de Guinée 
(SOTELGUI)  WS 100 Telecoms  Conakry   
9 9 Société d'aquaculture de Koba (SAKOBA)  WS 100 Agriculture  Koba 
(Boffa)   
10 10 Port autonome de Conakry (PAC)  WS 100 Transport  Conakry  Monopoly  
11 11 Office guinéen des chargeurs (OGC)  WS 100 Transport  Conakry   
Semi -public companies       
12 1 Société sino -guinéenne pour la coopération 
en développement agricole (SIGUICODA)  SP 50 Agriculture  Koba 
(Boffa)   
13 2 Société de gestion et d'exploitation de 
l'aéroport de Conakry (SOGEAC)  SP 51 Transport  Conakry  Monopoly  
14 3 Société mixte de dragage et de travaux 
(SOMIDRAT)  SP 66,50  Transport  Conakry   
15 4 Guinéenne de la large bande (GUILAB)  SP 52,00  Telecoms  Conakry   
16 5 Société d'exploitation du backbone 
(SOGEB)  SP 50,00  Telecoms  Conakry   
17 6 Société guinéenne de construction (SGC)  SP  Housing  Conakry   
18 7 Société minière de Niandan (SMN)  SP 50 Mines  Mandiana   
Limited companies with State participation       
19 1 Banque internationale pour le commerce et 
l'industrie de Guinée (BICIGUI)  LC 7,50 BCRG  Conakry   
20 2 Banque populaire maroco -guinéenne 
(BPMG)  LC 23,00  BCRG  Conakry   
21 3 Banque sahélo -saharienne pour l'industrie 
et le commerce (BSIC)  LC 2,36 BCRG  Conakry   
22 4 Crédit rural de Guinée (CRG)  LC 15 BCRG  Conakry   
                                                
42 WTO documents G/STR/N/1/GIN/1  of 22 January  1996; G/STR/N/7/GIN , G/STR/N/8/GIN and 
G/STR/N/9/GIN  of 24 March  2003.  
43 Guinean legislation considers "wholly State -owned companies" (WS) to mean companies in which the 
State holds 100 % of the capital and "semi -public companies" (SP) to mean those in which the State holds at 
least 50 % of the capital. "Public limited companies with  State participation" ( LC) are companies in which the 
State holds a minority stake.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 50 - 
 
  No. Enterprise (acronym)  
Legal status  
State holding 
(%) Ministry 
responsible 
for technical 
supervision  
Location  
Monopoly  
23 5 Union guinéenne d'assurance et de 
réassurance (UGAR)  LC 34,00  BCRG  Conakry   
24 6 La guinéenne à vie (LGV)  LC 18,33  BCRG  Conakry   
25 7 Société guinéenne de lubrifiants et 
d'emballages (SOGUILUBE)  LC 30 Trade  Conakry  Monopoly  
26 8 Société guinéenne des pétroles (SGP)  LC 7 Trade  Conakry   
27 9 Ciment de Guinée (CDG)  LC 39,11  Industry  Conakry   
28 10 Aredor First Mining Company LMD 
(AREDOR FCMC)  LC 15 Mines  Kérouané   
29 11 Compagnie des bauxites de Guinée (CBG)  LC 49 Mines  Boké  
30 12 Société aurifère de Guinée (SAG)  LC 15 Mines  Siguiri   
31 13 Société d'exploitation des gisements de 
Kinéro (SEMAFO GUINEE SA)  LC 15 Mines  Kouroussa   
32 14 Société de distribution des chaînes de 
télévision (SODITEV)  LC 1,2 Telecoms  Conakry   
33 15 Société guinéenne d'hôtellerie et 
d'investissement (SGHI)  LC 45 Tourism  Conakry   
34 16 Société de manutention de carburant 
aviation de Guinée (SOMCAG)  LC 34 Transport  Conakry   
35 17 Société arabe -libyo-guinéenne pour la 
promotion agricole et agro -industrie 
(SALGUIDA)  LC 35 Industry  Conakry   
36 18 Société des bauxites de Dabola/Tougué 
(SBDT)  LC 49 Mines  Conakry   
37 19 Air Guinée International (AGI)  LC 15 Transport  Conakry   
38 21 Société guinéenne de gestion 
agro-industrielle (SOGGAI)  LC 15 Industry  Conakry   
39 22 Compagnie industrielle de pêche et de 
commerce (CIPECO)  LC 15 Fisheries  Conakry   
40 23 Société minière de Boké (SMB)  LC 15 Mines  Conakry   
Source:  Information provided by the Guinean authorities.  
3.140.   The Privatization Unit at the Ministry responsible for finance administers the State enterprise 
reform process in collaboration with the National Directorate responsible for industrial development. 
Law No.  L/2001/018/AN of 28  October  2001 on the reform of public  enterprises and disengagement  
by the State sets the rules on the privatization of State enterprises. Any State disengagement 
process is subject to the prior authorization of the President of the Republic. This authorization is 
granted by decree adop ted in the Council of Ministers, on the proposal of the Minister responsible 
for privatizations. The end of each disengagement procedure is confirmed in the same way.  
3.141.   In general, the form of privatization adopted in Guinea is the total or partial transfer of the 
State's share of the capital of the State enterprise. However, without being limitative, the law also 
provides for the following forms: concession, sub -contracting, management contract and leasing 
(affermage ). Privatizations are generally implemente d by invitation to tender. An Inter -Ministerial 
Commission (Ministry of Finance and others) has been set up to manage the process. The technical, 
financial and social aspects are taken into consideration. An independent consulting firm is recruited 
by the Privatization Unit and the Minister responsible for privatizations to prepare the tender 
documents. It is the Ministry of Industry, responsible for technical analysis, and the Ministry of the 
Budget (Customs) that make the final choice of purchaser.  
3.142.   Accord ing to the authorities, the bid of the potential purchaser identified as a result of the 
invitation to tender is assessed by the Directorate responsible for industry before being transmitted 
to the Privatization Unit. In the event of a favourable opinion, a contract document is drawn up and 
submitted for negotiation between the takeover candidate and the Guinean State. The final 
agreement must be validated by the supervisory Ministry for the State enterprise being privatized 
and the Ministry responsible for  privatizations.  
3.143.   Privatization may proceed by way of derogation when a takeover candidate addresses a 
request to the supervisory Ministry for the State enterprise in question. The latter transmits the WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 51 - 
  request to the Minister responsible for privatizations,  which asks the Privatization Unit to propose a 
takeover price. However, according to the authorities, there have been no such privatizations.  
3.144.   In 2012, reforms were introduced to str engthen surveillance. A new Law No. L/2016/075/AN 
of 30 December  2016 on t he financial governance of public companies and establishments in Guinea 
contains new provisions on relations with the State, indebtedness procedures, and the obligation to 
transmit information useful for monitoring activities and to publish budgets and ac counts. The text 
implementing this law is in process of being drawn up. Public companies and establishments, called 
public bodies in the new law, are governed by OHADA  Treaty commercial company law and the 
specific rules relating to them.  
3.145.   According to Arti cle 2 of the new law, public bodies may be:  
• Public administrative establishments (EPA), when their activities are mainly administrative 
and the majority of their resources are derived from the State budget.  
• Public industrial and commercial establishments ( EPIC), when their main activity is 
industrial and/or commercial in nature and the majority of their resources are derived from 
the sale of goods and services. EPICs managed by the State are determined by decree on 
the proposal of the Ministry of Finance af ter consultation of the Council of Ministers.  
• Public limited companies (SA) when their main activity is industrial and commercial in 
nature and the majority of their resources are derived from the sale of goods and services.  
3.146.   The new law of 2016 defines the  conditions of establishment of public bodies and the 
modalities of their governance and supervision. Public companies, semi -public companies and 
administrative public establishments (EPA) are created by decree on the joint proposal of the Minister 
of Fina nce and the supervisory Minister. Public bodies have a board which determines their policies 
and oversees their implementation. The medium -term strategic policies of all the EPAs and public 
companies are set out in a programme contract covering a perio d of three to five  years. The budgets, 
forecasts and accounts of the public bodies are published on the websites of their supervisory 
ministries.  
3.147.   The new law defines the financial relations between public bodies and the State. The financial 
supervisors of the EPAs are the Ministry of the Budget and the Ministry of Finance. Pursuant to 
Article  8 of the Organic Law on finance laws, no levy, duty or tax may be directly charged to a public 
body,44 and the conditions and limits of its use of debt are also defined. In  conformity with this 
Organic Law and its implementing texts, an EPA may not borrow or issue debt. All the funds of an 
EPA are deposited and managed within a single account opened in the name of the Public Treasury 
among the accounts of the BCRG. Public an d semi -public companies may manage their cash in 
accounts opened in any private bank registered in Guinea. All financing operations with a maturity 
of more than 12 months must receive the prior authorization of the National Public Debt Committee 
following a report by the Minister of Finance.  
3.148.   The new law provides for strategic management, including new contracts with the 
National  Electricity Company (SNE) and the Guinea Water Company (SEG). The management 
contract with the SNE comprises a performance contrac t with an improvement in commercial 
services, new meters, an extensive communication campaign and a new dam. The new management 
contract with the SEG is in the drafting stage. The level of State participation provided for in the 
Mining Code is 15%, within the context of exploitation  (Section  4.2.1.2).  
3.149.   In accordance with three decrees dating from 2011, 19 State enterprises in the industrial 
sector have been identified for privatization.45 In application of these decrees and pursuant to 
Law No. L/2001/018/AN, the assets of the following four industrial units have been transferred to 
private operators:  
                                                
44 Law No.  L/2012/012/CNT of 6  August  2012 establishing the Organic Law on finance laws. 
45 Decrees No s. 077/PRG/SGG of 10  March  2011, D/2011/158/PRG/SGG of 23  May 2011 and 
D/2011/176/PRG/SGG of 6  June 2011.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  • The Sincéry de DABOLA oil mill, transferred back to a French company called Copéol.  
• The Sanoyah textile complex, divided into three lots, with two (the city and t he factory 
extension zone) transferred back to a Guinean holding company called HOLDIPI. The third 
lot was transferred back to the company HYDROMIN SA, which will assemble agricultural 
machinery and buses.  
• The Kankan fruit juice factory (UJFK), transferred  back to the Guinea Fruit Corporation.  
• The plastic products factory (SOGUIPLAST), transferred back to Société TAFAGUI.  
3.150.   In 2017, the privatization strategy for the 15 remaining industrial units was in process of 
finalization. It provides for a three -year as set transfer programme. In accordance with this strategy, 
the following 14 factories will be transferred back to the private sector:  
• the Coton Kankan ginning mill;  
• the ENTA factory – matches;  
• the ENTA factory – cigarettes;  
• the SOGUIREP retreading plant;  
• SIAG Kassa;  
• the Mamou agricultural equipment factory (USOA);  
• the KASSA oil mill;  
• the Kankan brickworks;  
• the Mamou cannery;  
• the Sérédou quinine plant;  
• the N'Zérékoré sawmill and plywood factory;  
• the Sérédou sawmill (Macenta);  
• the Sérédou panel factory (Macenta); and  
• the Chemicals Company (SOPROCHIM).  
3.3.6   Government procurement  
3.151.   Since Guinea's last TPR the regulatory framework for the administration of government 
procurement has undergone significant changes. In 2012, new legislation was adopted to regulate 
the government procurement system.46 Several texts relating to its implementation were also 
adopted during the review period.47 
3.152.   The Code applies to procurement by public -law corporations and certain private -law 
corporations acting for the account of public -law corporations or benefiting from their financial 
support with a view to the execution of works, the supply of goods, or the provision of services, 
including intellectual services. Contracts awarded under financing agreements or treaties are subject 
to the  provisions of the legislation in force in Guinea, insofar as they are not contrary to the 
provisions of those agreements and treaties.  
3.153.   The preparation of the documents for awarding government contracts is the responsibility 
of the contracting authorities benefiting from the purchase, in the event the "person responsible for 
government procurement" (PRMP), assisted by a Government Contract Award Commission, where 
appropriate. The PRMP is appointed by decision of the Minister responsible for finance and, amo ng 
other things, draws up the annual procurement plans, which must receive a notice of no objection. 
                                                
46 Law No.  L/2012/020/CNT of 3  December  2012 establishing the rules governing the award ing, 
monitoring and regulation of government contracts and public service concessions.  
47 Decrees Nos. D/2012/128/PRG/SGG of 3  December  2012 establishing the Government Procurement 
and Public Service Concessions Code; D/2014/165/PRG/SGG concerning the missions, functions, organization 
and operation of the National Government Procurement Directorate; D/2015/066/PRG/SGG concerning the 
organiz ation and operation of the Government Procurement Regulatory Authority; D/2014/168/PRG/SGG 
concerning general provisions governing the thresholds for the awarding, monitoring and regulation of 
government contracts; and D/2014/169/PRG/SGG on the creation, f unctions, organization and operation of the 
contracting authorities' government contract awarding and  monitoring bodies. Orders 
Nos. A/2016/6251/MEF/SGG raising the a priori - and post -monitoring thresholds  of the procedures for 
awarding government  contracts and public service  concessions ; and A/2015/066/MEF/S GG enforcing the use of  
the standard tender documents and model reports on the assessment of bids stemming from the reform of 
government procurement.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 53 - 
  Once this has been obtained, the entire procurement procedure is conducted by the National 
Government Procurement Directorate (DNMP), in collaboration with  the PRMP.  
3.154.   The Administration and Control of Major Projects and Public Procurement (ACGPMP) agency, 
under the direct authority of the President of the Republic, is responsible for approving annual 
procurement plans and overseeing the award and execution pr ocedures. Expenditure in excess of 
GNF 5  billion is subject to prior ACGPMP control and lesser amounts to post -monitoring.  
3.155.   The regulatory functions are assigned to the Government Procurement Regulatory Authority 
(ARMP), which, in principle, is an independe nt administrative body, endowed with legal personality 
and administrative and financial management autonomy. Thus, it concerns itself, among other 
things, with settling disputes relating to the procedures for awarding government contracts and 
public servic e concessions; carrying out  independent and regular audits of the procedures for the 
award and performance of government contracts; as well as advising the Government on framing 
government procurement policy and developing capacity -building strategies.  
3.156.   Under the Code, contracts may be awarded either by invitation to tender or direct 
negotiation. Open invitations to tender are supposed to be the rule. In practice, however, the 
authorities regularly resort to direct negotiation (subject to special authorizati on from the Minister 
responsible for finance) as the main government procurement method. In principle, recourse to 
direct negotiation should be exceptional, be justified in advance by the contracting authority, and 
have received the reasoned opinion of the  ACGPMP and special authorization from the Minister 
responsible for finance. The ACGPMP and the DNMP should ensure that, in each budget year, the 
cumulative amount of directly negotiated contracts awarded by each contracting authority does not 
exceed 10% o f the total value of government procurement. If a contracting authority were to request 
the Minister responsible for finance for authorization to negotiate a contract directly and the 10% 
threshold were to be crossed, other than in the event of the authori zation being refused, the ARMP 
would have to be brought in to validate the procedure. Recourse to direct negotiation is subject to 
limitations relating, among other things, to the expertise of the provider, intellectual property rights 
issues, and military  secrecy. During the review period, government procurement (in value terms) 
was dominated by the direct negotiation method, with a peak of more than 92% of government 
procurement in 2016. However, in terms of numbers, the tender procedure still came first 
(Table  3.10).  
3.157.   The contracting authority may, as a matter of exception, use one of the alternative tender 
procedures, under the conditions specified in the legislation. Thus, the invitation to tender may be 
open, restricted, involve a competition, take plac e in two stages or be preceded by a pre -qualification 
stage.  
3.158.   The notice of call for tender must necessarily be published in the Government Procurement 
Journal and in at least three national and/or international publications, as well as on websites. The 
contracting authority must inform every rejected bidder, in writing, of the reasons for the rejection 
of his bid.  
Table 3.10 Government procurement statistics, 2011 -2016  
(GNF)  
Year Tender  Direct 
negotiation  Restricted 
consultation  Total  
2011 Number of contracts  189 64 52 305 
 Amount (GNF  billion)  1,361  3,592  4,375  9,328  
2012 Number of contracts  422 53 64 539 
 Amount (GNF  billion)  7,027  2,457  268 9,753  
2013 Number of contracts  550 29 69 649 
 Amount (GNF billion)  5,509  1,603  2,000  9,114  
2014 Number of contracts  498 49 42 589 
 Amount (GNF  billion)  5,890  6,302  160 12,353  
2015 Number of contracts  322 58 74 454 
 Amount (GNF  billion)  3,959  156 1,080  6,609  
2016 Number of contracts  133 39 15 187 
 Amount (GNF  billion)  1,455  19,844  83 21,384  
Source:  Guinean authorities.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  3.159.   In principle, a national preference (not exceeding 7% of the amount of the bid for works or 
10% for supplies and services) may be granted to domestic enterprises fulfilling the criteria defined 
by the legislation. The margin must be quantified in the tender documents in the form of a 
percentage of the amount of the bid. The authorities have pointed out that, in actual fact, the 
national preference system was not applied during th e review period.  
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
3.160.   Guinea is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the 
African  Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) created by the Bangui Agreement (1977), which 
was revised in 1999. It is also party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, 
to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, to the Patent Cooperation 
Treaty, and to the Convention on Biological Diversity of 5  January  1992 and its Pr otocol of 
29 October  2010.  
3.161.   The Guinean services responsible for relations with WIPO and the OAPI are: the 
National  Industrial Property Service (SPI), the national liaison body (with the OAPI), within the 
Ministry responsible for industry; and the Guinean C opyright Office (BGDA) in the Ministry 
responsible for culture.  
3.162.   Guinea has not yet notified the WTO of its legislation on intellectual property rights. It has 
not ratified the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement. Nor has it designated a contact point  under 
Article 69 of the TRIPS Agreement.  
3.163.   The annual statistics on applications for the registration of industrial property rights indicate 
the predominance of applications for registering trademarks. A geographical indication registered in 
2014 relates to "Zi ama coffee" (Section 4.1.3.2) (Table 3.1 1). 
Table 3.11 Statistics on industrial property rights, 2011 -2017  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  
Patents  1 2 2 0 2 1 2 
Trademarks  52 92 94 122 125 145 160 
Industrial designs  8 10 25 60 71 36 39 
Trade names  5 8 1 2 4 6 4 
Geographical indications  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
Source:  National Industrial Property Service.  
3.164.   Law No.  043/APN/CP of 9  August  1980 continues to govern copyright in Guinea.48 In 
general, where literary and artistic property is concerned, the texts applicable in Guinea are:  
• Law No.  043 of 9  August  1980 on the protection of literary and artistic works of the 
Republic of Guinea;  
• Decree No.  92/002/PRG/SGG 91 on the establishment a nd mode of operation of the BGDA;  and 
• Order No.  14956/MEF/85 of 20  December  1985 instituting regulations on the tariffication 
of copyright fees derived from the use of literary, scientific and artistic works.  
3.165.   The most common infringements of intellectual p roperty rights (IPRs) recorded in Guinea 
are counterfeiting, fraudulent imitation and forgery. They relate to trademarks, copyright and related 
rights and, in particular, affect books; textiles; cosmetic and food products; spare parts; medicines; 
video and  audio cassettes; mobile phones; pesticides and insecticides. Most of these articles are 
imported. The weakness of the sanctions, the precariousness and porosity of the borders and the 
low prices of the counterfeit products appear to be the main reasons fo r the recurrence of IPR 
infringements.  
3.166.   The sanctions against infringements of IPRs are those stipulated in the Bangui Agreement. 
Their application remains very limited, indeed non -existent, including at the borders. In clear cases 
of seizure, counterfeitin g is sanctioned by the anti -fraud services and the courts. Seizures are also 
made by the Customs, which has incorporated intellectual property in its recently revised Code.  
                                                
48 UNESCO (2009).  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 55 - 
  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, forestry and fish ing 
4.1.1   Overview  
4.1.  Guinea has many assets which make it an ideal place to invest in agriculture, but which are 
still not exploited to their full potential . In addition to its long Atlantic coastline and its relative 
proximity to markets in industrialized countries, the country has a climate ranging from tropical to 
subtropical and including savannah, with a varied relief . Having an estimated water potential of 
27,000 m3 per inhabitant per year, and average annual rainfall of over 1,300 mm, Guinea is classed 
as one of  the most water -rich countries in the world . It has 7.5  million  hectares of arable land for a 
population numbering around 13  million. O nly 15 % of this area is cultivated each year.  
4.2.  In 2015, food insecurity affected some 1.9  million  people (17.6 % of the population), including 
59,000 who suffered from severe food insecurity .1 Since then, however, food shortages seem to 
have become less frequent.2 Indeed, the agriculture sector, whose share in the Guinean economy 
had substantially diminished, has re turned to growth under the impetus of the incentive measures 
put in place by the Government and described below. Nevertheless, this share is still low 
(Section  1.3) and has not yet recovered to the level of the early 1960s, when Guinea was one of the 
world 's leading exporters of bananas and pineapples, and agriculture not only met all the country's 
food needs but also generated 60% of its export earnings, notably through the export of coffee and 
fruit. 
4.3.  Rice is the main food crop (Table 4.1), but a quarter o f domestic rice consumption depends on 
imports . Fruit (bananas, pineapples and mangoes) as well as maize, groundnuts, cashew nuts and 
oil palms are grown in Basse Guinée  (Lower Guinea) ; Haute Guinée  (Upper Guinea) grows cotton, 
rice, maize, groundnuts, she a and cashew nuts, and produces natural rubber and flower oils . Oil 
palms, tea, quinine, rice and fish farming are also found in Guineé forestière  (Forested Guinea) . 
Moyenne Guinée  (Middle Guinea) produces potatoes, fonio and citrus fruit . Guinea also poss esses 
substantial ligneous forestry resources, which are at risk from uncontrolled exploitation . Exports of 
ligneous forestry products amounted to 9,000 tonnes of wood in the rough in 2016.  
4.4.  Agricultural exports, which are centred on a few products, have al so reacted well to the 
reforms : they appear to have risen significantly during the period, to over US$160  million  in 2016 
(Chart 4.1) . The main reform consisted in a Support Programme for export crops, such as coffee, 
cashew nuts and cocoa, which generate income for farmers over and above their food production . 
New improved varieties have been made available to producers, as well as inputs and tools for 
mechanization.  
4.5.  Imports of agri -food products are still on the increase (Chart 4.2) . A fall in imports of flour and 
the corresponding rise in imports of wheat probably reflect the establishment in 2014, alongside the 
Grands Moulins de Guinée  (GMG) milling company, of Moulins d'Afrique , a new joint venture between 
Guinean and Moroccan private enterprises, for t he processing of imported wheat  to produce fortified 
flour and animal feed.  
                                                
1 In Guinea, the World Foo d Programme provides school meals to 277,800 children in 1,600 primary 
schools thanks to a voluntary contribution from Japan, USAID and the Government of Guinea . Viewed at: 
http://fr.wfp.org/histoires/guinee -les-agricultrices -produisent -plus. See also: World Food Programme, 
Évaluation de la sécurité alimentaire en situation d'urgence - Guinée Conakry , July 2015. Viewed at: 
https://www.wfp.org/content/guinee -conakry -evaluation -securite -alimentaire -situation -urgence -july-2015. 
2 Online information viewed at:  https://reliefweb.int/report/guinea/guin -e-perspectives -sur-la-s-curit-
alimentaire -f-vrier-2017-septembre -2017 WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 56 - 
 
  Table 4.1 Food crops, 2012 -2017  
(Thousands of tonnes, unless otherwise indicated)  
Crop  Variables  2012/2013  2013/2014  2014/2015  2015/2016  2016/2017  
Rice Area 1,650  1,671  1,691  1,706  1,739  
 Yielda 1.12 1.15 1.17 1.20 1.25 
 Outputb  1,852  1,913  1,971  2,047  2,174  
Maize  Area 513 538 567 581 589 
 Yielda 1.25 1.25 1.23 1.25 1.30 
 Outputb  641 672 698 727 765 
Fonio  Area 558 586 602 602 606 
 Yielda 0.77 0.77 0.79 0.79 0.80 
 Outputb  429 451 473 476 478 
Groundnut s Area 477 484 535 612 670 
 Yielda 0.75 0.75 0.79 0.80 0.90 
 Output  358 363 422 490 569 
Cassava  Area 148 155 180 190 202 
 Yielda 7.85 7.85 7.91 7.91 7.95 
 Output  1,164  1,219  1,427  1,507  1,607  
a Tonne/hectare.  
b Paddy.  
Source:  National Agency for Agricultural and Food Statistics of Guinea.  
Chart 4.1 Main agricultural exports, 2009 -2016  
(US$ million )
Note:  Agricultural products group based on the WTO definition.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data obtained from Comtrade, mirror statistics, 
United  Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).  
020406080100120140160
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Coffee (HS 0901)
Cashew nuts (HS 0801)
Coffee beans, whole or broken (HS 1801)
Total agricultureWT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 57 - 
  Chart 4.2 Main agricultural  imports, 2012 -2016  
(Thousands of tonnes)  
Source:   Information provided by the authorities.  
4.1.2   Agricultural policy  
4.6.  As at end September 2 016, the WTO Committee on Agriculture had not received any 
notification from Guinea since 1995 . According to the authorities, the new agricultural policy is 
founded on the observation that Guinean farmers are engaged essentially in subsistence farming 
since they lack improved seeds, fertilizer and the necessary equipment and materials for modern 
and hence more intens ive farming.  
4.7.  Since 2012, therefore, as part of its National Policy for Agriculture Development: Vision for 
2015, the Government has committed to implementing the West Africa Agricultural Productivity 
Programme (WAAPP) launched by ECOWAS. In June 2017, the World Bank granted Guinea additional 
funding of US$23 million to facilitate this implementation. The aim of the WAAPP is to sustainably 
improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security for the population.3 The WAAPP has 
served, inter alia , to pro vide improved seeds. It envisages a significant increase in budgetary 
appropriations for agriculture. These ranged from 1.7% of the State budget (in 2005 and 2009) to 
a maximum of 5% (in 2007). Under the Finance Law of 2017, the proportion of State spendin g 
allocated to agriculture is scheduled to fall from 3.5% of the total in 2016 to 2.8% in  2017.  
4.8.  A National Agricultural Investment Plan (PNIA) for 2010 -2015 was instituted to accompany the 
ECOWAS agricultural policy and the African Union's Comprehensive Af rica Agriculture Development 
Programme (CAADP/NEPAD). The PNIA was then reshaped in order to incorporate the goal of food 
security, thus becoming the National Agricultural Investment and Food Security Programme 
(PNIASA), for the period 2013 -2017, and subse quently 2018 -2025. Promoting export crops remains 
one of the objectives under the PNIASA, based on several measures, primarily:  
• strengthening the incentive framework and price incentives for producers;  
• technical assistance (promoting irrigation, supporting  the acquisition and distribution of 
agricultural inputs and equipment);  
• professionalization and organization of producers ; and 
                                                
3 Online information from Mediaguinee . Viewed at: http://mediaguinee.org/2017/06/03/ministere -de-
lagriculture%20lancement -officiel -du-financement -additionnel -ppaaowaapp . 
0100200300400500600700
Rice Flour Onions Sugar Palm oil2012 2013 2014 2015 2016WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 58 - 
 
  • capacity building in access to agricultural markets, through the construction or 
strengthening of transport, packaging and storage infrastructure and facilities ; support for 
quality and productivity ; and the organization and pre -financing of agricultural exports.  
4.9.  The National Directorate of Agriculture (DNA) in the Ministry of Agriculture (MA) is responsible 
for supervising th e sector, but would like assistance to equip itself with a new website on which to 
post laws and other legislative and regulatory texts. The main agricultural research and outreach 
institutions include the National Rural Promotion and Agricultural Advisory  Agency (ANPROCA) and 
the Central Institute for Agricultural Research (IRAG) .4 The National Agency for Agricultural and 
Food Statistics tracks statistical data. The National Directorate of Water Resources of the National 
Soils Service (SENASOL) handles lan d zoning and soil analysis.  
4.10.   Guinea's National Chamber of Agriculture is the leading professional association for farmers, 
livestock breeders, fishermen and foresters. It provides support for both individual and collective 
initiatives in rural areas. To fac ilitate farmers' access to inputs (seed, fertilizer, herbicides, 
insecticides, equipment and machinery), in 2011 the Chamber of Agriculture, in partnership with the 
DNA, was assigned the task of selling inputs to farmers at a subsidized price. The amount o f the 
subsidy is GNF 250 billion per year (around US$28 million). To finance this activity carried out  by 
the Chamber, the customs authority levies supplementary taxes (CA) of 0.25 % of the c.i.f.  value of 
all imported goods and 0.25 % of the f.o.b. value of  agricultural exports (Sections  3.1.4 and 3.2.2) .5 
These levies are unlikely to encourage recourse to formal export channels . Moreover, the Chamber 
has stated in the context of this report that it has no longer been receiving these funds since 2010 . 
4.11.   Taxes on imports of agri -food products at the border increased following adoption of the 
ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) . The average entry duty for agricultural products 
(ISIC  definition) stands at 15.5 % (Section 3.1), as against 14.3 % in 2011 . The Ministry  of 
Agriculture monitors import volumes and values of the principal foodstuffs, and their prices, through 
the Customs ' ASYCUDA system (Section  3.1). These checks include the major importers ' stock 
levels, and the prices charged by retailers.  
4.12.   In theory, VAT  applies to both domestic and imported products, in accordance with the 
principle of national treatment . Yet it is difficult, if not impossible, to levy VAT on local agricultural 
products because local production is fragmented and is virtually all in the i nformal sector . In practice, 
therefore, VAT constitutes a form of protection for production in the informal sector against 
competition from imported goods and those in the formal sector . Staple food products are exempt 
from VAT, as well as products subject  to zero customs duty, such as seeds.  
4.13.   In 2008, a law was promulgated granting legal status to farmers' organizations (OPs). The 
National Confederation of Farmers' Organizations of Guinea (CNOP -G) is responsible for purchases 
and the distribution of inputs,  under the Emergency Agricultural Productivity Support Programme, 
which has since 2009 enabled the distribution of ploughs, tractors, motor pumps, etc., under the 
supervision of the OPs. These centralizing measures have served to give farmers greater  
indep endence and hence increase agricultural output.  
4.14.   Agricultural income is subject to a 15 % tax on agricultural profits (IBA) . The IBA is not applied 
to new farms for a period of five years provided that a minimum investment of GNF  10 million  
(around €1,000) has been made . Agricultural producers may choose between this tax on actual 
profit and a flat -rate payment . Under the new Investment Code of 2016 (Section  2.3), investors are 
subject to the IBA after the fifth year, and to the ordinary reg ime for other taxes (payroll tax, 
business tax, etc.).  
4.15.   One of the current objectives is connecting production areas . In this regard, the opening of a 
new road between Guinea and Guinea -Bissau could help to boost agricultural trade.  
4.16.   Inputs are imported by t he private sector, by the State and under cooperative arrangements . 
There is still no legislation on the import, distribution and control of fertilizer . Regulations were being 
drafted in 2017 to lay down the terms for the approval of importers and distribu tors of fertilizer, 
                                                
4 Online information viewed at: https://www.ird.fr/les -partenariats/principaux -partenaires -
scientifiques/afrique -de-l-ouest -et-centrale/mali/irag . 
5 Joint Order No. 4557/MAF/MAE/MPA/SGG of 1 7 October 2 000 on the establishment of supplementary 
taxes to fund the National Chamber of Agriculture of Guinea.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 59 - 
  together with standards for its storage, packaging, transport, distribution and control . Fertilizer is 
currently imported both by the private sector and by the State through the DNA . Under cooperation 
arrangements, the Moroccan Phosphat es Board (OCP) supplied the DNA with 100,000 tonnes of 
fertilizer in 2016/2017, i.e. around three years' consumption, 20% of which in grant form. A Malian 
private plant TOGUNA has also been set up for the production of  fertilizer . The Government 
subsidizes  the purchase price to the tune of 50 % of its cost for users, at prices set by joint order by 
the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade.  
4.17.   Under the new ECOWAS CET, most of the inputs and equipment used for animal, plant and 
fishery production (f ertilizer, phytosanitary products, seed, plant and genetic materials, wrapping 
and packaging material, and fishing gear) continue to enjoy exemption from all import duties and 
taxes, including VAT . This is not the case for all agricultural tools, such as a xes, forks, spades, 
clippers, tyres for agricultural machinery, watering equipment and sprayers.6 
4.18.   The Guinean Rural Credit Bank (CRG) became a microfinance corporation, with share capital 
of GNF 8 billion (around US$900,000), and continues to grant agricul tural loans of between 
GNF 100,000 and GNF 10 million (around US$1,100). The CRG's capital comes from the State, the 
French Development Agency (AFD), the Institute for Research and Application of Development 
Methods (IRAM) and the International Development  and Investment Company. Its network has 
grown since 2011 from 85 to 126 local branches, spread over nine regions.  
4.19.   According to the authorities, Guinea does not subsidize its agricultural exports . On the 
contrary, an increasing number of levies, including the 0.25 % CA mentioned above or the new levy 
of US$13 per tonne on cashew, coffee and cocoa exports, is liable to reduce their competitiveness 
on export markets.  
4.20.   Land planning and security of land tenure are a prerequisite for increasing rural income, sinc e 
the absence of landownership titles that can be used as collateral for loans discourages investments 
in agricultural production . Indeed, it is still not possible to buy land in Guinea ; over two  thirds of the 
land belongs to the State and is inalienable ( Section 2.4), and customary law continues to prevail 
over substantive law . Agricultural land is managed by village communities, tribal groups and other 
traditional landowners.  
4.21.   There is nothing in the Land and State Property Code of 1992 on the applicable r ural land 
planning rules for improving agricultural, forestry and livestock production, in particular as regards 
protection and use of protected areas, listed forests and agricultural, pastoral farming and soil 
restoration areas. To fill this void, a Rural  Land Policy Document (DPFMR) had been drawn up in 
April 2001. There being no implementing texts for each sector, the Government undertook a study 
on rural land tenure, organized a land tenure consultation in 2012, and formulated a land tenure 
policy as an  integral part of the Agriculture Policy Law that was bein g finalized at the beginning 
of 2018.  
4.22.   Until such time as it has the mechanisms stemming from these reforms at its disposal, the  
Government is granting domestic or foreign private investors wishing t o operate in the agricultural 
sector leases or land titles according to the magnitude of the investment and for a specified period, 
delimiting the zones and land areas concerned.  
4.1.3   Trade policy by principal category of agricultural products  
4.1.3.1   Rice 
4.23.   Guinea is one of West Africa 's major rice -growing regions, with an annual production of around 
2 million tonnes . The Government 's target, reiterated in July 2 017, is self -sufficiency in rice by 
2018.7 To this end, farmers are provided with fertilizer at half price a s well as herbicides.  
4.24.   There are some irrigated rice projects, but rice cultivation is mostly rainfed . Farmers sell the 
portion of their production which they do not consume themselves on local markets or to 
                                                
6 See, inter alia , HS Code 4011.61.0000, 8208.40.0000 and 8424.81.2000 of the E COWAS CET.  
7 Online information viewed at: http://www.visionguinee.info/2017/07/10/alpha -conde -nous-ne-
voulons -plus-importer -du-riz. WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  neighbouring countries . The country apparently exports some 150,000 tonnes of rice each year to 
neighbouring countries such as Guinea -Bissau or The Gambia . It would seem that high -quality rice 
is exported, while imports are of low -priced broken rice . Imports are following an upward trend 
(Chart  4.3). 
Chart 4.3 Rice imports, 2012 -2016  
(Millions of tonnes )
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.25.   There are eight main importers operating in the rice market in Guinea at present, and the 
market appears t o be competitive . Import duty currently runs at 20 % on rice in bags weighing 5  kg 
or less and 10 % on bags weighing over 5 kg and on broken rice . Since 2012, the sale price of rice 
is no longer set or subsidized by the Directorate of Internal Trade within t he Ministry of Trade.  
4.26.   Böra Maalé Fanyi mangrove rice is a collective trademark branded by the 
Böra Maalé  OP network, whose producers have been accompanied for several years by the 
GRET  organization under several projects in support of the rice sector .8 This rice is produced and 
processed according to strict specifications that yield a level of quality highly appreciated by 
consumers.  
4.1.3.2   Coffee, cocoa, cashew  
4.27.   Exports of coffee, which is one of Guinea 's oldest export subsectors, made a strong recovery 
during the  period 2011 -2016. Plantations are concentrated in the Guinée forestière  region . Hulling 
and exports are handled by private companies . Guinean coffee is mainly exported in uncalibrated 
form ( "unsorted "), which fetches around 20 % below the world price.  
4.28.   Under new regulations applied to coffee as well as to cocoa and cashew9, the market 
comprises collectors, who buy the product from producers in a given district or subprefecture to sel l 
on to the buyer with which they are affiliated, and transporters . Floor prices for the crop 
year 2016-2017 are set as follows : coffee - GNF 9,000/kg (around US$1) ; cocoa - GNF 18,000/kg ; 
and cashew - GNF 5,000/ kg. The transporter 's card issued to approved coffee, cocoa and cashew 
transporters is valid for one marketing seaso n, reserved for Guinean citizens, and non -transferable.  
                                                
8 Online informat ion viewed at: http://www.gret.org/les -pays/afrique -ocean -indien/guinee -2. 
9 Order No. A /6418/MC/SGG/16 laying down the conditions for organizing the 2016 -2017 marketing 
season for  Guinean agricultural products.  
269.4495.9648.7
516.1554.9
0100200300400500600700
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 61 - 
  4.29.   The buyer purchases and stores the product in a prefecture for delivery to an exporter . To 
obtain their respective trader 's cards, which are valid for a given area and reserved for 
Guinean  citizens, c ollectors and buyers have to submit an application comprising : registration in the 
Trade and Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM); registration with the federation of buyers and 
collectors for the respective product; certificate of accreditation issued  by an exporter which is a 
member of the exporters' federation for the respective product.  
4.30.   Any operator that wishes to export coffee, cocoa or cashew must submit a file containing: 
handwritten application; copy of the trader's card ( Section 3.1); copy of t he registration in 
the RCCM; the tax registration number (NIF) ( Section 3.1.1); the certificate of registration with the 
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Guinea; a written undertaking to repatriate, through 
the Guinean banking system, foreign ex change earnings derived from sale of the exported product; 
registration number with the Federation of Coffee, Cocoa and Cashew Exporters. Since  2017, the 
coffee, cocoa and cashew exporter's card has been issued by the Guinean Export Promotion Agency 
(AGUIP EX) (Section 3.2); a total of 44 cards were issued or renewed in 2017.  
4.31.   Any batch of coffee, cocoa and cashew for export has to be accompanied by the following 
documents at Customs: current valid exporter's card; customs declaration; descriptive export 
declaration; trade invoice showing the value of the product to be exported; quality certificate issued 
by the ONCQ (Section 3.3.2) or another approved company; certificate of origin and phytosanitary 
and fumigation certificate, both issued by AGUIPEX; proof of  payment of the fee to the Coffee, 
Cocoa, Cashew Promotion Fund (US$13 per tonne) issued by AGUIPEX, which is financed by that 
fund; and the undertaking to repatriate foreign currency revenues. Coffee is exported mainly to 
Morocco and to the European Union . New markets since 2011 include Algeria, Egypt, Senegal and 
The Gambia.  
4.32.   Coffee producers in Mont Ziama cultivate an area of 2,000 hectares. In 2014, Mont Ziama 
coffee obtained a geographical indication under the OAPI's programme to support the introductio n 
of geographical indications (PAMPIG).10 It also obtained several fair trade certifications in 2016  
and 2017.  
4.1.3.3   Other crops  
4.33.   The other main crops are cassava, maize, fonio and groundnut . All have seen increases in 
planted area and output, and some growth in y ield (Table  4.1). State support for production of these 
crops is minimal, apart from the supply of inputs (as mentioned above), and trade in these products 
appears to be free, for both imports and exports . On the other hand, the potato subsector 
(52,729  tonnes produced in 2016 -2017, up from 45,000 tonnes in 2009 -2010) has been identified 
as needing to be promoted in order to boost growth in regional exports . A project has been 
implemented since 1992 by the Fouta Djallon Farmers' Federation (FPFD), with the collaboration of 
France, the European Union and the Common Fund for Commodities, to  promote and organize the 
potato subsector specifically for export to regional markets .11 A "Belle de Guinée " trademark and its 
logo have been registered with the OAPI (Secti on 3.3) . Exports of potatoes or seed potatoes go to 
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea -Bissau, The Gambia and Senegal . Potato imports are reportedly still 
subject to seasonal bans.  
4.34.   Guinea does not produce wheat, but consumes large quantities of flour, some of w hich is 
produced locally and some imported subject to customs duty of 44.71 % according to the authorities 
(compared to 32.75 % for wheat) . Only fortified flour can be imported into Guinea .12 There appear 
to be reference prices for imports (US$320 per tonne o f fortified flour) .13 These measures are 
designed to protect local mills.  
4.35.   A "Project to develop the cotton subsector in Guinea " was adopted in May 2 011. It creates a 
private company whose shares will be held mostly by the State and by the Géocoton company . The 
Géocoton Holding company, set up in December 2 007 (51 % owned by the group Advens and 49 %by 
CMA-CGM), has reportedly announced an appropriation of €5  million  to revive the subsector . 
                                                
10 Online information from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ( CTA), viewed at: 
http://www.cta.int/en/Media/Files/Guinee -cafe-Ziama_Haba3 . 
11 Online information  viewed at: http://paysansfouta.org/? -Nos-produits -. 
12 Joint Order No. A /2006/4600 of 6 September  on fortification of flour.  
13 Online information viewed at: http://w ww.sabarifm.com/node/170 . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  Géocoton SA would be responsible for management and technical support . This project has led to 
the establishment of a cotton ginning plant, located in the prefecture of Kankan in Haute  Guinée . 
Production rose from 45,000 to 120,000 tonnes of cotton lint between 2011 -2012 and 2016 -2017, 
with annual exports of 10,000 tonnes of  cotton lint, chiefly to Senegal . The Géocoton plant supplies 
inputs on credit to 17,000 cotton farmers, who are supervised by staff from the plant.  
4.36.   In 1987, the Government set up the Guinean Oil Palm and Rubber Tree Company 
(SOGUIPAH), which cultivates 22 ,000 hectares of plantations, including 5,500 hectares of rubber 
plantations. It markets and exports the palm oil and rubber it produces and also sets the price to 
producers. SOGUIPAH has an oil factory, a soap works and a plant to process coagulum. It is one of 
the largest firms in Guinea, with over 3,500  employees . The oil produced is exempt from VAT and, 
in principle, from customs duties for regional trade (Section 3.1.2).  
4.37.   By virtue of its favourable climatic and geographical features, Guinea has remarka ble potential 
for developing horticulture, if storage and transport infrastructure is built and effective marketing 
support provided . At the moment, fruit and vegetables are mostly produced on a small  scale on 
family farms . Guinea has potential for manufacturing natural fruit juice . High customs duties (20 %), 
on top of a 30 % surcharge, result in strong protection of local production vis-à-vis imports.  
4.38.   A quinine plant was set up in 1954 in the Macenta prefecture, covering an area of 250  hectares 
of cinchona plantations . In the past, it employed as many as 3,000 agricultural labourers . The 
cinchona was used to manufacture quinine and a medicine against malaria . The quinine plant having 
been abandoned by its owners, a presidential decree of 2 4 May 2 011 r uled that it be taken over by 
the State.  
4.1.3.4   Livestock and animal products  
4.39.   The Ministry of Livestock is in charge of government policy and regulation in this sector. It 
has in particular the task of implementing the Livestock and Animal Products Code, which ha s been 
notified to the WTO14, and the six related decrees. Since 2004, following the implementation of the 
African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Guinea has 
seen a strong increase in livestock numbers (Chart 4.4). Th is policy has consisted in subsidized 
provision of treatments (vaccination, spraying of animals) and other forms of support for breeders 
of all types of animals.  
Chart 4.4 Livestock  
(Millions of heads ; for poultry, tens of  million s) 
 
Note:  Estimates for 2016 . 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities ; and FAOSTAT . 
                                                
14 Law No. L/95/046/CTRN containing  the Livestock and Animal Products Code . Viewed at: 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/GIN/14_5249_00_f.pdf . 
0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.0
Bovine Caprine Ovine Poultry2009 2012 2014 2016WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 63 - 
  4.40.   The National Directorate of Veterinary Services (DNSV) is the entity  responsible for regulating 
trade in li vestock products, the sale of veterinary products and veterinary activities, as well as 
cross border transhumance . Veterinary laws and regulations are listed in a DNSV booklet . 
Five veterinary wholesalers were approved in 2017 for the import and sale of ve terinary products 
and stockbreeding inputs ; it is mandatory that they be incorporated under Guinean law or partnered 
with a Guinean veterinary consultant.  
4.41.   The current infrastructure includes, inter alia , the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory 
(a public body, in Conakry), which takes samples and analyses products at the request of companies . 
Each prefecture has a public abattoir or a public slaughter area ; none of them meets international 
standards . The last OIE performance of veterinary services ( PVS) gap analysis mission dates back 
to 2011 . A veterinary legislation support project was implemented during the period 
April-December  2017. 
4.42.   The strong growth in meat imports continued (Chart  4.5), especially of cut poultry . These 
imports stand at around US$20  million  and bear the ECOWAS CET at generally 35 %, a sharp increase 
over the 20 % customs duty in 2011 . Adding in VAT, which is not levied on local markets, total duties 
on meat come to nearly 60 %, thus heavily penalizing consumers who are dependent on  imports.  
4.43.   There would appear to be substantial informal exports of cattle for slaughter to neighbouring 
countries (Guinea -Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in particular) . According to the DNSV, this might 
be explained by the many hidden border levies.  
4.44.   Imports of milk in powder (HS 0402) appear to be systematically underestimated . Indeed, 
scrutiny of "mirror " statistics shows that Guinea 's partners export milk products of an annual value 
of between US$25 and US$41 million  (US$25  million  in 2016) to Guinea, whereas Guinean statistics 
indicate imports of between US$3 and US$9 million  depending on the year.  
Chart 4.5 Imports of meats and poultry offal, 2009 -2016  
(US$ million ) 
 
Note:  Based on Chapter 2 (HS).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the authorities . 
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses,
asses, mules or hinnies, chilled or frozen (HS 0206)Meat and offal of poultry, fresh, chilled or frozen (HS 0207)
OtherWT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.1.3.5   Fisheries  
4.1.3.5.1   Overview  
4.45.   Guinea has a 300 km long shoreline and a continental shelf of some 43,000 km2, up to 
100 miles wide, which benefits from the upwelling of nutrient -rich cold waters . The exploitable 
fishing potential is estimated at between 150,000 and 250,000 tonnes of fish per year .15 It is 
composed of four main species groups : pelagic fish, demersal fish, cephalopods, and shrimps and 
prawns . A large network of watercourses, e stimated to extend for 6,500 km, also holds unexploited 
potential for fish farming on an industrial scale.  
4.46.   Despite these natural assets, the sector 's contribution to the national economy has 
significantly diminished since the last TPR in 2011, in particula r due to overfishing of several fish 
stocks, an increasingly weak, under -resourced and ill -adapted governance system, and the lack of 
investment in sustainable aquaculture . The extent of the overfishing has led to severe depletion of 
fisheries resources an d, consequently, loss of interest in Guinean waters on the part of 
trading  partners.  
4.47.   A Policy Letter on the development of fisheries and aquaculture published in 2009 having 
proved largely ineffectual, in 2013 the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquaculture and the  Maritime  Economy 
(MPAEM) organized the Consultation  on Fisheries and Aquaculture, which led to the drafting of a 
Policy Framework Document on Fisheries and Aquaculture (DOCPA) for the five  years up to 2018 . 
Fisheries and aquaculture are considered as a gr owth sector, and one of the key pillars of the national 
economy in combating poverty . The DOCPA also attaches priority to small -scale fishing.  
4.48.   A key factor, at the international level, in the elaboration of the DOCPA was Guinea 's inclusion 
in 2013 in the E uropean Union 's list of non -cooperating third countries in fighting illegal, unreported 
and unregulated (IUU) fishing .16 This acted as a trigger for reforms towards more sustainable use of 
resources and action to combat IUU fishing . Guinea was delisted and declared to be in conformity in 
July 2 016.17 
4.49.   Efforts were made, inter alia , to assess the status of stocks, which served as a basis for the 
annual plans for the development and management of fisheries . From 2014 to October 2 017, 
seven  assessments were conducted, including under the West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme 
(WARFP) . Thanks to these various campaigns, it was possible to calculate the biomass and determine 
the exploitable potential in a scientific manner.  
4.50.   The decision in December 2 016 to gr ant new licences to boats flying the Chinese flag angered 
local producers .18 In April 2 017, within the framework of its "Hope in West Africa " ship tour conducted 
in West African waters against IUU fishing, the NGO Greenpeace International produced a damning  
report on fisheries activities in the seas off Conakry following its deep -sea expeditions . Most of the 
vessels boarded for illegal fishing were Chinese -owned, reflecting the fact that, according to the 
authorities, in 2017 the industrial fishing fleet was  composed mainly of Chinese vessels.19 
4.51.   The MPAEM did nevertheless strive to enforce the regulations . Surveillance was strengthened, 
with round -the-clock satellite observation, and periodic deployment of air surveillance . Fines were 
increased . All these meas ures appear to have helped reduce IUU fishing to some extent . 
Nonetheless, all available reports confirm that in 2017 a large proportion of the vessels present in 
Guinea 's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) were fishing illegally, most of them in the area offic ially set 
                                                
15 Boussoura National Centre for Fisheries Sciences (CNSHB), 2015.  
16 Council Regulation No. 1005/2008 of 2 9 September 2 008 establishing a Community system to 
prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing . Viewed at: http://eur -
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:286:0001:0032:fr:PDF . 
17 Online info rmation viewed at:  https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/sites/fisheries/files/illegal -fishing -
overview -of-existing -procedu res-third-countries_en.pdf . 
18 Online information viewed at: http://www.financialafrik.com/2017/08/23/guin ee-alpha -conde -limoge -
son-ministre -des-peches -et-de-leconomie -maritime/#.Wd4Jyo9L_TA . 
19 Online information viewed at: http://www.greenpeace.org/africa/fr/Actualities/Blogs -de-Greenpeace -
Afrique/des -poissons -qui-tombent -du-ciel-des-filets-v/blog/59228 . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 65 - 
  aside for small -scale fishing, from which they are banned, and this is liable to lead to the demise of 
small -scale fishing boats and overfishing of small -scale fishing areas.  
4.52.   Among the enterprises in the sector, the only public company, SOGUIPECH E, was privatized 
and its physical assets (in an advanced state of disrepair) were transferred to a Mauritanian -owned 
company . A new company, the Complexe industriel de pêche de Conakry , was set up . Four freezing 
tunnels were renovated, and an ice factory is in operation with a capacity of 30  tonnes/day . This 
upgrade in turn improves mooring, fuelling and storage conditions for industrial fishing.  
4.1.3.5.2   Regulation  
4.53.   Guinea modernized its legislative framework for fisheries in 2015 . Fisheries activities are 
governed  by the following new texts, available on the MPAEM 's official website20, which take into 
account the fundamental principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries21 and the 
principal relevant conventions on sustainable management of resources:  
• Decree No. D/2013/127/PRG/SGG of 25 July 2013 on the creation, organization, mission 
and functioning of the National Office for the Sanitary Control of Fishery and Aquaculture 
Products (ONSPA) (Section 3.3.3);  
• Law No. 2015/026/AN of 1 4 September 2 015 containing the Marine Fisheries Code;  
• Law No. 2015/027/AN of 1 4 September 2 015 containing  the Inland Fisheries Code ; and 
• Law No. 2015/028/AN of 1 4 September 2 015 containing  the Aquaculture Code.  
4.54.   In Guinea, marine fishing can be small -scale or industrial . There are around 
30,000  small-scale fishermen, some of them foreign, distributed across 234 landing places along 
the coastline, and 7,500 canoes . Catches fluctuate between 200,000 and 250,000 tonnes/year . 
Small-scale fishing thus provides numerous jobs and contributes to food security.  
4.55.   An annual Plan for the development and management of fisheries is drawn up by the National 
Centre for Fisheries Surveillance and Protection (CNSP), in cooperation with the Boussoura National 
Centre for Fisheries Sciences (CNSH B), and the National Directorate of Marine Fisheries (DNPM) 
within the MPAEM. The Plan covers both small -scale and industrial fisheries. In principle, any fishing 
authorization is subject to having a CNSP observer placed on board the ship. The Plan specifi es the 
status of the resource, annual catch quotas, and fee schedules. The 2016  Fisheries Plan revealed 
that some species have become more abundant as a result of the stricter biological recovery and 
surveillance measures taken in 2014 and 2015.22 
4.56.   The band from 0 to 12,000 nautical miles is reserved exclusively for small -scale fisheries . This 
type of fishing, governed by ordinary law, is in principle reserved for ECOWAS nationals ; nationals 
of non -ECOWAS countries have to set up in partnership with Guinean c itizens, and conclude a 
fisheries agreement with the Ministry to have access to small -scale fisheries resources, and then 
register their boats . In actual fact, small -scale fishing is practised by companies from Guinea, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana and abov e all Korea and China . Small-scale fishing boats must (in 
principle) offload all their catches in Guinea ; but export companies are allegedly proposing 
trans-shipment and purchase at sea of all the exportable production, which is banned with the aim 
of maxi mizing returns on production.  
4.57.   Indeed, since 2015, with the arrival of Korean and Chinese companies in the subsector, 
small -scale fishing has become increasingly export -oriented, as allowed under the new 
Fisheries  Code (Articles 144 to 158) . For 2017, expor ts total 127,000 tonnes of fresh fish, 
8,400  tonnes of frozen fish, 42,000 tonnes of dried or salted fish, and 101,000 tonnes of 
smoked  fish. 
                                                
20 Online information viewed at: http://peches.gov.gn/index.php/codes#pêche -continentale . 
21 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries . Viewed at: http://www.fao.org/3/a -v9878e.pdf . 
22 Online information viewed at: 
http://www.spcsrp.org/sites/default/files/csrp/Etat_membre/Guinee/spcsrp.org_QUI%20SOMMES%20NOUS_E
M_Guinee_PLAN%20DE%20PECHE %202016_FR.pdf . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 66 - 
 
  4.58.   Industrial fishing is largely dominated by foreign fishing boats operating under licence that 
mostly offload abroa d. To engage in fishing, whether small -scale or industrial, it is necessary to 
obtain a fisheries licence or permit, in the allocation of which priority is given, in principle, to 
companies or vessels chartered by Guinean shipowners, which affords them "national status " 
(Articles  12 to 16 of the Fisheries Code) . The fact that a boat is registered does not mean that it 
enjoys the status of Guinean vessel . Most boats fishing in Guinean waters are foreign vessels that 
are registered but do not have Guinean v essel status . Of the two types of foreign licence - fisheries 
agreement and free licence - only the latter was used in 2017, as Guinea does not have any current 
fisheries agreement (see below).  
4.59.   The price of an industrial licence is the same whether the ves sel is Guinean or foreign . The 
royalty fee for fishing rights, published annually in the Fisheries Development and Management  Plan, 
varies according to the species involved, but does not depend on the nationality of the company . 
Industrial fishing is subje ct to an obligation to offload a proportion of catches for sale on the local 
market . Guinean vessels holding an industrial licence, on the other hand, are required to offload the 
totality of their catches, even when for export . 
4.60.   At the regional level, sever al bodies share the goal of conservation, development and rational 
exploitation of fisheries resources : the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among 
African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, established by the Dakar Convention of 1991 ; the 
Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea ; the Subregional Fisheries Commission ; 
and the Regional Fisheries Committee for the Gulf of Guinea . These bodies were all active in 2017.23 
4.1.3.5.3   International trade in fisheries products  
4.61.   Despite its potenti al in fisheries, there is a considerable shortfall of fish products on the 
domestic market, and Guinea imports up to 60,000 tonnes of fish products annually .24 Annual 
per capita fish consumption increased from 7.4  kg in 1989 to around 17  kg in 2016, althoug h the 
figure is under 6  kg/year/inhabitant in some parts o f Guinée forestière  and Haute Guinée . As stated 
above, official exports of fisheries products are marginal.  
4.62.   According to the authorities, the subsector was badly hit by the suspension of European 
imports of fisheries products in February 2 007 on grounds of non -compliance with sanitary 
standards .25 In order to ensure the quality of Guinean fisheries products, in 2013 Guinea established 
a new sanitary office for fisheries and aquaculture products (ONSPA , Section 3.3.3) .26 In 2017, 
Guinea received technical assistance from the European Union to bring the different segments of the 
production -export chain into line with the prevailing standards . No Guinean entity was approved to 
export products to EU markets  in 2017 ; but the authorities hoped that the suspension would soon 
be lifted . The ONSPA expressed the need for assistance in the form of logistical resources and 
capacity building (training, facilities and inspection and official control equipment).  
4.63.   As reg ards fishing in Gui nean waters by vessels from EU m ember States, since 1983 Guinea 
has signed nine consecutive memoranda implementing fisheries agreements with the EU, but no 
new agreement has been signed since the suspension of the 2009 agreement . A series of agreements 
on trawler fishing have been signed between Guinea and China since 1997 . Each of them allowed 
Chinese fishing vessels to fish in Guinean waters for a period of two years, against financial 
consideration . The agreement covering the period 1 January 2 010 to 2 1 December 2 011 set the 
number of vessels for the trawler and cephalopod fishing boat categories at 17, with the possibility 
of increasing this number to 30, but without any increase in the financial consideration, which was 
set at US$1  million annually . Guinea has not signed any further agreements with China or any other 
country since 2013.  
                                                
23 Economic and Social Council (2010).  
24 Any fisheries product from a foreign country or any product fished and/or offloaded by a vessel flying 
a foreign flag is considered as imported . Order No. A /2009/4009/MPA/SGG/2009 regulating the impor t of 
fisheries and aquaculture products.  
25 European Commission Decision No.  2007/82/CE of 2 February 2 007. Viewed at: http://eur -
lex.europa.eu/legal -content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32007D0082&qid=1513262512670&from=fr . 
26 Online information viewed at: http://www.onspaguinee.com . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  4.2  Mining and energy  
4.2.1   Mining and quarrying  
4.2.1.1   Overview  
4.64.   The mining sector accounts for 16 %-17% of Guinea 's GDP, and a similar proportion of total 
public revenues (donations apart), yet only 10,000 jobs (0.25 % of the labour force) . Mining products 
contributed 99 % of Guinea 's export income in 2016, as against 84 % in 2015, thus constituting the 
bulk of the country 's exports ; this shows how dependent the econo my is on its mining sector, and 
above all how vulnerable it is to fluctuations in world prices for mining products . In 2017, the mining 
register contained a total of 455 companies ; although 33 of them alone contributed more than 
US$100,000 to the State bud get. 
4.65.   In particular, Guinea is one of the world 's major producers of bauxite : the value of bauxite 
exports increased by 48 % in 2016, to US$883  million , as a result of rising prices for this mineral on 
the world market . The other main export products,  in val ue terms, are gold, the value of which rose 
exponentially (US$961  million  in 2016) ; and diamonds (US$22  million , i.e. +22 %), a performance 
chiefly attributable to the start of operations of the new company Guiter Mining. (Chart  4.6). 
Chart 4.6 Mining products : prices and exports, 2010 -2016  
 
Source:  National Statistics Institute, Statistical Directory ; and online information from the World Bank.  
4.66.   In 2009 -2010, mining investors had pulled out of Gui nea on account of frequent changes in 
contract terms . Aware that Guinea is operating in a competitive global environment where it needs 
to attract mining investments, since 2011 the Government has sought to put in place a stable and 
positive investment cli mate for enterprises, and one which is equitable for its people, entailing a 
series of commitments in regard to taxation, finance, regulatory efficiency and promoting investment 
and exports . The main measures taken were the drafting of a new Mining Code, a nd the launch of a 
process of review of existing mining titles and agreements . The objective targeted was for 
investments in the mining sector to support the Government 's public investment programme and 
offer a source of shared prosperity despite the risk of fluctuations in product  prices.  
020406080100120140160180
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Aluminium (US$/tonne)
Gold (US$/troy ounce)
Iron ore (US$/tonne; scale on right-
hand axis)
02004006008001,0001,200
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Gold Bauxite DiamondsPrice of mining products Exports
(US$ millions)WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.67.   The main mining projects in operation are listed in Table  4.2. Most of their products go to 
China, Singapore and the Russian Federation . The growing demand for bauxite has come from China, 
following the ban on non -refined  bauxite exports imposed by Indonesia in 201427, which meant that 
Chinese consumers were obliged to diversify their sources of supply, whence the emergence in 
Guinea of several new producers specializing in exports to the Chinese market.  
4.68.   The amount of bauxi te processed locally into alumina is currently zero since the closure of the 
Péchiney plant in Fria in 2012 . However, unlike the other companies, the Bauxite Company of Guinea 
(CBG) exports calcined bauxite.28 In April 2017, the Rusal company announced the resumption of 
alumina production in Fria, with a planned output of 650,000 tonnes per year, i.e.  back to the level 
prior to 2012 when production was shut down . The production site would start being profitable as 
from 1  million tonnes.  
Table 4.2 Mining statistics, 2010 -2016  
(Thousands of tonnes, unless otherwise indicated)  
Company 
Mineral  Activity  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
CBG 
Bauxite  Production 
(tonne)  13,670  14,546  16,130  16,609  16,915  16,440  15,850  
 
Export 
(tonne)  12,603  12,940  14,506  15,166  15,239  15,328   14,950  
CBK 
Bauxite  Production 
(tonne)  2,945  3,000  3,400  3,740  36,255   3,400   3,500  
 
Export 
(tonne)  2,913  2,794  3,203  3,197  3,197   3,400   3,250  
SMB 
Bauxite  Production 
(tonne)  0 0 0 0 0 867 6 654 
 
Export 
(tonne)  0 0 0 0 0 796,110  6,142  
SAG 
Gold Production 
(ounce)  254,000  292,694  290,171  315,531  341,590  300,254  272,917  
 
Export 
(once)  254,000  2,694  290,171  315,531  341,590  300,254  272,659  
SMD 
Gold Production 
(ounce)  n.a. 192,073  174,438  163,844  203,402  214,853  194,984  
 
Export 
(once)  n.a. 195,693  171,874  162,666  195,744  223,326  194,984  
TASSILIMA  
Diamonds  Production 
(carat)  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 941.4  4,324.8  6,524.7  
 
Export 
(carat)  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 941.4  4 324.8  6 524.7  
GUITER  
Diamonds  Production 
(carat)  n.a. 2,507  7,441  8,539  2,411  6,035  3,931  
Export 
(carat)  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  Guinean authorities.  
4.69.   In this regard, the Government set forth a new mining policy in its Policy Letter of 2017. 
Among other things, the policy advocates promoting local content, by virtue of which 30 % of the 
cost of each project should go to Guinean nationals . A survey of local enterprises that might be able 
to supply mining companies was conducted . A subcontr acting exchange was set up to facilitate 
cooperation among stakeholders . Furthermore, differentiated extraction and export duties are 
applied according to the degree of local processing (see below).  
                                                
27 Online information viewed at: http://www.gard.no/web/updates/content/20738991/gard -alert-
indonesia -bulk-mineral -export -ban-update . 
28 Online information viewed at: http://www.cbg -guinee.com . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 69 - 
  4.70.   The suspension of the Simandou mining project in 2017 is partly explained by the high 
volatility of prices on world markets, and in particular the sharp fall in the price of iron ore since 
2011 (Chart  4.6). This ambitious project, entailing US$20  billion  worth of investment, was to enable 
the extraction and expo rt of a higher -quality iron ore, and create 50,000 jobs . The Simandou 
mountain chain was divided into four blocks . Blocks 1 and 2 were recently held by the BSGR company 
with which the Guinean State was involved in litigation in 2017 before the ICSID Arbitr ation Tribunal 
(Section 2.4) .29 According to the authorities, the company Rio  Tinto, to which blocks 3 and 4 were 
to be assigned, signified in July 2 016 its decision to scale down its presence in Guinea, and in 
October  2016 announced that it had signed an a greement to sell its stake in the project to the 
Chinese State -owned firm Chinalco.30 
4.71.   The score of 38 % obtained by Guinea in the Resource Governance Index ranked it 63rd out of 
89 countries evaluated, and 20th out of 30 in sub -Saharan Africa in 2016 .31 This poor performance 
is largely explained by inadequate management of mining revenues . The results are based above all 
on the bauxite sector, in view of its magnitude in the economy.  
4.2.1.2   Mining regime  
4.72.   The major mining reform undertaken since the previous TPR is th e adoption in 2011 and 
amendment in September 2 013 of a new Mining Code, replacing the Law of 1995 . Guinea was 
declared compliant with the standards of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 
July 2 014.32 Its first EITI report, covering 2013, was published in December 2 015, and the most 
recent in 2017, covering the year 2015 .33 The new provisions also provide for the disclosure of 
information on licence holders on the EITI website . One of the implementing dec rees addresses the 
financial arrangements for the Mining Code.  
4.73.   The new Code, like its predecessor, stipulates the obligation of non -discrimination vis-à-vis 
foreigners (Article  96). Nevertheless, the provisions of the new Mining Code of 2013 are not 
automa tically applicable to agreements that were signed prior to its entry into force and contain a 
stabilization clause.  
4.74.   One of the aims of the new Code is to increase the amount of income the State derives from 
the country 's mining resources . The main duties p aid by mining companies are summarized in 
Table  4.3. Tax avoidance, in particular the manipulation of transfer prices practised by some mining 
companies, is difficult to quantify but, according to several sources, represents a major problem in 
Guinea.34 
Table 4.3 Main mining duties and taxes collected, 2013 and 2016   
Type  Reference  Amount 
collected  
(US$ million)  
2013  2016  
Corporation tax or tax on industrial and commercial profits 
(BIC) (30%)  General Tax Code (CGI), 
Articles 219 -29; 
Mining Code, Article 143  102.5  n.a. 
Tax on additional profits (50%)  CGI, Article 143.2    
Extraction tax (percentage on unit of volume multiplied by 
world price). Its rate varies between 2% and 10% of the 
f.o.b. value or final sale value, depending on whether the 
substance is exported or sold locally, in natural state or 
processed: the highest rates apply to unprocessed Mining Code, Articles 139 
and 161 -2 83.5 n.a. 
                                                
29 La Tribune de Genève, 24 May 2017. Viewed at: 
https://www.tdg.ch/economie/argentfinances/Corruption -en-Guinee -Beny-Steinmetz -livre-sa-
verite/story/12320075 . 
30 Online information viewed at: http://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/country/guinea/overview . 
31 Online information viewed at: http://resourcegovernanceindex.org/country -profiles/GIN/mining . 
32 Law No. L/2013/053/CNT of 8 April 2 013 amending certain provisions of Law No. L/2011/006/CNT of 
9 September 2 011 containing t he Mining Code of  the Republic of Guinea . Viewed at: http://www.itie -
guinee.org/code -minier -2013. 
33 Online information viewed at: http://www.itie -guinee.org . 
34 Natural Resource Governance Institute (2016), Transfer Pricing in the Mining Sector in Guinea . Case 
Study , March 2 016, A . Readhead . Viewed at : 
https://resourcegovernance.org/sites/default/files/documents/nrgi_guinea_transfer -pricing -study.pdf . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 70 - 
 
  Type  Reference  Amount 
collected  
(US$ million)  
2013  2016  
substances such as bauxite (10%); the export tax on 
alumina is 5%.  
Tax on the export of mineral substances other than 
precious substances (from 0.075% for bauxite to 2% for 
ores, and  3% for radioactive substances)  Mining Code, Articles 161 -
2 n.a. n.a. 
Tax on the export of small -scale and industrial production 
(gold and diamonds). The rate of the export tax varies from 
2% on gold exported by the Central Bank to 3% on gold 
exported by private persons, and from 3% on diamond 
exports to 5% on some stones (A rticle 163)  Mining Code, Article 164  36.1 n.a. 
Fiscal import and export duty (DFI+DFE)  Mining Code, 
Articles  178-80 19.8 n.a. 
Deductions on employees' remuneration and salaries 
(RTS); payroll tax (VF): 6% of total payroll payable to the 
national budget;  and apprenticeship tax (TA): payable by 
employers, at 3% of salaries, etc., recorded as company 
overheads)  CGI, Articles 201, 205 -6 19.1 n.a. 
Withholding tax on non -salary income paid to service 
providers established outside Guinea  n.a. 16.6 n.a. 
Social  security contributions (CNSS)  n.a. 5.5 n.a. 
VAT CGI 3.6 n.a. 
Import registration fee  (0.5%)  Agreements  0.1 n.a. 
Fixed fee for issuance of a permit  Mining Code, Article 159  <0.1 n.a. 
Land royalty (proportional to the surface area covered by 
the permit)   <0.1 n.a. 
Tax on income from securities (IRVM, 10%)  Mining Code, Article 186  <0.1 n.a. 
Deed registration fees   <0.1 n.a. 
Lump -sum payroll tax   <0.1 n.a. 
Apprenticeship tax   <0.1 n.a. 
Contribution to local development   <0.1 n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  Guinean authorities.  
4.75.   Small -scale operators sell their precious metals and stones to collection agents who sell them 
on to purchasers . Artisanal gold, diamonds and gems and precious metals can only be exported 
through purchasers organized within Accredited Trading Agencies, the opening of which is authorized 
by order of the Minister on the recommendation of the National Bureau of Expertise for Diamonds, 
Gold and Precious Metals (BNE, Article 60 of the Mining Code) . The value of the stones is deter mined 
by the BNE on the basis of the quality of the stones and their carat weight, and is used as the basis 
for the export tax . The mining companies sell their diamonds at auctions, in which external clients 
and the BCRG take part . Artisanal diamonds and g old are exported by the  BCRG.  
4.76.   Mineral substances mined in Guinea by holders of a mining permit and that are exported in 
their natural state without prior processing into semi -finished or finished products are subject to a 
specific export tax (Table  4.4). However, the rate of this export tax is halved if the stones are 
exported after having been cut in Guinea (Article 163) . Holders of a mining permit who mine 
substances in Guinea for the sole purpose of exporting them in their natural state, without resellin g 
them on the domestic market, may request the application of a simplified declaration regime allowing 
them to declare the mineral extraction tax and the export tax in a single declaration.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 71 - 
  Table 4.4 Mining ex port taxes  
Substance  Extraction tax (%)  Export tax (%)  
Bauxite  0.075  0.075  
Iron 3 3.5 
Gold n.a. 5 
Artisanal gold  n.a. 0a 
Diamonds  n.a. 5 
Artisanal diamonds  n.a. 3 
n.a. Not available.  
a Gold free of export tax under a waiver since February 2 016 (0 %). 
Source:  Ministry responsible for mines.  
4.77.   The mining sector was also the biggest importer in 2016, with imports growing by 102 % in 
that year, to US$4.4  billion , of which US$2.2  billion  was for equipment . The Mining Code grants 
mining companies several fisca l and customs advantages, without prejudice to the other benefits 
that may be contained in mining agreements, the General Tax Code (CGI) or the Customs Code . 
During prospecting and subsequent construction, mining companies enjoy, throughout the whole of 
both phases, full exemption from customs duties, taxes and fees on professional equipment, 
materials and replacement parts needed to keep materials operating ; and temporary admission 
regimes for materials used in the research phase (Articles 153 -7 of the Min ing Code).  
4.78.   Holders of a mining agreement associated with an operating permit, as well as their 
subcontractors, enjoy, throughout the installation, expansion and renovation phase, exemption from 
customs duties, taxes and fees on imported supplies, spare par ts and lubricants . Instead of these 
duties and taxes, the firms pay a single "registration fee " (TE) of 5 % of the f.o.b. value of the imports 
made (Section 3.1.4 and Table A3.2) . According to the authorities, these tax exemptions are 
indispensable for attr acting investors.  
4.79.   Imports of goods which are on the approved Mining List are exempt from VAT (Article 166 of 
the Mining Code) . Mining companies are also exempt, for three years from the date of first 
commercial production, from the annual minimum tax (IMF) ; the business tax ; the contribution to 
the National Office for Vocational and Further Trainin g (ONFPP) or the apprenticeship tax (TA) ; and 
the single property tax (CFU) (Table 2.2).  
4.80.   The major change introduced by the new Mining Code is the creation of an interministerial 
commission responsible for reviewing mining lists . Aware that many companies are making 
substantial savings on their corporation tax by declaring large financial expenses based on high 
levels of debt towards their shareholders (for example  their parent companies), the Government has 
sought to limit this phenomenon (Article 97 of the CGI).  
4.81.   The new Mining Code (Article 161) provides that mining taxes (extraction tax on substances 
in Table  4.4) are calculated on the basis of international pric e indices, in order to avoid the risk of 
companies manipulating selling prices with the aim of paying less tax . The article in question 
specifies the price indices to be used to calculate taxes for base metals such as bauxite and iron  ore, 
and for industri al or semi -industrial production of precious metals.  
4.82.   The new Code also introduces changes in regard to the transport of mining products . For 
exports, the State reserves the right to transport 50 % of mining production by sea . The State may 
exercise this rig ht either directly, or through any entity acting on its behalf . However, transporters 
are no longer approved for an indefinite period, but by order for a specified period and in exchange 
for a ceiling level per type . The transport company has to be incorpo rated under Guinean law and 
have Guinean partners (section 4.4.1.2).  
4.83.   Foreign currency generated by exports of mining products must be repatriated to Guinea 
within a prescribed period (e.g. 30 days for diamonds).  
4.84.   Further to an institutional audit carried ou t in 2013 -2016, the Ministry of Mines and Geology 
implemented a series of reforms in 2016 under which, inter alia , the cadastral register for mining 
(Mining Register) was modernized. Since September 2016, an Internet portal offers investors the WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  facility to  consult the Mining Register online.35 Since July 2016, mining company applications for 
authorizations have been processed through a single window. Responsibility for maintaining the 
Mining Register lies with the Mining Promotion and Development Centre (CPD M).36 The 
Interministerial Monitoring Committee for Integrated Mining Projects (CISPMI) acts as the single 
window for other authorizations under the mining permit for integrated projects. The Mining Code 
provides for permits to be granted by public auctions , which took place in 2014 and 2017.  
4.85.   The National Assembly is responsible for passing laws on the mining sector, ratifying mining 
agreements and monitoring the management of natural resources. To this end, the Assembly has 
set up the National Mining Commis sion, which is responsible for giving its opinion on the granting or 
withdrawal of mining titles and permits, and ensuring compliance with  the Mining Code and its 
implementing texts . Nevertheless, the Assembly has never yet raised any questions concerning the 
collection of mining revenues when drawing up the annual budget, and has rarely challenged 
operating agreements for mining or hydrocarbons.  
4.86.   The new Code affords the State an ownership interest of up to a maximum of 15 % in mining 
projects (Article  150). The primary mission of the Guinean Mineral Assets Company (SOGUIPAMI)37, 
which is wholly owned by the State, is to monitor and supervise mining operations  through State 
shareholdings . The Chamber of Mines of Guinea, set up in January 1 997, is the umbrella organization 
of the principal mining companies.38 
4.87.   Guinea belongs to the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) . Since 2002 -2003, it 
has taken part in the Kimberley Process, in particular through the National Confederation of Diamond 
and Gold Miners of  Guinea (CONADOG) . Under this process, Guinea set up a scheme to certify rough 
diamonds in 2001 . CONADOG is a private association independent from the Ministry responsible for 
mines, which works to protect the interests of its members and participates in c onflict management 
in small -scale mining areas .39 It is involved in the marketing process from the pithead to the buying 
agencies, which are the sole entities authorized to export diamonds.  
4.88.   The marketing and export of artisanal gold from small -scale mining are jointly regulated by 
the Ministry responsible for mines and the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG) (Article  61 
of the Mining Code) . The Bank notably determines the value of the ingot used as a basis for 
calculating the 5 % tax. The only perso ns authorized to possess or transport diamonds are holders 
of small -scale mining titles ; approved collectors of diamonds ; approved diamond purchasing and 
export agents ; the specialized officials of the BNE, who value the stones and precious metals ; the 
BCRG; and foreign importers in possession of a valid import certificate.40 
4.89.   Guinea benefits from the Mineral Governance Support Project (PAGSEM)41 financed by the 
World Bank; and the Economic Planning and Mining Governance Support Project (PAPEGM) financed 
by the African Development  Bank.42 
4.2.1.3   Environmental and social considerations  
4.90.   Mining operations have an adverse impact on the protection of natural resources . The gold, 
bauxite and diamond industry has dangerously affected plant cover and water and soil resources, 
through various types of pollution and disruption . Small-scale gold mining continues to inflict 
enormous damage on forest cover, the soil and the subsoil, even to the extent of causing water 
resources to dry up . In view of the harm and risks, and if the cu rrent trend is not reversed, Guinea 
                                                
35 Online information v iewed at: 
http://www.guinee.cadastreminier.org/ http://guinee.cadastreminier.org/fr . 
36 Online information v iewed at: http://www.cpdm -mines.org/fr/promotion . 
37 Online information v iewed at: http://soguipami -gn.com . 
38 Online information v iewed at: http://www.chambredesminesgn.com . 
39 Order No.  974/MATD/SACCO/2006 of 2 3 February 2 006 approving CONADOG.  
40 The Diamond Buying and Export Agency (CARAT) is a public administrative and technical institution 
tasked with valuing and certifying diamonds, gold and other gemstones intended for export . The CARAT allows 
diamond transactions between approved and registe red operators, in accordance with the Kimberley Process 
certification scheme . The BNE, for its part, is governed by Law No. 093/CTRN/1992 on artisanal diamond 
operations and marketing in Guinea . The information on export statistics was viewed at: 
http://ww w.kimberleyprocess.stats . 
41 Online information v iewed at: http://www.pagsem.org . 
42 Online information v iewed at: http://www.ucepguinee.com/PAPEGM/ . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 73 - 
  could seriously compromise the balance of its water systems to the detriment of its own population, 
present or future.43 
4.91.   The measures taken to counter the impact of mining operations on the environment are listed 
in the M ining Code (Articles 22, 26, 30, 142, 143, 144, etc.) and the Environment Code and, more 
specifically, are set out in detail in the Code 's environmental directives, namely : an environmental 
impact notice ; an environmental impact study published in hard copy; and a resettlement and 
compensation plan . These documents are validated by the Technical Committee for Environmental 
Analysis . Follow-up of the environmental management plans is ensured by the Ministry of the 
Environment.  
4.92.   A "Responsible Mineral Devel opment Initiative" (RMDI) was launched by the Government in 
June 2016 to improve relations between mining companies and local  resident communities . 
A provision of the Code specifies that 15 % of mining taxes shall be shared with the local population, 
but th is does not appear to have been actually put into practice . Two decrees, on the creation of a 
local development fund and a national development fund, respectively, were awaiting signature in 
October 2 017. 
4.2.2   Energy and water  
4.2.2.1   Hydrocarbons  
4.93.   All petroleum product s consumed in Guinea are imported . They are refined products, chiefly 
imported from the Netherlands . These imports fell from US$462  million  in 2011 (24 % of total 
imports, Chart 1.1) to US$317  million  in 2015 (15 % of the total), primarily on account of the drop 
in world prices . The Guinean Petroleum Company (SGP) has a monopoly of all import, storage and 
bulk delivery of all petroleum products. The SGP is a semi -public company jointly owned by the State 
and the major private companies. General management is exercised by Total or Shell in turn for 
periods of three years. It has not yet been notified to the WTO as a State -trading enterprise.  
4.94.   The State has also kept its holding in the Semi -Public Fuel Handling Company of Guinea 
(Société mixte de carburants et d'avitaillement  de Guinée  (SOMCAG)), which is responsible for 
supplying fuel to aircraft. Its capital is 49% owned by the Guinean State and 51% by Total.  
4.95.   The Petroleum Code of 1986, revised in 2014, lays down the conditions governing extraction 
of hydrocarbo ns and stipulates the management of petroleum products and their derivatives.44 The 
establishment of a plan to ensure reliable supply of petroleum products, matching the storage 
capacity and stock turnover rate, constituted one of the objectives of the Gove rnment's action plan 
in 2011. To achieve those objectives, a new National Petroleum Office (ONAP) was set up in 2015 
under the direct supervision of the Office of the President of the Republic.45 The National Directorate 
of Petroleum Products and Derivative s (DNPPD) was transferred from the Ministry of Trade to the 
ONAP. The Ministry of Trade nonetheless continues to sit on the joint committee responsible for 
determining the price of petroleum  products, together with the oil companies, representatives of the  
Ministry of the Economy and Finance and of the BCRG . The profit margins for transport, distribution 
and retail are set for each of the products . The selling price is the same throughout Guinea . The 
committee examines, inter alia , levels of taxation and fiscal exemptions . It is also responsible for 
managing imports . It organizes calls for bids for the supply of petroleum products and monitors 
stocks . 
4.96.   Domestic transportation and distribution of petroleum products remain in the hands of 
international and Gu inean oil companies that belong to the SGP . In 15 years, the total number of 
petrol stations rose from 200 to 220, most of them served by Total and located in Conakry.  
4.97.   In December 2 017, the price of fuel (gas oil) at the pump was GNF 8,000/litre (around €0 .80). 
The total taxes levied on petrol represented 33 % of its selling price in 2011, as against 60 % in 1998 . 
The largest consumers of hydrocarbons are the mining companies, which enjoy tax exemption on 
                                                
43 National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) 2016 -2020.  
44 Law No. L/2014/034/AN of 2 3 December 2 014 containing  the Petroleum Code of the Republic of 
Guinea.  
45 Decree No. D /2015/165/PRG/SGG on the establishment, statutes, mission, duties and organization of 
the National Petroleum Office.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 74 - 
 
  petroleum products imported for their own consumption . According to the Customs, these 
exemptions lead to large losses in revenue for the Treasury and entail a risk of fraud.  
4.98.   Customs duty ranges from 5 % (HS 2709) to 20 % (HS 2710) on semi -finished and finished 
products . The State also levies the DDI (Section 3 .1.1) on imports of petroleum products, at a rate 
of 0.5 % of the f.o.b. import value . 
4.2.2.2   Electricity  
4.99.   More than 80 % of Guinea 's population is still not connected to the national electricity grid or 
indeed any other source of electricity . The electricity access  ratio in rural areas is one of the lowest 
in the subregion (under 3 %).46 And yet, back in 1998 the Government had already launched a policy 
for the development of access to electricity in rural areas, in a "Sectoral Policy Letter for the 
promotion of decen tralized rural electrification ", which was confirmed in 2012 in the "Policy Letter 
on development of the energy sector".  
4.100.   This new policy helped to double Guinea 's electricity output, up to 1,034 MWh in 2016, 
following the entry into service of the Kaleta dam (240 MW) built by the China International Water 
and Electricity Corporation (CWE) . The total installed power has reached 673 MW .47 According to the 
authorities, Guinea 's potential is 6,000 MW, of which 10 % was exploited as a t December 2 017. In 
particula r, construction of the Souapiti dam (450 MW), which will furnish Kaleta with a large quantity 
of water, might enable Guinea to export energy to other countries of the subregion.48 
4.101.   Guinea 's electricity network was not yet connected with any other country in 2017. However, 
several electricity interconnection projects are under way, notably the Côte d 'Ivoire, Liberia, 
Sierra  Leone and Guinea interconnection project (CLSG); the Gambia River Basin Development 
Organization (OMVG) energy project, whose members are The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea -Bissau and 
Senegal; the Guinea -Mali electricity interconnection project; and the Linsan -Fomi interconnection 
line project. This should  serve to connect Guinea with all its neighbouring countries by 2020 -2021. 
In 2016, hydroelectr ic power represented 88 % of production, and conventional thermal plants 12 %. 
Renewable energies are not as yet used.  
4.102.   The incumbent State operator Guinea Electricity ( Electricité de Guinée  (EDG)), set up in 
2001 and wholly State -owned, supplies 25 % of natio nal electricity production . The remainder is 
supplied primarily by the Kaleta hydroelectric power station and three thermal power stations : 
AON (100 MW thermal plant, private Mauritanian capital), Guinéenne d 'Energie  (50 MW), and 
AISI (44 MW) ; all these ar e independent producers selling the energy produced to the 
Guinean  State.  
4.103.   The Kaleta plant was built for the Guinean Government by CWE which operates it on behalf 
of the State . The State decided after its construction to turn it into a joint -stock company,  so as to 
release the necessary funds to meet its share of the financing for construction of the Souapiti dam . 
This process had not yet been completed by end 2017, nor indeed had the price been set for power 
delivered to the State from Kaleta.  
4.104.   In addition,  three autonomous producers generate electricity for their own consumption : the 
Bauxite Company of Guinea (CBG) at Kamar and Sangaredi ; Rusal at Fria (not currently operating) ; 
and the Goldfield Company of Guinea (SAG) at Siguiri . The latter company supplies power to the 
town of Siguiri, and its production (with a capacity of 3.2 MW) is billed to the Guinean  State.  
4.105.   Electrical energy comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and Water 
Resources. Law No. L/93/039/CTRN on the generation, t ransport and distribution of electricity 
continues to constitute the primary legislation for the sector. It provides that access to the electricity 
                                                
46 See International Financ e Corporation (2016), Public -Private Partnership Stories - Guinea : 
Électricité  de Guinée . Viewed at: 
https://ww w.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/5110ac804bf90737871cdf7cbf6249b9/Guinea+Power_PPP+Stories_Fina
l_9+March+2016.pdf?MOD=AJPERES . 
47 Data from the Energy Information System, Ministry of Energy . Viewed at: http://www.sieguinee -
dne.org/index.php/informations.html . 
48 Online information from Guinée7.com . Viewed at: http://guinee7.com/2016/03/31/la -verite -sur-le-
barrage -hydroelectrique -de-kaleta -on-y-etait-reportage/#xRiG5sWbRGV 0YLud.99 . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 75 - 
  market in Guinea (generation, distribution, trading) shall remain structured as a State monopoly 
assigned to  EDG. 
4.106.   Electricity prices in Guinea are set by a joint order of the Minister of the Economy and Finance 
and the Minister of Energy, depending on use (domestic or professional) and power . They were 
increased by 25 % on 1 October 2 016, in order to approach the  level required to ensure cost recovery, 
but the increase had not yet been enforced in December 2 017.49 A system of prepay meters was 
being introduced in December 2 017. The average selling price of low -voltage power was 
GNF 770 per kWh in 2017 (US$0.085) . In comparison, the price to industry of medium an d 
high-voltage electricity in the same year stood at GNF 1,243/kWh (around US$0.14).  
4.107.   Law No. L /2013/061/CNT of September 2 013 on rural electrification paved the way for the 
inception of the Guinean Rural Elec trification Agency (AGER), confirmed the option of recourse to 
private operators by also liberalizing the transport and distribution of electricity in rural areas, and 
set forth the main strands of the regulatory framework for rural electrification . An implementing 
decree for the AGER was issued in May 2 017.50 
4.2.2.3   Water  
4.108.   The latest major investment in expanding the capacity of water facilities in Guinea dates 
back to 1994 . The main legislative text also dates from that era .51 In 2001, the State took back 
managemen t of the water sector following non -renewal of the contract with the private water 
supplier upon expiry, and entrusted the Guinean Water Company (SEG) with managing  the urban 
water resources subsector .52 This public limited company with a State holding has a monopoly, and 
is responsible for investment and for maintaining and operating water production, transport, storage 
and distribution plant and facilities in urban areas . Water prices throughout Guinea are set in a joint 
order by the Minister of the Econom y and Finance and the Minister responsible for water  resources.  
4.109.   As previously indicated, average rainfall of over 1,300 mm annually makes Guinea one of 
the most important reservoirs of water in West Africa . Water is naturally available through an 
extensive  network of 1,200 rivers and watercourses listed by the National Division of Water 
Resources in the Ministry responsible for energy and the environment . Nevertheless, only 26 of the 
33 towns currently have running water . Total daily production for the coun try as a whole is some 
175,000 m3 (63.75  million m3 per year), of which 87 % for the city of Conakry and 13 % for the other 
towns.53 
4.110.   There are frequent water shortages because demand far outstrips production capacity . For 
example, in Kindia, a town with 150,000 inhabitants, access to drinking water and sanitation falls 
far short of the Millennium Development Goals target54, on account of the degraded state of the 
drinking water infrastructure, virtually non -existent sanitation infrastructure and inadequate  
coverage of the population at a time when it is experiencing strong demographic growth (+50 % in 
10 years) . These deficiencies give rise to an alarming health situation involving water -related 
diseases such as typhoid fever, chronic diarrhoea and recurring  cholera, which directly threaten the 
town's development and capacity to attract.  
4.111.   The water subsector at the village level is administered by the Water Distribution Company 
(SNAPE), which is responsible for providing water distribution points in Guinea's i nterior and for 
sanitation in rural areas. In May 2011, the Government presented 12 development projects for the 
water sector, for which financing was still being sought in 2017  from private investors and 
development partners.  
                                                
49 See, inter alia , the Etude tarifaire pour le secteur de l'électricité de Guinée . Viewed at: 
http://invest.gov.gn/document/rapport -d-etude -tarifaire -de-l-edg. 
50 Decree No. D /2017/099/PRG/SGG, on the establishment, organization , powers and operation of the 
Guinean Rural Electrification Agency.  
51 Law No. L/94/005/CTRN  containing  the Water Code.  
52 Decree No. D /2001/096/PRG/SGG, on reorganization of the urban water resou rces subsector . This 
company has a website . Viewed at: http://segguinee.com . 
53 SEG Activity Report 2016.  
54 Online information viewed at: http://www.un.org/fr/millen niumgoals . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.3  Manufacturing sector  
4.112.   The pros pect of a regular and abundant energy supply opens up the possibility of developing 
the manufacturing sector, provided that new infrastructures, and in particular tracks, roads and 
industrial zones, are developed or refurbished, on top of ongoing efforts t o enhance the business 
climate ( Section 2.4). Moreover, the tangible progress made since 2014 in terms of electricity supply 
(Section 4.2.2 .2) was not yet exerting the expected knock -on effect on industrial production by 
2017, probably because most enterpr ises were still not connected to the mains electricity grid . In 
addition, fiscal pressure on enterprises in the formal sector remains very high, although it could ease 
with the new Investment Code, especially for SMEs (Section 2.4).  
4.113.   A stated ambition of the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) is to 
increase the share of manufacturing in GDP from 8.3% in 2015 to at least 9.5% in 2020, although  
it does not identify priority subsectors (e.g. processing of mining products, fisheries products, 
agricultural products, etc.) . Yet the authorities have been looking at the issue of industrial 
development for decades . In 1990 and 1991, Guinea adopted a Blueprint for Industrialization drawn 
up with the assistance of UNDP and UNIDO . It would appear that the latest document containing a 
national industrialization strategy was a Blueprint for Industrialization prepared by UNIDO in 2009 . 
Among recent developments, the new Mining Code contains a strategy for processing of local mining 
products ( Section  4.2.1. 2). 
4.114.   Manufacturing is still confined to a  hundred  or so formal enterprises, producing mainly flour, 
beer, fruit juice (Section 3.3.5), mineral water, edible oils, cement, cotton, soap and chemical 
products . Most of these enterprises enjoy a monopoly or virt ual monopoly on the domestic market 
but face strong competition from imported like products . Few enterprises export, as reflected by the 
small number of products approved under the ECOWAS free -trade regime (Section 3.1.2).  
4.4  Services  
4.4.1   Transport services  
4.4.1.1   General  
4.115.   Imports of transport services mainly concern spending on maritime and air freight, of the 
order of US$300  million  annually . Exports play a marginal role . The Ministry of Transport is 
responsible for designing, drawing up and implementing the governm ent policy on land, air, 
maritime and river transport, and meteorology . It does not appear to have an active website . The 
following State -owned companies and institutions come under its responsibility:  
• Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC);  
• Guinean Shipping Com pany (SNG);  
• Maritime Navigation Agency (ANAM);  
• Air Navigation Agency (ANA);  
• Guinean Shippers' Agency (OGC);  
• National Railway Company of Guinea (SNCFG);  
• Conakry Airport Management and Operation Company (SOGEAC);  
• Semi-Public Fuel Handling Company of Guinea ( SOMCAG); and  
• Guinea Urban Passenger Transport Company (SOTRAGUI).  
4.116.   As far as developments since the last TPR are concerned, the semi-public Guinea -Norway 
Maritime Transport Company (GUINOMAR), which had the exclusive right to transport half of the 
bauxite o f the Bauxite Company of Guinea (CBG), was liquidated in 2012. The Guinean Shipping 
Company (SNG) does not have any vessels, but nevertheless receives US$0.10/tonne of goods 
loaded or unloaded in the PAC as a shipping royalty under the UNCTAD liner confere nce system, 
which came to the equivalent of €1.8 million in 2010 paid by the foreign shipping lines serving 
the PAC. The revenue yielded by this royalty is transferred in part to the Merchant Marine 
Directorate  (DMM).  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 77 - 
  4.117.   As the Mining Code provides that half of the bauxite mined in Guinea is to be transported by 
Guinean companies, in 2011 the SNG set up with a foreign partner a joint venture called 
Nako Shipping SNG, which handles transportation of the share of Guinea's bauxite guaranteed by 
the Mining Code an d the CBG agreement (Section 4.2.1).  
4.4.1.2   Maritime transport  
4.118.   New regulatory texts governing maritime transport have been adopted since 2011 
(Table  4.5). No new agreement has been ratified since 2010, pending revision of the Merchant 
Marine Code of 1995; a new C ode along with new implementing texts was expected  for April 2 018. 
Table 4.5 Recapitatulation of texts governing merchant shipping  
Reference  Text Date of 
signing  
Decree No. 2015/PRG/SGG of 
7 October 2 015  Decree abrogating Decree No. D /2011/305/PRG/SGG  
Decree introducing the International Cargo Tracking Note for 
ISPS Code  n.a. 
Joint Order No. 
A595/MEEF/METPT/2013 of 
5 April 2013 amending Order 
No. 750/MEE/METPT/2013  Order on the management of revenues from application of the 
International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)/cargo monitoring slip 
(BSC) for ISPS Code  24/03/2014  
Order No.  2485/MTD/SGG/2013  Order laying down the conditions for serving ports in the 
Republic of Gu inea 17/06/2013  
Joint Order No.  
750/MEEF/METPT/2013  Order on the management of revenues from application of the 
International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)/cargo monitoring slip 
(BSC) for ISPS Code  05/04/2013  
Decree No. 2013/016/PRG/SGG  Decree on the establishment and composition of the National 
Commission for the boarding of unlawful fishing vessels  15/01/2013  
Decree No. D /2011/305/PRG/SGG  Decree introducing the International Cargo Tracking Note for 
ISPS Code  19/12/2011  
Order No. 3172/MT/CAB/2011  Order on prevention of marine pollution by vessels  22/06/2011  
Order No. 021/MT/CAB/2011  Order on appointment of members of the Joint Office for the 
placing of seamen  24/01/2011  
Order No. 6870/MT/CAB/2010  Order laying down the conditions for exercising the profession 
of seaman and the qualification standards required on board 
vessels flying the Guinean flag  08/12/2010  
Order No. 6869/MT/CAB/2010  Order on the establishment, organization and operation of the 
Joint Office of seamen  08/12/2010  
Order No. 5131/MT/CAB/2010  Order approving the tariffs for provision of ship consignment 
services at the Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC)  11/11/2010  
Order No. 4753/MT/CAB/2010  Order establishing a commission for the payment of 
indemnities associated with the seizure a nd release of vessels  29/10/2010  
Order No. 4550/MT/CAB/2010  Order setting the conditions for delimitation of the public 
maritime domain  19/10/2010  
Decree No.  
174/PRG/CNDD/SGG/2010  Decree establishing the Guinean Shippers Agency (OGC)  10/06/2010  
Order No. 2178/MT/CAB/2010  Order regulating the issuance of navigation permits  10/06/2010  
Order No. 2177/MT/CAB/2010  Order regulating navigation safety of small sailing and motor 
boats of less than 24 metres in length  08/06/2010  
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  National Merchant Marine Directorate.  
4.119.   Since the liquidation of GUINOMAR in 2012, the Guinean maritime transport services market 
appears to be open to competition, including foreign competition . Nevertheless, cabotage by 
foreigners requires prior authorizat ion from the Ministry of Transport . The Government is issuing 
provisional authorizations . Some mining companies apparently transport their products themselves, 
for tans -shipment at sea on to large vessels . According to the authorities, one of the aims of t he 
updated Code would be to regulate access to offshore platforms in order to secure a share of this 
market for local transport enterprises, especially with a view to possible oil operations . A new text 
regulates mining transport on the Nunez River and in the maritime area adjacent to its estuary, and 
makes this activity subject to authorization.  
4.120.   In 2017, some 20 foreign shipping lines served the PAC, the main container companies being 
Maersk Line, Delmas, MSC, SAFMARNE, CMA -CGM and Grimaldi . Maersk Guinea claimed to have 
74% of the import market and 80 % of the export market in 2011 . The Government still plans to 
establish a Guinean national naval fleet.  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.121.   In December 2 013, the Guinean press announced a sudden hike in prices for the transport 
of used cars betw een Europe and Guinea, resulting from a new additional tax levied on commercial 
freight at the PAC .55 Several charges are being levied:  
• Since 2011, the importer has been required to pay a fee of US$65 -100 per TEU  container 
to finance the scanner installed i n the PAC in order to implement the International Ship 
and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), which came into effect on  1 July 2 004. All 
containers and sealed packages are scanned on import . The funds go to merchant 
shipping.  
• Since 1 August 2 010, cargoes have to be covered by a cargo monitoring slip (BSC), which 
is compulsory when leaving any loading port .56 The charge has reportedly been increased 
in relation to its 2011 level of €100/TEU container ; €25 per vehicle not exceeding 5  tonnes ; 
and €50 for heavi er vehicles . There is an additional administrative fee of US$65 per bill of 
lading and a "bank tax " of US$20 . The proceeds are shared between merchant shipping, 
the Treasury and the Guinean National Shippers ' Council.  
• The shipowner fees described above.  
• The terminal handling charge (THC) paid to shipping companies to sustain their 
profitability following the reductions in freight duties on certain lines . The THC (and its 
rate set in the approved schedule of service tariffs) is covered in the order setting t he 
approved consignment service tariffs . 
4.4.1.3   Port services  
4.122.   Guinea has two main ports : the Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC) and the Kamsar 
deep-water ore terminal (13m draught) . The port at Kamsar is mainly used for exporting the bauxite 
mined by the Bauxite Co mpany of Guinea (CBG), which manages the port . New ports were under 
construction in 2017.  
4.123.   The container terminal is managed by the Bolloré Group, which offers its logistics services 
there .57 In March 2 011, the Bolloré Group is reported to have allocated €50 0 million  over 25 years 
to bring the PAC up to an "international and respectable level ".58 Overall, the volume of container 
traffic has not significantly increased, and stood at 160,000 TEU in 2016 (Chart  4.7). The PAC 's 
weaknesses are a shallow draught, co ngestion, low productivity and inefficient handling, so its 
upgrading is a matter of priority.  
4.124.   Goods traffic at the port of Conakry is shown in Table  4.6. 
4.125.   Consignees operating in Guinea are associated within the Guinean Association of Shipping 
Agents (AGUI COM). Further to the adoption of the new Mining Code (Section 4.2.1), orders laying 
down the conditions for transporting Guinean minerals are henceforth adopted for three years, and 
include a ceiling level per type. The authorities hope that this measure w ill lead to a reduction in  
freight costs.  
4.126.   The port police regulations specify all the costs associated with use of the PAC . The PAC 
enjoys exclusive rights for towing, pilot and berthing services and for ensuring security of ships and 
cargoes . Port charges  were revised in 2010 in order to lower costs for operators, and have apparently 
not changed since . Pilot services cost €0.018/m3 of the ship 's volume ; and towing is invoiced at 
€0.052/m3. Security costs €480 per day . The vessel fee (RSN) ranges from €0.08/m3 to €0.21/m3, 
                                                
55 According to L 'Express Guinée , viewed at: http://www.lexpressguinee.com/fichiers/blog16 -
999.php?type=rub2&langue=fr&code=calb3697 . 
56 Decree  No. D /174/PRG/CNDD/SGG/2010 of 2 9 July 2 010, establishing the OGC ; Order 
No. 2010/4549/MT/SGG of 3 0 July 2 010 on organization and operation of the OGC ; and Order 
No. 2010/4035/MT/SGG of 1 September 2 010 amending Order No.  2010/3096/MT/SGG introducing the BSC 
for general goods.  
57 Online information v iewed at: http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/09/16 /vincent -bollore -et-
le-port-maudit -de-conakry_4998780_3212.html#25ryqikDQ71hX7Qk.99 . 
58 The relevant legal references are seemingly Decrees Nos.  071 and 074 of 8 March 2 011, terminating 
the GETMA concession.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 79 - 
  with special provisions for fishing vessels and reductions for ships loading exports or returning with 
empty containers . To this must be added a fee for goods unloaded or loaded in the PAC, expressed 
in Guinean francs per container, o r per tonne for bulk goods .59 There are also charges for renting 
quayside warehouses (€6.5/m2 per year), open storage yards (€10/m2 per year) and for using public 
equipment in the port.  
Chart 4.7 Volume of cont ainer traffic in West Africa, 2016  
Note:  Includes estimates for countries for which no current -year data were available.  
Source:  UNCTAD Secretariat.  
Table 4.6 Overall goods traffic at the port of Conakry, 201 0, 2015 and  2016  
(Thousands of tonnes)  
Description  2010  2015  2016  
Imports, of which : 3,201  4,293  5,061  
Food products  781 1,262  1,933  
Gas oil, petrol and others   880 964 
Cement  442 1,171  1,227  
Exports, of which:  3,876  3,797  3,659  
Bauxite  2,842  3,597  3,399  
Alumina  604 0 0 
Plant products  215 84 76 
Pro memoria :    
Number of vessels (thousands of containersa) 700 (165)  1,112 (112)  1,117 (176)  
a TEU = twenty -foot equivalent units.  
Source:  Autonomous Port of Conakry.  
4.127.   All ancillary port activities (transit, consignment, handling and transport) have been provided 
by the private sector since 1987 . Consignment and handling companies (both on board and on land) 
must however be approved by the Ministry . The major handling firms are Maersk, GETMA Guinea 
and SDV . There are no restrictions on the presence of foreign handling firms, except that for handling 
sacks (rice, flour, other foodstuffs) the companies must undertake to employ Guinean dockers 
recruited from the port labour office.60 
4.128.   Professionals working  in the shipping sector (consignees, handlers, etc.) belong to the 
Guinean Association of Maritime and Port Companies (AGEMAP). The maximum charges for services 
are determined by the operators, formed into economic interest groups (including the Consignees  
Organization and the Organization of Cargo Handlers), and then approved by the Ministry of 
Transport. A document approved by the National Merchant Marine Directorate sets the rates for 
consignment services. According to this document, in 2011 a delivery n ote for a  passenger vehicle 
                                                
59 Using an exchange rate of GNF  10,000 per euro.  
60 Order No.  10629/MT/SGG of 2 6 November 2 004, extended in 2006.  
02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,600
Nigeria Ghana Côte
d'IvoireSenegal Benin Togo Guinea Sierra
LeoneMauritania Gambia(Thousands of TEU)WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 80 - 
 
  cost €13.8/unit .61 On top of this, there is a  "customs shift " charge of €3.8, "damage fees " of 
€4.3/vehicle (and €6.1 for a TEU container), and the "bank guarantee letter " invoiced at €36.5 . An 
administrative fee of €16.8 is charged for each bill of lading, and any amendment to a manifest costs 
€27; bills of lading for imports are invoiced at 3 % of the value of the goods imported, with a 
minimum of €29 (on export : €16.9 per bill of lading) . In addition, where applicable, there  are 
additional "SGS 2 TEU pre -inspection " charges of €152 per container . A "refrigeration connection " 
costs €38/day . Finally, the security fee is €11/container . It was not possible to ascertain whether 
these rates had changed.  
4.4.1.4   Road transport  
4.129.   Guinea 's abil ity to develop its trade in goods and, in particular, to attract traffic from Mali 
and other landlocked countries, will depend to a large extent on the efforts made to upgrade and 
maintain its various road corridors ; and especially on simplification of the  customs regulations 
governing road transit (Section 3.1.3) . The road network currently covers 35,000 km, of which some 
15% are paved . The generally poor state of the roads means that they are hardly suited for transit 
purposes . There are frequent supply p roblems in Guinea 's interior . According to the authorities, the 
current priorities are, inter alia , organizing and developing road corridors to promote inter -State 
transport ; and computeriz ing the management of the country 's vehicle fleet and the system fo r 
issuing transport documents (driving licences, vehicle registration documents, transport 
authorizations, etc.).  
4.130.   A large proportion of road transport is provided by the informal sector, without any 
regulation. Goods transport with neighbouring countries i s regulated by the Inter -State Road 
Transport (ISRT) Convention. Since 2010, vehicle roadworthiness tests are mandatory in order to 
allow Guinean carriers to operate abroad. However, exclusive rights to conduct these roadworthiness 
checks were granted to a  single company (SIVITA), which failed to execute the service and is no 
longer in existence. At end 2017, mandatory  vehicle roadworthiness checks were liberalized by a 
new decree . 
4.131.   Guinea participates in the Improved Road Transport Governance Initiative on International 
Roads (IRTG), under the auspices of ECOWAS . The purpose of the IRTG is to lessen the number of 
random checks and the bribery which are the cause of long delays for lorries travelling through West 
Africa . According to the authorities, consider able progress has been made in eradicating the informal 
checkpoints set up on Guinea 's roads, and roadblocks are forbidden throughout Guinea.  
4.132.   As far as cross -border transport of goods is concerned, Guinea has not yet introduced the 
necessary mechanisms for  operation of the ISRT scheme envisaged in the relevant convention signed 
by the member countries of ECOWAS . Efforts are reportedly under way to bring the ISRT into effect.  
4.133.   Road transport services, as well as maintenance and repair of road transport equipm ent, are 
among the specific commitments made by Guinea under the GATS, without any special conditions 
on commercial presence as far as carriers of passengers are concerned, although prior approval by 
the Minister of Transport is required for those carrying  freight.62 
4.4.1.5   Rail transport  
4.134.   The railway network comprises one 662 -km public metric -gauge line between Conakry and 
Kankan, apparently being rebuilt in 2017 ; and three private lines belonging to mining companies . 
The National Railway Authority of Guinea (ONCFG) is responsible for public assets (buildings,  
locomotives, track) . The three private lines are:  
• the line operated by the Kindia Bauxite Company (CBK), which links the port of Conakry 
to the mining site at Débélé, and is 110  km long (1.4  m standard g auge);  
                                                
61 Using an exchange rate of GNF  10,000 per euro.  
62 WTO document  GATS/SC/102  of 30 August 1 995. WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 81 - 
  • the 140-km (metric gauge)  Friguia line  not currently in operation, which should be brought 
back into service and connect the ACG alumina plant to Conakry after its restoration in 
2018; and 
• the line operated by the Bauxite Company of Guinea (CBG), 13 5 km long, standard gauge, 
linking the mine at Sangaredi to the port of Kamsar.  
4.4.1.6   Air transport  
4.135.   Air transport activities are governed by Law No. L/2013/063/CNT of 5 November 2013 
containing the Civil Aviation Code of the Republic of Guinea, replacing a law f rom 1995.63 In 2017, 
the National Civil Aviation Directorate became the Civil Aviation Agency (AGAC).64 The Air Navigation 
Agency (ANA) retains responsibility for air navigation safety. The Roberts Flight Information 
Region  (FIR) manages Guinea's airspace, a gainst payment by the air transport companies of 
US$0.007/km travelled in the airspace. Guinea is a member of the International Air Transport 
Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).  
4.136.   Guinea has one international airport at Conakry and 14 airfields in the interior, four of which 
belong to mining companies, while the other 10 are not in use . Current installed capacity stands at 
800,000 passengers, and Conakry Airport carries an average of 300,000 passengers a year, 
includin g arrivals, departures and transit (Chart  4.8). 
Chart 4.8 International departures, 2011 -2017  
 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.137.   The airport is managed by the Conakry Airport Management and Ope ration Company 
(SOGEAC), which is the sole provider of all ground handling services. SOGEAC's capital is held by 
the State (51%), and the remainder by Aéroports de Paris (ADP) and the Chamber of Commerce of 
Bordeaux (France).  
4.138.   An aircraft may only be registered in Guinea if it is at least 51 % owned by one or more 
natural persons of Guinean nationality, or legal persons incorporated under Guinean law . Transport 
companies under Guinean law must have Guinean partners . There are a few Guinean air transport  
companies, all of them private . Derogations allowing a foreign enterprise to provide air transport 
                                                
63 Law No. L/95/024/CTRN of 2 June 1 995. 
64 Decree No. D /2017/048/PRG/SGG of 2 5 February 2 017 on th e establishment, duties, organization 
and operation of the Guinean Civil Aviation Authority (AGAC), Of ficial Journal No. 3, March 2017 . Viewed at:  
http://agac -guinee.org/wp -content/uploads/2017/04/DECRET -PORTANT -CREATION -ET-ATTRIBUTIONS -
ORGANISATION -ET-FONCTIO.pdf . 
137.8147.5142.1
90.5
13.8172.9
153.7
020406080100120140160180200
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017(Thousands)WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 82 - 
 
  services may be granted on an exceptional basis by the AGAC, under the terms laid down in the 
regulations . Applicants must submit a written application to t he Ministry responsible for civil aviation, 
attaching the company 's articles of incorporation and structure, and have a minimum capital of 
GNF 50 million  (around €5,000) . Professional flight crews in civil aviation must be of Guinean 
nationality, except wh ere temporary derogations are granted (Article IX).  
4.139.   Under Article VII of the new Code, business practices having the purpose o r effect of 
preventing, restricting or distorting competition in civil aviation are prohibited and liable to the 
sanctions foresee n in the prevailing rules governing competition in Guinea . These include practices 
that serve to limit market access or the free exercise of competition between enterprises ; or impede 
the determination of prices by free operation of the market, artificiall y pushing them up or down.  
4.140.   Guinea states that it applies the provisions of the 1988 Yamoussoukro Declaration, which 
liberalized airspace in the States Parties on a reciprocal basis . Foreign commercial presence and 
traffic rights granted to foreign companies flying to Guinea are also governed by bilateral 
agreements . Guinea has signed such agreements with some 40 countries . Since 2011, agreements 
have been concluded with Belgium (2015), Turkey (2016) and Rwanda (2016) . Older agreements 
generally cove r third and fourth air freedom rights, and do not give fifth freedom rights . Several new 
airlines have begun to serve Conakry Airport since 2011 . Companies operating there as at end 2017 
included Air France, ASKY, Brussels Airlines, Aigle Azur, Emirates, E thiopian Airlines, Transair, 
Tunisair and Turkish Airlines.  
4.4.2   Telecommunications and postal services  
4.4.2.1   Overview  
4.141.   The subsector comprises four mobile telephone companies (GSM) totalling 
11.1 million  subscribers at end June 2 017, compared with 4.3  million  at end 2010. They are MTN, 
Orange  Guinea, Cellcom and Intercel+ . Three of them also provide 3G data services . In 2017, the 
market also included four Internet service providers (ISPs) . The slight fall in relation to 2015 
(Table  4.7) is explained by the deletion of  unidentified customers from the operators ' databases .65 
The incumbent operator SOTELGUI, the sole company licensed for fixed telephony, went into 
receivership in 2012, and ceased operating its network in 2014 . In 2017, Guinea Telecom took over 
the assets o f the then dissolved SOTELGUI, with State participation .66 On the basis of available data, 
the number of Internet users rose from 30,000 at end 2010 to 2.4  million  at end  2015, and the 
percentage of the population with Internet access has quadrupled since 2013.  
Table 4.7 Telecommunication indicators, 2011 -2016  
 
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Exports of services (US$ million)  32.65  49.15  63.62  66,63  78.24  n.a. 
Imports of services (US$ million)  10.55  9.85 10.69  10,12  9.19 9.02 
Percentage of individuals using the 
Internet  0.6 1.3 8.2 20,2 22.4 32.2 
Number of mobile telephone subscribers 
(thousands)  5,364  5,587  7,536  9,750  10,765  10,712  
Mobile -cellula r telephone subscribers 
per 100  inhabitants  49.4 49.9 65.3 85.5 99.1 97 
Number of Internet subscribers 
(thousands)  68 143 945 2,147  2,438  3,597  
Fixed -telephone subscriptions per 100 
inhabitants  0.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat, on the basis of data provided by the Post and Telecommunication Regulatory 
Authority ( ARPT).  
                                                
65 Post and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (ARPT), 2016 Annual Report . Viewed at: 
http://www.arpt.gov.gn/sites/default/files/Documentation/rapport_annuel_arpt_2016.pdf . 
66 Decree No. D /2014/199/PRG/SGG establishing the National Backbone Management Company 
(SOG EB). WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 83 - 
  4.142.   In August 2012, the Guinean broadband company Guinéenne de large bande  (GUILAB) was 
created to manage capacity allocated to Guinea on the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine 
cable.67 Work on the project to equip the country with optical fibre was launched in 2014, for an 
anticipated 4,000 km of cable; together with a legislative framework to manage optical fibre. The 
national optical fibre backbone, with 3,700 km of cable as at December 2017, is managed b y the 
(entirely State -owned) (SOGEB), set up in 2014 to manage the last kilometre. Capacity 
(international bandwidth) for access to the global Internet has thus improved  significantly.  
4.143.   Since 2015, Internet access in Guinea is either by satellite or through  the GUILAB connection 
to the submarine cable . GUILAB is a public -private partnership in which the State has a 52 % stake, 
the rest being shared among private operators . It only supplies capacity to large operators, not to 
the public . It represents the comm on interests of its shareholders in dealings with the 
ACE Consortium . It provides infrastructures to telecommunication operators and ISPs that require a 
broadband connection . The total capacity of the ACE cable is 40  Gbit/s . Through GUILAB, the State 
is committed to respecting the principle of open access for all licensed telecom operators . The 
shareholders undertake to give any interested third party equitable right of access to capacity on 
the cable through lease or usage rights.  
4.4.2.2   Regulation  
4.144.   In August 2 015, Law No. 2015/018/AN was adopted and promulgated, on 
telecommunications and information technologies, which transposes the ECOWAS supplementary 
acts into national law .68 The following regulatory implementing decrees have been issued:  
• Decree No. 328 of 1 4 November 2 016 on the organization and operation of the 
National  Council for the Digital Agenda;  
• Decree No.  329 of 1 4 November 2 016 on the operation of the National Council on ICTs for 
All; 
• Decree No.  264 of 2 9 August 2 016 on the establishment, operation, organization and 
functions of the Research and Training Fund (FRF);  
• Decree No.  265 of 2 9 August 2 016 on the establishment and operation of the National 
Agency on Electronic Governance and State Information Technology (ANGEIE);  
• Decree No.  266 of 2 9 August 2 016 on the establishment and operation of the National 
Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI);  
• Decree No.  268 of 1 6 October 2 017 on rules governing technical and administrative 
management of the national Internet domain (.gn) ; and 
• Joint Order No.  4769 of 6 October 2 015 on rates for duties, operating fees and 
type-approval fees for certain telecommunication/ICT and postal equipment and facilities.  
4.145.   Moreover, two further laws were passed in 2016, on electronic transactions and on 
cybersecurity and persona l data privacy protection .69 In December 2 014, the arrangements 
governing the implementation of universal access and digital solidarity were defined.70 
Law No. L/2015/002/AN instituting a telephone consumption tax (TCT) (see below) was promulgated 
in March 2 015. 
                                                
67 Decree No. D /2012/101/PRG/SGG of 2 8 August 2 012. 
68 Law No.  2015/018/AN on telecommunications and information technologies was adopted in 2015 . 
Viewed at: http://www.arpt.gov.gn/reglementation/lois -et-ordonnances . 
69 Laws Nos. L /2016/035/AN and L/2016/037/AN . Viewed at: 
http:/ /www.arpt.gov.gn/sites/default/files/Documentation/loi_l -2016-035-
an_relative_aux_transactions_electroniques.pdf ; and 
http://www.arpt.gov.gn/sites/default/files/Documentation/loi_l2016037an_relative_a_la_cybersecurite_et_prot
ection_des_do.pdf . 
70 Decree No. D /2014/252/PRG/SGG of 1 2 December 2 014. WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.146.   The Post and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (ARPT) has been the regulator since 
2008, and maintains a regularly updated website where the principal legislative and regulatory texts 
can be viewed.71 The ARPT comes under the Ministry responsible for telecommunications, posts and 
the digital economy, which is the ministry currently in charge of the subsector.72 It enjoys full 
financial autonomy, but its executives are appointed by the President of the R epublic. The new law 
sets up a five -member National Regulatory Council, under the ARPT.  
4.147.   The new legal framework continues to provide for several distinct regimes : a regime for 
licences, required to operate a public network, for instance ; an authorization r egime (for example, 
for networks not open to the public) ; a type-approval regime for equipment and installations ; a 
declaration regime for the supply of value -added services ; and a free regime (for example, for 
internal networks) . The new law obliges all operators to take out a global licence (data and GSM).  
4.148.   The following require a licence issued by the Ministry responsible for telecommunications : 
establishment and/or operation of the public telecommunication service network, or an independent 
network usin g public domains and radio systems ; and Internet service providers . Licences are 
granted by the responsible Ministry, after applications have been examined by the ARPT, and are 
published in an order . Licences must be accompanied by terms and conditions sti pulating the 
licence  holder 's rights and obligations, applied in a strictly identical manner to all operators holding 
a licence within the same category.  
4.149.   The establishment and operation of an independent network using the public domain but not 
using radio systems require authorization from the ARPT, as do the construction and operation of 
wireless networks and the provision of services not open to the public.  
4.150.   The following require approval : wireless installations ; certain terminal equipment to be 
connected to the public telecommunication network ; and telecommunication equipment installations 
for internal networks . The approval is issued by the ARPT, in accordance with the procedures it has 
laid down . The operators concerned are responsible for repairs to the  network . A National 
Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI) was set up in 2016.  
4.151.   The new law provides that the content of universal service is to be defined by the Ministry 
following a proposal by the ARPT, but this had not yet been done by the beginni ng of 
December  2017. A universal service and digital solidarity (FSU -SN) policy and strategy has not yet 
been finalized . Nevertheless, the ARPT has continued to collect universal service contributions from 
operators . Decree No. D /2014/252/PRG/SGG of 1 2 Dec ember 2 014 lays down the arrangements for 
implementing universal access to electronic communications in Guinea.  
4.152.   Telecommunication service prices are proposed by the operators and require approval by 
the ARPT . Any proposal by a company to modify the tariff (price) must be substantiated . In 
May 2010, three mobile telecommunication companies decided to increase and harmonize their 
tariffs, following which a complaint was filed against them for abuse of dominant position . There 
have been no further cases of thi s nature since.  
4.153.   The law contains an interconnection obligation and an instruction to the effect that 
interconnection service tariffs shall be cost -oriented . Operators must publish their interconnection 
price schedules, following approval by the ARPT . The latter may intervene if needed to settle conflicts 
and disputes and/or,  where appropriate , to revise interconnection agreements, taking into account 
the interests of users.  
4.154.   A series of charges are levied in the sector, some of them new:  
• Value added tax , introduced in 1995  at the rate of 18 %, was increased to 20 % in 2016 
and then brought back down to 18 % in 2017;  
                                                
71 Online information from the ARPT , viewed at: http://www.arptguinee.org . 
72 The Ministry does not appear to have a website . Its duties are laid down in a decree of 2008 viewed 
on the government portal . Viewed at: http://www.guinee.gov.gn/ liredecret.php?id=30 . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 85 - 
  • A telephone network access tax (TARTEL) was introduced in January 2 015, payable by 
operators in the amount of 3 % of their turnover;  
• The telephone co nsumption tax (TCT), applicable since June 2 01573, of GNF 1 per second 
of fixed and mobile telephone calls, whether domestic or international, interconnection 
and roaming (see aforementioned Order No. 2875 of 9 June 2 015, on the TCT);  
• The interconnection charge, payable to the Regulatory Authority, was revised74;  
• The TCT was extended to apply to SMS (GNF 10, equivalent to US$0.0013) and to Internet 
contracts (5 % of the contract price) by th e Finance Law of 2016 . According to the 
authorities, this prompted a sharp fall in SMS traffic in 2016;  and 
• The tax on incoming international traffic also remains in place, at US$0.28, payable by the 
foreign operator to the local operator.75 
4.155.   Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d 'Ivoire and Sierra Leone signed a  
memorandum of understanding in Abidjan on 2 8 November 2 016 for the implementation of free 
roaming between their respective countries . This has been implemented between Guinea, Senegal, 
Mali, Togo and Burkina Faso since 3 1 March 2 017. The first 300 minutes  of calls are billed at the 
tariff prevailing in the user 's place of residence (or subscription) when he/she is roaming in one of 
the other countries, for a period of 30 calendar days . For SMS, too, the roaming subscriber  pays the 
tariff applicable in his/ her place of residence.  
4.156.   According to the authorities, "mobile money " is widely used, especially for money transfers 
in Guinea . Beyond the aforementioned law on electronic transactions and the law on cybersecurity 
and data protection, there is as yet no spe cific regulation on mobile money . However, since 2017 
there is a new law for the BCRG which henceforth incorporates provisions on e -money businesses.  
4.157.   Guinea did not undertake any specific commitments in regard to telecommunication services 
under the GATS a nd did not take part in the WTO negotiations on basic telecommunication services, 
which concluded in 1997 . It did not make any market access offer in the Doha Round of negotiations.  
4.4.2.3   Postal services  
4.158.   Guinea 's postal sector comprises, on the one hand, the Gui nean Post Office (OPG), a 
State -owned industrial and commercial entity under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and 
the Digital Economy, with autonomous administrative and financial management; and, on the other 
hand, numerous Guinean and foreign pr ivate operators (such as DHL, TNT, Bolloré Logistique, UPS, 
Moka Express, Nimba Plus, SF -Transit, etc.). A new  law on postal services came into effect in 2016, 
replacing the Law of 2005 .76 The new law opened up Guinea 's postal market to greater competition,  
except for activities reserved for the operator in charge of the universal postal service, namely : 
ordinary (non -express) national and international mail weighing less than 1  kg; domestic express 
mail items of 1  kg or less stamped at five times the basic weight rate ; direct mail ; and services 
relating to registered and insured mail . As universal service provider, the OPG is the sole entity 
responsible for issuing stamps ; postal securities ; postal cheques ; and the savings fund (suspended 
since 1979, but restored under the new law).  
4.159.   The new law provides for two legal regimes for the development or operation of postal 
activities or services, namely : concession agreement – applicable to any operator responsible for 
the universal postal service ; and licence – applicable to any other operator.  
                                                
73 Law No. L/2015/002/AN of 20 March 2 015, Joint Order No.  2875 of 9 June 2 015 and MPTNTI Order 
No. 5887 of 3 November 2 015. 
74 Order No.  2162 of 3 0 June 2 017 on the interconnection charge for telecommunication operators in the 
Republic of Guinea.  
75 Order No.  1135 of 2 8 May 2 010 setti ng the international tariff for calls to the Republic of Guinea and 
the shares to be paid to the ARPT and to local public telecommunication network operators.  
76 Law No. L/2016/036/AN on the postal service . Viewed at: 
http://www.arpt.gov.gn/reglementation/lois -et-ordonnances . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.160.   The new law establishes a universal postal service fund, financed by a levy of up to 2 % of 
the turnover of postal operators incorporated in the Republic of Guinea (except the operator 
designated as being responsible for t he universal postal service), collected by the ARPT.  
4.4.3   Financial services  
4.4.3.1   Overview  
4.161.   The indicators compiled by the IMF (Table  4.8) suggest an increase in banking penetration 
in the national economy, attributable in particular to the strong progression of mobi le money transfer 
services since 2012.  
Table 4.8 Financial services, 2011 -2016  
 
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Commercial bank services       
 
Branches per 100,000 adults  1.4 1.6 1.6 2.2 2.3 n.a. 
Automated teller machines (ATMs) per 1,000 km2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 n.a. 
Depositors per 1,000 adults  48.9 56.3 58.5 65.3 70.5 n.a. 
Mobile money accounts : active per 1,000 adults  0.0 0.0 1.0 5.0 5.7 n.a. 
Outstanding deposits with banks (% of GDP)  13.9 12.3 19.8 21.5 23.8 n.a. 
Loan accounts per 1,000 adults  10.8 13.1 16.9 14.1 13.7 n.a. 
Insurance coverage       
n.a. 
Policy holders with insurance companies  71,211  88,230  98,687  83,346  84,668  n.a. 
of which life insurance  18,093  29,027  41,543  31,575  31,402  n.a. 
of which non -life insurance  53,118  59,203  57,144  51,771  53,266  n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  IMF Financial Access Survey (FAS).  
4.4.3.2   Banking system  
4.162.   According to the activity report of the Directorate of Bank Supervision, deposits within the 
banking system reached GNF  12,280  billion  (around US$1.4  billion ) in 2016, as compared with 
GNF 9,600  billion  in 2009 . In 2017, the banking system comprised 16 approved banks in operation . 
These banks associate Guinean and foreign private partners alongside French and Af rican banking 
groups . Three banks together accounted for 57 % of loans at end 2016, namely:  
• ECOBANK;  
• General Banking Company of Guinea (Société générale de banques en Guinée) ; and 
• International Bank for Trade and Industry of Guinea (BICIGUI).  
4.163.   Four new banks  have been approved since 2011, while three have closed down. In addition, 
the African Bank for Agricultural and Mining Development (BADAM), in which the State held a 
30% stake in 2011, went into provisional receivership in 2011 as a result of poor managem ent and 
breaches of banking regulations. The other banks in which the State has a holding are the 
International Bank for Trade and Industry of Guinea (BICIGUI), the Sahel -Sahara Bank for 
Investment and Trade (BSIC) and the Morocco -Guinean People's Bank (BP MG). 
4.164.   In 2013, a new Banking Law replaced the 2005 version, with the aim of improving the 
governance of banking establishments and customer protection .77 The statutes of the Central Bank 
of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG) were also amended . Hitherto, an ordinance of 2009 had placed 
the BCRG under the direct authority of the President of the Republic ; and the BCRG had been under 
the obligation to finance a share of public spending .78 The new provisions capped the 
BCRG 's advances to the Government at 5 % of the annual average of ordinary public revenues over 
the three previous financial years . Guinea 's adoption of the Basel II solvency standard was still in 
progress in December 2 017. 
                                                
77 Law No. L/2005/010/AN adopting and enactin g the Law regulating loan establishments in Guinea . 
Viewed at: http://bcrg -guinee .org/supervision1.aspx . 
78 The Ordinance which provided that the Central Bank may discount, purchase or accept government 
bonds and securities and portfolio investment issued or guaranteed by the State is no longer in force.  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 87 - 
  4.165.   Prior authorization from the BCRG 's Approvals Committee is still required in order to create 
a loan institution or to modify its legal status or make any modification leading to a change that 
exceeds 10 % of its capital . Transfer of over 20 % of a bank 's assets also requires prior authorization 
from the Committee.  
4.166.   Both Guinean nation als and foreigners may open a bank in Guinea . If the applicant is 
controlled by a foreign bank, approval requires endorsement by the supervisory authority in the 
country of origin, provided that this authority exercises supervision on a consolidated basis at the 
global level . The Approvals Committee takes its decision within six months of the date of receipt of 
the documents constituting the application for approval . Unless a waiver is obtained, only Guinean 
nationals may be directors, administrators or man agers of a loan institution, unless the foreign 
person benefits from provisions allowing reciprocity under an agreement signed between his or her 
country of origin and Guinea . Quite a few derogations are apparently granted .79 The law also imposes 
an obligat ion of residence for Chairs of governing bodies . The Banking Law (Article 51) requires 
banks to be incorporated a s closed -end limited liability companies with fixed capital or a s open-end 
cooperative or mutual companies with variable capital . Under the Ban king Law, any loan institution 
must, within the month following approval, join the Professional Association of Loan Institutions of 
Guinea.80 
4.167.   In 2014, the regulatory minimum capital requirement for banks was increased from 
GNF 50 billion  to GNF  100 billion  (around €10  million ), with a g race period of two years (until  2016) 
to achieve compliance . At end 2016, two banks had not yet met this regulatory minimum capital 
requirement.  
4.168.   The tax on financial activities (TAF) applies to banking and financial services w hich are 
exempt from VAT . The rate is 5 % for loans with a term exceeding one year and 13 % for other 
operations . The BCRG does not keep statistics on the evolution of bank interest rates.  
4.169.   In addition to its central bank functions, the BCRG engages in gold -purchasing operations 
and provides assistance to diamond agencies and exporters of precious stones.  
4.170.   In November 2 012, the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in 
West Africa (GIABA), of which Guinea is a member, published a mutual evalua tion report.81 The new 
Banking Law prohibits the granting of approval to shell banks on Guinean national territory and 
prohibits Guinean financial institutions from entering into business relations with a shell bank 
(Article  31.5).  
4.4.3.3   Microfinance  
4.171.   The number o f microfinance institutions climbed from 10 to 22 between 2009 and 2016, 
with an aggregate deposit and loan balance of GNF 281 and GNF 415 billion, respectively, in 2016 
(around US$31 and 46 million), a sharp increase over 2010 (GNF 40 and GNF 65 billion),  and close 
to 531,000 clients. The Guinean Rural Credit Bank, set up in 1988 with the support of the 
French  Development Agency (AFD) alone accounts  for 55 % of deposits in 2016.  
4.172.   In July 2 017, the National Assembly adopted a new Law on inclusive financial in stitutions in 
the Republic of Guinea, modernizing the legislation of 200582 on microfinance institutions and 
incorporating postal finance services .83 The new law notably provides for reintroducing postal finance 
services and electronic money transfers (mobil e money) . A microfinance institution must, within 
three months after its approval or authorization, join the Professional Association of Microfinance 
Institutions of Guinea (APIMG). In addition, the National Microfinance Agency (ANAMIF) handles the 
promoti on of microfinance.  
                                                
79 Activities Report of the Direc torate of Bank Supervision, 2015.  
80 This association does not appear to have a website.  
81 Online information v iewed at: http://www.giaba.org/media/f/506_fre -rem. 
82 Law No.  l/2005/020/AN on microfinance organizes the profession by laying down the conditions  
governing the exercise of microfinance activities, organization, and the granting and withdrawal of approval.  
83 Online information v iewed at: http://guinee7.com/2017/07/09/la -guinee -se-dote-dune-loi-sur-les-
institutions -financieres -inclusives/#vkJOT9kv28ozQVhW.99 . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  4.4.3.4   Insurance services  
4.173.    Guinea 's insurance market experienced strong nominal growth in 2016, yet still remains 
very limited, at around €3 of annual insurance spending per capita, or 0.42 % of GDP - which is well 
below the African average (2. 8%).84 Life and non -life insurance represent, respectively, 23 % and 
77% of total market turnover (which is GNF  316 billion , or around €300  million ). There were 
16 insurance companies operating in 2016, with a high degree of concentration : the three  main 
companies account for 71 % of total turnover . There were also 62 intermediaries on the market in 
2016, of which 39 were brokers and 23 general agents, grouped within the Professional Association 
of Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers . There is no established reinsurance co mpany in  Guinea.  
4.174.   The 1995 Code was amended in 2016 .85 This reform introduced new provisions, in particular 
in relation to bancassurance, micro -insurance, combating money laundering and combating the 
funding of terrorism . The revision provides for risk -based supervision . The BCRG is responsible for 
the prudential supervision of insurance companies . Insurance brokers or agents must be of Guinean 
nationality, or citizens of a State that grants reciprocity in insurance services (Article 342).  
4.175.   Local enterprises, including importers established on the national territory, are, in principle, 
required to take out their insurance policies (damage, civil liability) with local companies (Article  6 
of the Code) and in Guinean francs (Article  7). The Code set s the maximum rate for assignment of 
premiums at 50 % (Article  381), except for the maritime, air and rail transport branches . According 
to the BCRG, local insurance companies assigned 23 % of premiums invoiced in 2016 to foreign 
reinsurers . In practice, the  BCRG often signs off on derogations allowing the totality of the insurance 
to be abroad, especially in the case of large risks . The Code does not permit Guinean insurance 
companies to underwrite risks abroad.  
4.176.   Not more than 55 % of the capital of an insuran ce company under Guinean law may be in 
foreign hands (Article  231). Its board of directors must also meet Guinean nationality conditions 
(Articles  388-9). All companies are free to operate in all areas, provided that their products are 
approved by the BCRG . However, since the 2016 reform, life and non -life insurance may no longer 
be provided by the same company . Since September 2 010, the minimum capital has been set at 
GNF 10 billion  (€1 million ) if the insurance company is incorporated as a public limited company, 
and GNF  3 billion  (€300,000) if it is a mutual company.86 
4.177.   Motor vehicle civil liability insurance is compulsory ; as is transport insurance for imports, 
even though the certificate is not demanded in practice . Nonetheless, a sum of 5 % is added to the 
customs value of imports in order to take into account the cost of insuring the imported goods.87 
4.178.   The minimum civil liability insurance premiums for vehicles are set by the Professional 
Association of Insurers of Guinea, and are subject to the prior opinion of the BCRG. As a result, 
premiums may vary from one company to another. Prices are set freely by the companies.  
4.4.4   Tourism and crafts  
4.4.4.1   Tourism  
4.179.   Although Guinea boasts exceptional natural assets, in 2015 only 35,000 non -residents 
visited . The political crisis of 2009 -2010, followed by the Ebola epidemic, go a long way to explaining 
the slump in the number of visitors to Guinea since 2011 (Table  4.9). In 2015, Guinea had 
410 hotels, offering a capacity of around 1,750 rooms.  
                                                
84 Federation of African National Insurance Companies (FANAF) (2016).  
85 Law No. L/94/018/CTRN of 1 June 1994 containing  the Insurance Code was replaced by Law 
No. L/2016/034/AN containing  the Insurance Code of the Republic of Guinea.  
86 Decision No. D /014/CAM/REA on raising the minimum registered capital for public limited mutual 
insurance companies and initi al funds for mutual insurance companies of 2 1 September 2010.  
87 Online information from Guinea Customs , viewed at: http://douanesguinee.gov.gn/tarifs/ . WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
- 89 - 
  Table 4.9 Guinea inbound tourism indicators, 2011 -2015  
(Thousands)  
Base data and indicators  Units  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Total overnight visitors1 ('000)  131 96 56 33 35 
- For personal reasons (holidays, etc.)  ('000)  76 58 28 17 17 
- For business and professional reasons  ('000)  55 38 29 16 18 
Arrivals by air  ('000)  131 96 56 33 35 
Accommodation        
Total nights2,3 ('000)  5,581  3,306  8 523  4,318  2,681  
Hotel nights2 ('000)  1,302  1,145  1,829  333 1,840  
Number of hotels for  visitors  Units 376 376 378 380 410 
Inbound tourists/population  Units 0.01 0.01 0.005  0.003  0.003  
Notes:  (1) Arrivals by air at Conakry Airport ; (2) Non-residents in hotels, all categories . The data stem from 
the length of stay in hotels declared by visitors on the embarkation/disembarkation (E/D) cards on 
their arrival at the airport (undeclared stay durations are not included) ; (3) Including private 
accommodation . 
Source:  World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Compendium of tourism statistics 2011 -2015, 2017 edition.  
4.180.   The Ministry of Hotel Services, Tourism and Crafts is responsible for regulating and 
developing the sector. According to the Ministry, Guinea's entire tourism policy was under review in 
2017. Hotel and restaurant services and tourist guide services were the subject of specific 
commitments by Guinea under the GATS.88 The Schedule specifies that only foreign hotel managers 
and senior technical experts are allowed, but does not lay down any other conditions for commercial 
presence. The tax on ho tel services is GNF 10,000 per hotel night. Guinea has been a member of 
the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1985. Together with nine other countries in the 
region, it takes part in the project to develop sustainable tourism in cross -border parks a nd protected 
areas in West Africa.89 
4.4.4.2   Crafts  
4.181.   Promotion of crafts, under the responsibility of the Ministry responsible for tourism, was 
enshrined in the Crafts Code of 1998 and in the Crafts Development Policy Letter in 2003. These 
documents are reportedly u nder review. The National Crafts Promotion Board, set up in 2011, is 
tasked with carrying out activities to promote crafts, but lacks financial resources to fulfil its 
mandate. It is responsible, inter alia , for working to promote craft products on the int ernational 
market, and for issuing certificates of origin for products; but no certificates have been issued. 
Guinea is a member of the Coordination Committee for the Development and Promotion of African 
Handicrafts (CODEPA).  
4.4.5   Professional and business serv ices 
4.182.   Trade in professional and business services is largely based on the movement of natural 
persons - mode 4 in the modes of supply of services envisaged by the GATS .90 In terms of Guinea 's 
openness to foreign workers, Guinea 's Labour Code treats citizens of ECOWAS member States in the 
same way as Guinean workers .91 By contrast , an employer planning to hire a foreign worker who is 
not an ECOWAS national must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry responsible for 
employment . The authorities have indicat ed that the hiring of foreign workers is governed by a 
special regulation ; and that the duration of a work contract concluded with a foreign worker may 
not exceed four years, including any renewals.  
4.183.   The number of accountants in 2017 was 62, 41 being natura l persons and 21 legal persons . 
They are governed by Ordinance No.  42/PRG/SG of 2 5 February 1 985, on the Order of Chartered 
Accountants and Approved Accountants, under the Ministry of the Economy and Finance . Order 
No. A/95/3094 is the implementing text fo r this Ordinance that regulates the profession of chartered 
accountant and approved accountant . No one may exercise the profession of chartered accountant 
without being already registered or holding an attestation of registration in the register of the Ord er 
                                                
88 WTO document GATS/SC/102  of 30 August 1 995. 
89 Online information viewed at: http://africa.unwto.org . 
90 The four modes are : cross-border supply (mode 1), consumption abroad (mode  2), commercial 
presence (mode 3), and presence of natural persons (mode 4).  
91 Labour Code . Viewed at: http://images.mofcom.gov.cn/gn/201702/20170211004408568.pdf . WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
- 90 - 
 
  of Chartered Accountants and Approved Accountants, pursuant to Article  4 of that Order . Only 
chartered accountants duly registered in the register of the Order may exercise the profession of 
auditor . The Order of Chartered Accountants and Approved Accou ntants fulfils the function of 
self-regulation of the sector.  
4.184.   Services supplied by lawyers are governed by Law No.  2004/014/AN of 2 6 May 2 004 on 
organization of the profession of lawyer in Guinea, and are overseen by the Ministry of Justice . In 
2017, 213 lawyers were registered with the Bar Association, chaired by a President of the Bar elected 
from among the lawyers who have been on the Bar register for ten years, for a two -year term 
renewable only once . The Order acts as the body for self -regulation of the profession . Services 
provided by notaries are governed by Law No. L/93/003/CTRN of 1 8 February 1 993 laying down the 
statutes of the profession of notary . There are 18 notaries in Guinea . Notaries are overseen by the 
Ministry of Justice and t he Chamber of Notaries.  
 
 
 WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table  A1. 1 Structure of exports , 2011 -2015  
(US$ million and % )  
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
World  (US$ million ) 1,731.6 2,174.1 1,780.5 1,946.7 1,573.7  
(percentage share ) 
Total primary products  41.3 24.6 29.4 36.2 43.4 
Agriculture  3.9 14.9 2.9 4.7 6.5 
 Food 2.4 1.2 1.6 3.0 4.5 
 0577 - Edible nuts, fresh or dried  0.7 0.2 0.6 1.6 1.5 
 0721 - Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted  0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3 1.2 
 0711 - Coffee, not roasted  0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.5 
 0341 - Fish, fresh or chilled  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 
 0342 - Fish, frozen  0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 
 0712 - Coffee, roasted  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 
 Agricultural raw materials  1.5 13.7 1.3 1.7 2.0 
 2312 - Natural rubber (other than latex)  1.2 13.5 1.2 1.4 1.7 
 2631 - Cotton (other than linters), not carded or combed  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
 2484 - Wood of non -coniferous species  0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 
Mining  37.3 9.7 26.6 31.4 36.9 
 Ores and other minerals  36.4 4.5 25.9 30.9 36.7 
 2851 - Aluminium ores and concentrates  26.5 2.0 24.3 30.2 36.6 
 Non-ferrous metals  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Fuels 1.0 5.3 0.7 0.5 0.2 
Manufactures  12.8 10.6 17.5 13.7 16.3 
Iron and steel  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Chemicals  0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 
Other semi -manufactures  2.1 1.9 0.6 1.5 0.2 
Machinery and transport equipment  5.4 3.4 4.5 1.6 7.4 
 Power -generating machinery  1.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.5 
 7165 - Generating sets  1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 
 Other non -electrical machinery  1.3 2.5 2.2 0.8 0.6 
 Agricultural machinery and tractors  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 
 Office machines and telecommunications equipment  1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Other electrical machinery  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
 Automotive products  1.2 0.6 0.9 0.2 0.7 
 7822 - Special -purpose motor vehicles  0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 
 7812 - Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, n.e.s . 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 
 7821 - Motor vehicles for the transport of goods  1.1 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.2 
 Other transport equipment  0.2 0.2 1.3 0.4 5.5 
 7935 - Light vessels, fire-floats , etc. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.1 
Textiles  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Articles of apparel  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Other consumer goods  4.9 5.1 12.2 10.5 8.5 
 8928 - Printed matter, n.e.s.  4.2 4.3 11.3 9.6 7.6 
 8931 - Articles for the conveyance or packing of  goods,  
of plastics  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 
 8933 - Floor coverings, wall or ceiling coverings  0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 
Other  46.0 64.8 53.0 50.1 40.3 
 9710 - Gold, non -monetary  45.9 64.7 52.9 50.0 40.1 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD  Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3) ; and 
United Nations , ITC TradeMap.  
  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  Table  A1. 2 Destination of exports , 2011 -2015  
(US$ million and % )  
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
World  (US$ million ) 1,731.6 2,174.1 1,780.5 1,946.7 1,573.7  
(percentage share ) 
America  7.6 1.3 6.2 8.2 8.2 
 United States  4.5 1.1 4.2 5.6 5.4 
 Other America  3.1 0.2 2.1 2.6 2.8 
 Canada  3.1 0.0 1.9 2.6 2.8 
Europe  69.3 78.8 71.0 29.2 32.1 
 EU-28 47.6 51.8 45.0 23.7 30.2 
 Spain  6.4 0.2 6.0 7.0 8.6 
 Germany  3.6 0.2 2.9 4.8 7.3 
 Ireland  4.9 5.5 4.0 4.7 6.3 
 France  28.6 24.8 29.6 4.8 5.7 
 Belgium 2.8 16.6 1.5 1.5 0.9 
 Netherlands  0.5 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.5 
 Italy 0.4 3.9 0.1 0.2 0.4 
 EFTA 21.6 26.9 25.7 5.5 1.7 
 Switzerland  21.6 26.9 25.7 5.5 1.7 
 Other Europe  0.2 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS ) 11.3 3.9 2.7 2.1 3.1 
 Ukraine  2.3 2.0 2.7 2.1 3.1 
Africa 5.6 8.2 5.3 23.8 26.7 
 Ghana  0.0 0.1 0.1 21.8 22.0 
 Mali 3.0 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.5 
 Swaziland  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 
 Senegal 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.6 
 Sierra Leone  0.4 5.1 0.9 0.3 0.3 
Middle East  4.5 6.7 8.8 21.1 10.4 
 United Arab Emirates  3.3 5.8 8.3 20.0 9.9 
 Iran 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.4 
Asia 1.7 1.2 5.9 15.5 19.5 
 China 0.4 0.3 2.4 1.4 1.8 
 Japan 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Other Asia  1.4 0.9 3.5 14.1 17.7 
 India 0.8 0.3 2.4 12.9 16.4 
 Viet Nam  0.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.5 
 Malaysia 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3); and 
United Nations, ITC TradeMap . 
  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  Table  A1. 3 Structure of imports , 2011 -2015  
(US$ million and % )  
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
World (US$ million)  1,911.8 2,068.5 2,401.0 2,509.2 2,138.6  
(percentage share ) 
Total primary products  45.4 36.8 52.9 57.9 40.6 
 Agriculture  21.0 20.3 22.0 25.8 25.0 
 Food 20.4 19.4 21.6 25.3 23.4 
 0423 - Rice, semi -milled  8.2 6.9 6.6 7.0 8.5 
 0612 - Other beet or cane sugar  1.4 1.0 1.5 2.3 2.2 
 0422 - Rice, husked but not further prepared  1.2 2.1 3.3 4.4 2.2 
 4222 - Palm oil and its fractions  0.9 0.8 1.4 1.4 1.9 
 1222 - Cigarettes containing tobacco  1.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.6 
 0461 - Flour of wheat or of meslin  2.5 3.3 3.1 3.1 1.0 
 Agricultural raw materials  0.5 0.8 0.4 0.4 1.6 
 2690 - Worn clothing and other worn  textile articles; rags  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.6 
 Mining  24.5 16.5 30.8 32.1 15.5 
 Ores and other minerals  0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 
 Non-ferrous metals  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
 Fuels 24.3 16.3 30.5 31.6 15.1 
Manufactures  54.3 62.6 46.8 41.7 58.9 
 Iron and steel  1.8 2.3 2.6 2.4 3.0 
 Chemicals  8.5 9.4 8.9 8.4 10.8 
 5429 - Medicaments, n.e.s . 2.9 3.0 3.2 3.1 4.9 
 Other semi -manufactures  8.9 9.5 8.5 6.6 7.8 
 6612 - Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, 
supersulphate cement and similar hydraulic 
cements  2.3 2.9 2.3 1.1 1.3 
 6624 - Bricks, tiles, pipes and similar products  0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.9 
 6911 - Structures and parts of structures  0.6 0.9 1.2 0.8 0.9 
 Machinery and transport equipment  29.3 35.1 20.6 18.7 30.1 
 Power -generating machinery  1.3 2.6 2.0 1.2 1.9 
 7165 - Generating sets  0.8 1.5 1.4 0.7 1.2 
 Other non -electrical machinery  15.1 17.6 7.3 5.1 9.5 
 7239 - Parts 4.7 6.7 2.3 1.8 1.5 
 7232 - Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel -
loaders  2.2 2.7 0.2 0.3 1.2 
 7443 - Ships' derricks; cranes (including cable cranes)  0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.0 
 7231 - Bulldozers, angledozers , etc. 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.0 1.0 
 Agricultural machinery and tractors  0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 
 Office machines and telecommunications equipment  2.6 2.5 2.8 3.2 1.1 
 Other electrical machinery  2.1 3.3 3.3 4.6 3.4 
 Automotive products  6.1 7.0 2.6 2.9 6.4 
 7812 - Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, n.e.s . 2.6 3.0 1.4 1.7 3.1 
 7821 - Motor vehicles for the transport of goods  1.4 1.7 0.3 0.4 1.4 
 Other transport equipment  2.1 2.1 2.5 1.8 7.9 
 7935 - Light vessels, fire -floats , etc. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 3.9 
 Textiles  0.9 1.0 2.2 1.0 1.3 
 Articles of apparel  0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.7 
 Other consumer goods  4.5 4.8 3.7 4.1 5.2 
Other  0.3 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.6 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3); and 
United Nations, ITC TradeMap . 
  WT/T PR/S/370/Rev.1 • Guinea  
 
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  Table  A1. 4 Origin of imports , 2011 -2015  
(US$ million and % )  
2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
World (US$ million)  1,911.8 2,068.5 2,401.0 2,509.2 2,138.6  
(percentage share ) 
America  7.6 5.8 5.2 4.3 4.9 
 United States  4.5 3.7 3.0 1.8 2.7 
 Other America  3.2 2.1 2.2 2.5 2.2 
 Brazil  2.0 1.0 1.2 1.8 1.7 
Europe  48.6 42.7 51.5 47.8 40.5 
 EU-28 47.2 40.8 49.1 46.0 38.1 
 Netherlands  17.9 14.7 30.5 30.7 13.4 
 Belgium  7.4 6.5 3.5 3.6 8.1 
 France  7.2 8.0 6.5 5.4 6.7 
 Germany  0.7 1.3 1.6 1.2 1.7 
 Spain  0.7 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.6 
 Italy 1.6 2.0 1.0 1.1 1.4 
 Portugal  2.0 1.6 0.2 0.2 1.1 
 Slovenia  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 
 EFTA 0.2 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.7 
 Other Europe  1.2 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.7 
 Turkey  1.2 1.3 1.7 1.4 1.7 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS ) 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.7 
Africa  11.4 12.6 7.7 7.2 10.0 
 Ghana  0.8 0.6 0.3 0.2 2.7 
 Senegal 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.6 1.8 
 Morocco  2.1 3.4 3.6 3.0 1.4 
 South Africa  2.0 3.0 1.3 0.9 1.0 
Middle East  3.8 3.4 3.3 4.8 10.3 
 United Arab Emirates  2.6 2.2 2.0 3.0 6.5 
 Lebanese Republic  0.4 0.5 0.4 0.8 2.3 
 Saudi Arabia , Kingdom of  0.4 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.1 
Asia 28.1 34.9 31.9 35.4 33.6 
 China  8.8 12.7 11.6 14.0 14.9 
 Japan 0.6 1.5 1.8 1.7 0.7 
 Other Asia  18.8 20.7 18.5 19.7 17.9 
 India 2.9 6.3 7.1 10.1 10.9 
 Singapore  1.8 0.9 1.2 0.7 2.5 
 Malaysia  1.5 2.3 1.1 1.2 1.3 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the  UNSD Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3); and 
United Nations, ITC TradeMap . 
 
  WT/TPR/S/370 /Rev.1  • Guinea  
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  Table  A3. 1 Products to which Guinea applies customs duty rates different from the 
ECOWAS CET  HS chapter  
Products  Number of tariff lines  (at the 
10 digit level )  
Total  of which: products 
to which Guinea 
applies  customs 
duty rates 
differ ent from the 
ECOWAS CET  
Total  6,128  171  
List A: (The CET rate is higher than the duties in List A ) 2,014  90  
02 Meat and edible meat offal  66  4  
04 Dairy produce  46  6  
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers  78  1  
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils  59  4  
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery  20  1  
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk  25  1  
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit,  nuts or other parts of plants  79  1  
28 Inorganic chemicals  175  1  
31 Fertiliz ers 24  8  
34 Soap, organic surface -active agents, washing preparations  30  5  
38 Miscellaneous chemical products  117  8  
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard  127  5  
63 Other made up textile articles  54  2  
72 Iron and steel  178  3  
73 Articles of iron or steel  159  3  
74 Copper and articles thereof  52  1  
76 Aluminium and articles thereof  47  2  
82 Tools, implements  73  13  
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances  551  20  
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles  54  1  
List B: Import adjustment tax (TAI) rate  1,257  30  
04 Dairy produce  46  1  
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices  72  2  
27 Mineral fuels  61  12  
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement  52  1  
70 Glass and glassware  77  1  
76 Aluminium and articles thereof  47  2  
78 Lead and articles thereof  10  1  
81 Other base metals  49  1  
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances  551  4  
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof  292  5  
List C: Supplementary protection tax (TCP)  rate 932  51  
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten  38  1  
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants  79  20  
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar  33  2  
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts  58  6  
39 Plastics and articles thereof  145  4  
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal  107  7  
73 Articles of iron or steel  159  3  
76 Aluminium and articles thereof  47  2  
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling -stock 219  1  
94 Furniture  47  5  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities . 
 
__________