RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/370  
24 April  2018 
(18-2586) Page: 1/27 
Trade Policy Review Body  Original: French  
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
GUINEA 
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex  3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Guinea 
is attached.  
 
 
Note:  This report is subject to restricted circulation and press emb argo until the end of the 
first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Guinea.  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  Table of Contents  
1  OVERVIEW  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
2  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES  ................................ ................................ ................  4 
2.1  General objectives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  4 
2.2  Sectoral objectives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
2.2.1   Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
2.2.2   Energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
2.2.3   Industry  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  9 
2.2.4   Mining  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  10 
2.2.5   Fisheries  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  12 
2.2.6   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  13 
2.2.6.1   Banks and financial services  ................................ ................................ ...................  13 
2.2.6.2   Transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  14 
2.2.6.2.1   Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 14 
2.2.6.2.2   Maritime transport  ................................ ................................ .............................  15 
2.2.6.2.3   Land transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 15 
2.2.6.2.4   Rail transport ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
2.2.6.3   Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ ..............................  16 
2.2.6.4   Tourism and hotel sector  ................................ ................................ .......................  20 
2.2.7   Craft sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  21 
2.3  Legal and regulatory framework governing trade policy  ................................ ...................  21 
2.3.1   Domestic laws and regulations governing trade  ................................ ...........................  21 
2.3.2   Formu lation of trade policy  ................................ ................................ .......................  21 
2.4  Implementation of trade policy: trade policy measures applied in the Republic 
of Guinea  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  22 
2.5  Constraints to trade in the Republic of Guinea  ................................ ................................  25 
3  TRADE LIBERALIZATION  PROGRAMME IN THE REP UBLIC OF GUINEA  ........................  26 
4  PROSPEC TS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  26 
5  CONCLUSION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  27 
 
 
  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  1  OVERVIEW  
1.1.  The Republic of Guinea is situated in the south -west of West Africa between latitudes 7°05 ' 
and 12°51 ' north, and longitudes 7°30 ' and 15°10 ' west, half way between the Equator and the 
Tropic  of Cancer.  It has borders with  Liberia and Sierra Leone to the south ; Côte d'Ivoire to the 
east; and Guinea -Bissau, Senegal and Mali to the north . 
1.2.  It is a coastal country with a 300 -km long Atlantic western coastline.  Its relief is varied and  
extends from the low -altitude coastal plains to the mountainous areas in the interior of the 
country, which reach  an altitude of over 1,500 metres in places.  It is divided into four large natural 
regions, different in climate, topography and sub -soil, namely  Guinée Maritime  (Maritime , or 
Lower  Guinea) , Moyenne Guinée  (Middle Guinea) , Haute Guinée  (Upper Guinea) and 
Guinée  Forestière  (Forested Guinea) . The general climate is tropical, with alternating dry and rainy 
seasons.  Guinea  covers an area of 245,857 km2 and in 2017 had a population of some  
11,702,692  inhabitants , i.e. an average density of 4 8 inhabitants per km2. 
1.3.  Following its third appearance before the WTO Trade Policy Review Body in September  2011, 
Guinea continued to imp lement  the reforms introduced  by the authorities of the Third Republic 
in 2010, under various  programmes  and projects to strengthen the country’s trade capacities . 
Guinea’s average annual per capita income , which was  US$3 30 in 2011, ha d practically doubled  to 
US$645.52 by 2014 ; nonetheless,  it remains  low relative to  the country's enormous potential in 
various areas of activity, including agriculture, mining, fisheries, and energy.  
1.4.  In pursuing  the objectives of Guinea’s  new economic development policy, the 
National  Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES), as described in Law L /2017/057 /AN of 
8 December 2017  (the 2016 -2020 Planning Law ), special emphasis has been placed on the 
implementation of major projects designed to  have a direct impact on the Guine an population's 
living standards , while maintaining a climate of social peace and political stability. These objectives 
are founded  on four pillars : 
 promotion of good governance for sustainable development;  
 sustainable economic transformation;  
 inclusive de velopment of human capital;  
 promotion of sustainable management of natural capital . 
1.5.  To this end, the measures adopted include : 
 adoption of a sound policy for the management of public finances ; 
 partial resolution of energy problems with the activation of  the KALETA hydroelectric 
dam since 2015 and others currently under construction , such as SOAPITI , together with  
new equipment (thermal power plants and water wells); 
 implementation  since January 2017 of the five-band harmonized common external tariff 
of the Economic Communit y of West African States (ECOWAS);  
 support for the coffee, cocoa and cashew marketing campaign  by setting up  the 
following professional associations in collaboration with the Guinean Export Promotion 
Agency (AGUIPEX): the Guinean Coffee  and Cocoa Sector Confederation  (CNIFIG), the 
Cashew Sector Inter-branch  Association (monitoring  committee), the National Federation 
of Cashew Farmers (FENAPAG) and the Guinean Cashew Exporters Association 
(AGEXANA);  
 broadening of the tax base;  
 introduction of the single treasury account principle for executing  the government 
budget . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  1.6.  These measures have started  to produce positive effects, as revealed by  improvement s in 
certain macroeconomic indicators. Inflation dropped  from 11.90% in 2013 to st abilize around 
8.10% in 2017. The gap between the official Guinean  franc (GNF) /US$ exchange rate and the 
parallel rate  has narrowed considerably . The unemployment rate was 3.8%  in 2012 , and the 
growth rate was 6.6% in 2016 according to the International Mo netary Fund (IMF) . Gross domestic 
product (GDP) in 2014 amounted to GNF 61,573 billion, representing a per capita GDP of 
GNF 5.8 million.  
1.7.  Other significant results that illustrate the positive  dynamic of the national economy include : 
 reduction in the share of debt service from 68% of the budget to 20% between 2010 
and 2013;  
 reduction in the Treasury's debt with the Central Bank from 101.8% in 2010 to 7.1% 
in 2014;  
 reduction in the external -debt/GDP ratio from 6 7.8% to 22.84% between 2010 
and 2014;  
 stabilization of the prices of staple  products  through many efficien cy measures;  
 improvement of banking services (99 branches in 2014 compared to  60 in 2010)  and 
their increased use by citizens  (over 100,000 new customers between 2010 and 2014);  
 increas ed lending to the economy;  
 signing of several mining contracts totalling nearly  US$26 billion;  
 readmission of the country to the EITI global standard;  
 concerted and coordinated revision of mining agreements to allow compliance with the 
new guidelines, including t hose stemming from the new legal framework in this area;  
 optimization of the management of the mining register ; 
 institutional capacity building for mining administration;  
 Guinea's readmission as a beneficiary of  the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA ) 
passed by the United States . 
2  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES  
2.1  General objectives  
2.1.  Guinea's trade policy and the strategy for implementing it are a continuation of the country's 
general economic policy agenda , as expressed  through  the various reforms introduce d over more 
than 20  years and the creation of the Third Republic.  This strategy, which is clearly outlined in the 
PNDES , rests on five main objectives :  
 integrate trade more fully into the Guinean economy and the latter into the global 
economy, by strength ening human resource capacities and developing exports;  
 participate in the preparation of the Accelerated Programme  for Food and Nutrition 
Security and Agricultural Development ( PASANDA) and support the promotion and 
development of export sectors;  
 supply the market with basic food and non -food commodities ; WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   intensify quality control and surveillance  of food products;  
 strengthen Guinea's participation in subregional, regional and multilateral trade . 
2.2.  Other programmes  were developed in November 2011, inc luding the Guinea Trade Policy 
Action Programme  (PAPCG), which is a trade policy implementation plan  aimed at  reviving  
economic growth and reduc ing poverty, by undertaking  to boost production capacity , promote the 
competitiveness of the economy and negotia te pro-trade  agreements.  
2.3.  The PAPCG also reflects programmes  previously  identified for implementation  as part of 
national development and the poverty reduction strategy. It has been developed as a coherent and 
internally integrated programme , in which  each component ta kes account of the design and 
objectives of projects in other components , including: the legal framework, participation in 
regional and global trade, the establishment of a transparent import -export regime, trade 
facilitation, strengthening of production capacities for the domestic  market and exports, domestic  
trade  and distribution, consumer protection and fair trade , and, lastly , the protection of 
intellectual  property rights . 
2.2  Sectoral objectives  
2.2.1   Agriculture  
2.4.  With more than six  million hectares  of arable land, Guinea  has considerable agricultural 
potential. Nonetheless , only 25% of that land is actually being cultivated.  As agriculture provides 
employment to over 80% of the population , income distribution in the sector is a key factor in 
eradica ting poverty . 
2.5.  Agriculture accounts for around 20% of GDP , and it has generally grown faster than  other 
sectors  of the economy . Nonetheless , low yields  are making  the country increasingly reliant  on 
food imports ; for example, an estimated  300,000 ton nes of rice are imported annually . The main 
constraints in agriculture  are precarious  irrigation schemes, inadequate  support for  farmers, a 
shortage of agricultural inputs and improved  seeds, and low  levels of  training among  the actors  
concerned . 
2.6.  Agriculture is one of the priority sectors of the national development policy adopted in the 
various guidance documents, including : 
 the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP);  
 Agricultural Development Policy Letters I and II;  
 the National Agricultural Inv estment and Food Security Plan (PNIASA  2011-2015);  
 the National Plan for Agricultural Investment  and Food and Nutrition Security (PNIASAN  
2018-2025).  
2.7.  To that end, the Guinean Government is continuing to implement its wide-ranging  agricultural 
development and modernization  programme , with active participation by the private sector and 
support from its main development partners, by:  
 enhancing  the means of production through  rational use of forest resources and 
agricultural inputs to boost farmers' output ; 
 setting up  agricultural finance systems in rural areas;  
 rehabilitat ing and extending rural networks and roads;  
 promoting the development and irrigation of agricultural areas;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   strengthening  capacity in good agricultural practices;  
 integrating  the different sectors  into value chains . 
2.2.2   Energy  
2.8.  The legal framework reflects  Guinea's commitments under international treaties on electricity,  
as well as  laws, draft regulations  on energy efficiency, regulatory and contractual  provisions, 
programmes  already implemented , ongoing projects and others  under negotiation . 
2.9.  Guinea is party to several regional agreements  on electricity, in particular : 
 the ECOWAS Energy Protocol, which aims at developing competition, facilitating transit, 
and promoting and protecting investment in  the sector;  
 the Senegal River Basin Development Organization ( OMVS ) and the Gambia River Basin 
Development Organization  (OMVG ) conventions , and additional instruments  that 
organize the joint hydropower exploitation of the Senegal and Gambia rivers;  
 the Niger River Basin Authority ( ABN) convention and additional instruments  that 
organize the joint exploitation of the Niger River;  
 the agreement to create the West Africa n Power Pool ( WAPP ); 
 Sustainable energy for all (SE4ALL ). 
2.10.   Guinea is part of the WAPP , which is gradually developing investment programmes  and 
operating manuals and setting up the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).  
2.11.   With a view to extending the development and use of its hydroelectric resources to the 
Community and to the aforementioned organizations, Guinea undertook  to modernize the 
L/93 Law on the generation, transport , distribution, import and export of electricity ; and it updated 
that legislation  through  Law No. L/13/061 on rural electrification . The latter deals with the 
definition, organization and modes of operation of related activities. This law is supplemented by 
Decree No. D/2017/099 /PRG/SGG on the establishment, organization , powers and operation of the 
Guinean Rural Electrification Agency (AGER). 
2.12.   A draft law on the creation and organization of the Regulatory Authority for Public 
Electricity and Drinking Water Utilities in the Republic of Guinea  has been produced , 
together with some  15 draft regulations  on energ y efficiency. This Authority ’s responsibilities will 
include the following :  
 assist the Government  in the rational development of electricity and drinking water 
supply under the  current  sectoral policy;  
 implement a tariff policy aimed at achieving and maintaining economic and financial 
balance in the electricity sector and the public drinking -water service;  
 define electricity  and water rates for end -customers;  
 implement the policy , promote competition and encourage  participation in operational 
functions ( generat ion, transmission and dist ribution) by private operators in the water 
and electricity sectors;  
 create conditions to ensure  the financial viability of firms in the electricity and drinking 
water sector s; 
 protect and defend users’ interests and the quality of the public service;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   resolve disputes between all stakeholders ( Government , public services, private 
operators, consumers, etc.);  
 oversee  the correct  execution of agreements  and contracts . 
2.13.   Legislation  potentially applicable  to the sector  include s a new Law on public-private 
partnership s (PPP) . These may take the form of a public service concession or any other 
contractual agreement that conforms to the PPP definition , such as the build-operate -transfer  
(BOT) contract and its derivative forms .  
2.14.   The following regulatory and cont ractual provisions have been adopted : 
 Decree No. D /2001/098 /PRG/SGG of 18 December 2001, establishing Guinea Electricity 
(Electricité de Guinée (EDG)) as a public utility ; 
 Decree No. 2016/386 /PRG/SGG of 30 December  2016, appointing the General Manager 
of EDG;  
 Joint Order  No. A /03/4636 /MEH/MEF/SGG of 16 June 2003 containing  the articles of 
association of the State -owned enterprise EDG, as amended by Joint Decree 
No. A/2015/3580 /PEH/PEF/SGG of 13 June 2015, containing  the articles of association of 
the State -owned enterprise  with a General Manager;  
 Management contract, signed on 19 June 2015 between the Republic of Guinea and the 
Veolia -Seureca Group, aimed at strengthening EDG's internal management capacity by 
developing  specific skills (permanent and specific missions);  
 Performance contract, signed on 9 October 2015 between the Republic of Guinea and 
EDG. This contract specifies  initial values and recovery indicators . 
2.15.   The following results have been achieved u nder the  Decentralized  Rural 
Electrification Project  (PERD) : 
 creation and institutionalization of the Decentralized Rural Electrification Bureau (B ERD); 
 creation and implementation  of the Decentralized Rural Electrification Fund (FERD);  
 establishment of a specific regulatory and tax framework for decentralized rural 
electrification ( ERD); 
 development of technical standards specific to ERD, and tools for the scaling -up 
(technical and financial) of ERD schemes;  
 development of local ERD engineering and systems installa tion capacities 
(14 engineering consultants  and ten install ation personnel ) with professional training  
in ERD; 
 increased access to electricity for nearly 15,000 households in 30 rural communities 
covered by low-voltage mini-grids powered by generators with  capacities ranging 
between 12. 5 and 250 kVA , generating total  power of 1 .75 MVA;  
 legislation defining the ERD subsector, drafted  and submitted to the Government ; 
 legislation on the establishment  and organiz ation of  the AGER, drafted and submitted to 
the Government . 
2.16.   In relation to  the project to remove obstacles to the development of the 
pico-hydroelectric power sector , the BERD , now rebranded as  the AGER , received  technical 
assistance from the SOGREAH consulting firm with a view to  lifting  obstacles facing the 
pico-hydroelectric sector  in Guinea . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  2.17.   The AGER’s overall mission is to implement the national rural electrification policy defined by 
the Ministry responsible for energy , by executing  the National Rural Electrification Programme  
(PNER) 2030 , which is currently being developed with  technical assistance from the ECOWAS 
Centre  for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).  
2.18.   In terms of challenges, the United Nations SE4ALL initiative, launched by the United Nations 
Development Programme  (UNDP) a nd the World Bank, reinforces  the need for swift action. A 
May 2014 report entitled Évaluation et analyse des gaps par rapport aux objectifs de SE4ALL pour 
la Guinée  (Guinea: Rapid Assessment Gap Analysis) reveals  the scale of the challenge: access for 
all by 2030 means connecting  1.8 million rural households in 15 years, or 120,000 per year, when  
Guinea currently has fewer than 23,000 rural households with an electricity  connection . 
2.19.   This represents a large -scale investment to be made by 2030, and hence a  major  need for 
funding ; but it also requires the  establishment of a proper  strategic and institutional framework, to 
ensure  coordinated, concerted, equitable and low-cost development of rural electrification  and 
related services.  
2.20.   Guinea has several  advantages  with opportunities to exploit them , the most important of 
which are : 
 strong demand for access to modern energy in rural areas, particularly to improve the 
population’s living conditions, enhance the efficiency of drinking water supply systems 
and the provision of education, health and administration services;  
 numerous opportunities for developing income -generating economic activities in rural 
areas, owing to abundant and diverse natural resources (hydraulic, agricultural, forestry, 
mining);  
 significant renewable energy potential (particularly hydroelectricity, solar power, 
biomass) spread throughout national territory;  
 increasingly effective and competitive renewable energy technologies, including solar 
photov oltaic (PV) , biomass and wind, the costs of which are falling fast ; 
 technical and financial partners are being mobilized to put the electricity sector  on a 
sounder footing , and an energy thematic group meets periodically;  
 major hydropower projects, electri city interconnection with neighbo uring countries and 
grid strengthening are currently  under way . 
2.21.   Going forward,  the AGER roadmap for 2030 is divided into three phases :  
 operational  development  of AGER in 2015-2017, including the various activities that 
remain pending  for this purpose, and mobilization of the partners and resources needed 
to start activities on the ground . 
 implementation of the AGER launch  programme , comprising both technical assistance 
projects aimed at strengthening the agency’s capacities and those of rural electrification 
operators, and specific  rural electrification projects using the various technological 
options that will also make it possible to implement  the operational and financial 
procedures (2017-2020). 
 acceleration and  scaling -up with the SE4ALL initiative: launch of the first planned rural 
electrification projects (PPER s) as from 2018, then annual Rural Electrification 
Programmes  (PAER s) between 2019 -2030 — with each new year of PPERs targeting at 
least 10,000 new conn ections (households, drinking water supply, businesses, craft 
workers , industries, community -based services) until 100% access to electricity  is 
achieved . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  2.22.   Several projects are under way a s part of the implementation of its extensive 
program me, including : 
 the small-scale hydro power  project in Guinea  (PEHGUI)  in partnership with the 
French NGO Fondation Énergie pour le Monde (FONDEM ); this €2 million project is being  
co-financed by the French Global Environment Fund (FFEM), the Environment and 
Energy Manageme nt Agency (ADEME) and the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility 
(EREF), the Regional Council of Ile -de-France (CRIF), the NEXANS Foundation, FONDEM 
and the National Development Budget (BND).  
This project targets  the following : (i) photovoltaic /hydropower /GE hyb rid power -plant 
electrification  in a pilot rural community, for approximately 5,800 direct and 
21,700  indirect beneficiaries ( component  A); and (ii) development of a rural 
electrification programme  using small -scale hydropower and solar energy for a dozen 
localities and its ownership  by all local stakeholders (component B). 
 The Decentralized Rural Electrification Programme  (ERD) for 14 localit ies in 
Haute Guinée , undertaken in collaboration with the Bolloré Group thr ough its 
Blue Solutions  subsidiary . This programme  is part of the Statement  of Intent , signed 
between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Government of the 
French  Republic , to strengthen cooperation in the development of renewable s and access 
to energy.  
2.23.   Other projects are currently under negotiation :  
 The Guinea solar solution project,  which involves  the electrification of 200 rural 
localities using  mini-grids powered by solar photovoltaic (SPV) mini-plants with a total 
capacity of 11.66 MW p, and electrification by SPV of 170 other rural localities.  
2.24.   These two projects will enable nearly 90 ,000 rural households to access renewable 
electricity, which implies about  630,000 direct beneficiaries; the development of 
income -generating activities in t hese localities; improv ement of  security, health, education, job 
creation and reduc tion of  the rural exodus; the suitability of hybrid solar PV /diesel generation  or 
SPV alone to reduce the retail price of  electricity. I mplementation training  will be provid ed; the 
share of renewable energies in the national energy mix will increase ; and both diesel consumption 
and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) will be reduced . 
2.2.3   Industr y 
2.25.   With the aim of reviving industrial production, the Government has reduced the 
State  portfolio by 19 industrial units through  Decrees N os. 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, with a view to 
transferring them back  to credible operators capable of  reviving their activity .  
2.26.   Under these decrees and pursuant to Law No.  L/2001/018/AN  of 28 October 2001 , on the 
reform of public enterprises and disengagement by the State, and its enabling decree,  the 
following four industrial units have been removed from the public -sector portfolio : 
 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 the 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 TAFAGU I.  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  2.27.   In the future , the following 14 factories will also be transferred back to the private sector : 
 the Kankan cotton 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).  
2.28.   The expected impact s are social, economic and financial , and could  be reflected in a  revival 
of economic activity and income  for the public treasury, etc. The Government's objectives in this 
sector focus mainly on revitalizing its industrialization programme, starting  with support for 
private -sector  operators . 
2.2.4   Mining 
2.29.   For a long time to come, Guinea's economy will remain dependent on the mining sector, 
which alone accounts for more than a quarter of GDP and over 75% of export earnings . Thanks to 
its mining resources and energy potential , Guinea is in a position to achieve genuine, sustained 
socio-economic development . 
2.30.   A new Mining Code was adopted by Law No. L/2011/006 /CNT of 9 September 2011 and 
promulgated the same day by the  President of the Republic. Aligned  with international best 
practices , it preserves the country ’s interests and international competitiveness , with a special  
emphasis on good governance and corporate social responsibility , to: 
 optimiz e state revenues and the impact of mining activities on neighbo uring 
communities by making  the Mining Code  more attractive ; 
 correct the shortcomings and gaps identified over time in the allocation and 
management of mining permits ; 
 review certain  aspects of mining policy: state  involvement, community development;  
 harmoniz e the provisions of the Code with those of other national codes and instruments  
relating in particular to agriculture, the environment  and water ; 
 take into account  emerging multilateral trends at the subregional  and regional levels 
(WAEMU , ECOWAS);  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   eliminat e inconsistencies  and remove ambiguit ies in some provisions;  
 specify  tax provisions and all other aspects to give clarity to  investors . 
2.31.   Several implementing  texts have been published, including :  
 Decree  No. D/2012/041 /PRG/SGG on the responsibilities , composition and functioning of 
the National Mining Commission;  
 Decree No. D/2012/045 /PRG/SGG on the implementation of a programme  for the review 
of mining permits  and agreements  by the National Mining Commission ; 
 Decree No. D/2015/007 /PRG/SGG of 14/01/2015 setting up a system for rapid 
processing and follow -up of integrated mining project  document s; 
 Decree No. D/2016/125 /PRG/SGG on the allocation and organization of the Ministry of 
Mines and Geology;  
 Joint Order  No. A/12/No. 505/MMG/MS specifying  the conditions for applying  the 
Mining  Code of 9 September 2011, Article 148 - Use of explosives for civil use;  
 Joint Order No. A/6074/MEF/MMG/SGG setting  the rates and levels of  fixed duties, taxes 
and royalties resulting from the granting, renewal, extension, transfer and /or temporary 
concession of mining rights  and authorization s; 
 Collective Agreement on mines and quarries . 
2.32.   The key principles of the 2011 Mining Code focus on : 
 affirmation of the principles of transparency and the fight against corruption;  
 modalities for the granting of mining rights to prevent the immobilization of funds ; 
 stabilization and rational management of mining revenues;  
 State participation in the capital  of mining companies and projects;  
 new environmental protection and management measures , taking into account  
environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) in accordance with international 
standards and best practices . 
2.33.   This Code establishes a new clas sification of mining substances : 
 Category 1: bauxite and iron;  
 Category 2: precious substances: gold, platinoids, diamonds, gems;  
 Category 3: metallic substances: bas ic metals and minor metals;  
 Category 4: non -metallic substances;  
 Category 5: radioactive s ubstances: uranium, thorium and their derivatives;  
 Category 6: mineral and thermal waters . 
2.34.   An entire chapter is devoted to transparency and the fight against corruption and conflicts of 
interest in the mining sector. It establishes a Code of C onduct and a Monitoring Plan against 
Corruption ; it provides for the publication of all contracts, agreements  and administrative decisions  
in the press and on the Internet , and for the disseminat ion of  information on how taxes  on mining 
activity  are used . It requires permit  holders to identify themselves in detail ; and it  strictly prohibits WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  the payment of bribes by corporations and acts of graft by officials. The chapter also  lays down  an 
obligation to respect the 12 principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). 
Lastly , the management of mining rights  has been  improved and made  more transparent  by 
setting up  two control structures (the Technical Committee and the National Mining Commission) . 
2.35.   New environmental protection measures are also planned : 
 progressive and detailed regulation requiring maximum protection of the environment 
but graduated according to the scale of the mining works, and ensuring rehabilitation of 
the exploited sites;  
 creation of an environmental restoration bond , from the start of the mining activity, to 
guarantee restoration of the exploited sites .  
2.36.   The stabilization of relations between the companies and local communities leads 
to a local development agreement through :  
 full payment of annual surface taxes to each community in proportion to its occupation;  
 payment of a turnover tax of 0.5% (bauxite and iron) and 1% (other mineral  
substances);  
 payment to the local budget of all the local communities across the country of 15% of 
the mining tax, fixed duties  and the  tax on quarr y output  and small -scale production, to 
ensure equal  distribution  of mining tax revenues  nationwide ; 
 provisions promoting  the creation of small and medium enterprises/industries 
(SMEs /SMIs) at all stages of mining activity, in order to develop domestic ser vices at 
competitive prices  and thus reduce subcontracting costs in the long run ; 
 requirement to employ  a minimum quota of Guinean nationals  at all phases of the 
mining project’s development , to nurture  national expertise and optimize  labour costs .  
2.2.5   Fisheries  
2.37.   Guinea has modernized its fisheries legislati on since 2015. Fishing activities are governed by 
the following texts : 
 Law No. 2015/026/AN of 14 September 2015 containing  the Marine Fisheries Code;  
 Law No. 2015/027/AN of 14 September 2015 containing  the Inland Fisheries Code; and  
 Law No. 2015/028/AN of 14 September 2015 containing  the Aquaculture Code.  
2.38.   These laws take into account the core principles of Code of Conduct for Responsible 
Fisheries  of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the relevant 
major conventions on sustainable resource management.  
2.39.    The objective in this sector remains the maximization of economic and social benefits for 
Guinea  from the exploita tion of its fisher y resources.  This considers  the need to safeguard 
ecosystem balance and the sustainability of resource exploitation , while seeking to increase the 
contribution of fisheries to food security, job creation, higher incomes for fisher folk, and increased 
government  revenue . 
2.40.   Accordingly, the Government will continue to:  
 set up an efficient system for the planning and rational management of resources by 
strengthening the monitoring and protection of fishing zones and by conducting 
research;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   step up the fight against animal diseases and develop a livestock feed supply base;  
 consolidate  basic infrastructures and enhance  the value  added of fisher y products;  
 support the exportation of fish ery products;  
 encourage the emergence of domestic economic op erators in the spheres  of small -scale 
fishing and industrial fishing;  
 decentralize and improve the control  and surveillance of Guinean territorial waters . 
2.41.   To encourage the emergence of small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) capable of meeting 
the population’s  needs, the Government has formulated and implemented a policy to modernize 
and strengthen the fishery sector's operating capacities .  
2.2.6   Services  
2.2.6.1   Banks and financial services  
2.42.   The Government's reforms in this area  have made it  possible to liberalize the banki ng and 
financial sector by:  
 restructuring and rehabilitating the Central Bank as the currency -issuing entity 
responsible for monitoring and controlling the entire banking and financial system;  
 reforming the operating environment for banking, financial and microcredit institutions, 
focusing in particular on monetary policy, the legal framework for financial 
intermediation, the related tax system, and the extent of state participation in the 
capital and management of banks and other financial institutions;  
 liberalizing the foreign exchange market, developing the money market and savings and 
loan institutions, and introducing mechanisms to support MSMEs . 
2.43.   Other measures include : 
 raising the reserve requirements for deposit -receiving banks, with a view to absorbi ng 
excess liquidity in the economy;  
 strict application of foreign -exchange regulations and the operation of foreign -exchange 
bureau s. 
2.44.   At present, 12 commercial banks, four insurance companies, and seven certified 
microfinance  institutions form the backbone  of Guinea' s banking and financial system.  All banking 
and financial institutions are private and consist of foreign as wel l as private Guinean partners. The 
Insurance Code entered into force on 12  June 1995. 
2.45.   A new banking supervision law was enacted on 4  July 2005, and another law on 
microfinance institutions is currently under discussion  in the National Assembly . Both of these laws 
should strengthen security and stability in the Guinean banking and financial market, for 
depositors and policyholders  alike, and for investors.  
2.46.   The Government's main objectives in this area remain  the optimal  management of 
foreign -exchange reserves and stabilization of the external value of Guinea's currency . In this 
context, the Government will continue to :  
 control money in circulation by promoting efficient use of the banking system throughout 
the economy;  
 tighten supervision of banking and financial institutions by introducing  instruments, 
procedures and methods that meet international standards;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 14 - 
 
   enhance the security and mo dernization of payment systems and media in banking and 
financial institutions , in accordance with the objectives set by the second West African 
Monetary Zone (WAMZ);  
 strengthen  mechanisms to facilitate investment and its financing;  
 further liberalize the money and foreign exchange markets;   
 create a financial market as a tool for capturing  savings in support  of public and private 
investment . 
2.47.   A two -window microcredit agency has been set up to revive employment in the financial 
sector.  The windows have been given endowments of  GNF 20 billion and GNF 10 billion to 
encourage female entrepreneurship and youth employment , respectively.  A national development 
agency has been created and a bank for SMEs is being planned . 
2.2.6.2   Transport  
2.48.   The main objective in the transpor t (air, maritime and land)  sector  is to improve traffic 
conditions and thus  facilitate travel and improve  safety for passengers and their luggage .  
2.2.6.2.1   Air transport  
2.49.   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. The following measures have been 
adopted i n this subsector : 
 opening of Conakry International Airport to round -the-clock traffic;  
 coordination of security services at Conakry Airport ; 
 streamlining of formal ities for passengers and for goods transit;  
 increasing the traffic at Conakry International Airport by more than 30 %; 
 implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of access to 
air transport markets in Africa ; 
 multiple designation of carriers in respect of  traffic rights;  
 permission  for airlines to operate on several frequencies;  
 granting of fifth -freedom traffic rights to the subregion 's airlines on a reciprocal basis;  
 liberalization of commercial air transport activities;  
 drafting  and adoption of enabling  texts for the Civil Aviation Code . 
2.50.   The short-, medium - and long -term objectives for the subsector are as follows :  
 rehabilitation of the Kankan, Labé and N zérékoré airports to enable them  to operate day 
and night;  
 revision of expired aviation agreements;  
 bolstering of  human, financial and material resources to increase the  institutional 
capacity of the subsector's structures;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 15 - 
 
   revival of the activities of domestic air transport operators by pr omoting local private 
airlines;  
 continued implementation of the master plan fo r the development of Conakry Airport, 
with a view to increasing incoming and outgoing traffic  
2.51.   The Government plans to bring regional airports into operation and to build an airpo rt that 
meets  modern standards.  Negotiations are under way with several companies to improve service 
to the country . 
2.2.6.2.2   Maritime transport  
2.52.   Guinea ’s long coastline (over  300 km) favours maritime transport, which  carries  roughly 
95% of the country’s  foreign trade . The short -term objectives for maritime transport are to : 
 improve the performance of and expand the Autonomous Port of Conakry (PAC) to 
increase goods traffic through the Third Port Project;  
 develop transhipment , international transit, and domestic cabotage  activities ; 
 build up the subsector's management capacity;  
 restructure the Maritime Navigation Agency (ANAM ), and partially privatize the Guinean 
Shipping Company (SNG);  
 revive river transport on the Niger and Milo rivers;  
 involve national carriers in shipping activities by partnering  with a  foreign shipping 
company;  
 create an appropriate specific regulatory framework;  
 draft and adopt all the implementing texts of the Merchant Marine Code;  
 apply the Internationa l Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), which entered 
into force on 1  July 2004.  
2.53.   The agreement signed between the Autonomous Port of Conakry and the Bolloré group 
envisages the building of a new container terminal, on which work has already begun, as well as a 
railroad and a dry port in Kagbelen to reduce truck -traffic  congestion  in that city. 
2.2.6.2.3   Land transport  
2.54.   The general short- and medium -term objectives are to improve the organization of Guinean 
land transport to enhanc e its performance and tak e advantage of the new opportunities that have 
emerged in the West African subregion.  The following activities  are envisaged : 
 the organization and development of road corridors to promote inter -state transport for 
subregional integration;  
 improvement of tr affic flows in the city of Conakry ; 
 strengthening  of the subsector's management capacity;  
 computerization of the management of the country's vehicle fleet and the system for 
issuing transport documents (driving licences, registration documents, transport 
authorizations, etc.);  
 improvement of road safety;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 16 - 
 
   preparation and introduction of an action plan to gradually  improve  the quality of the 
vehicle fleet;  
 establishment of a system for collecting  and processing traffic accident statistic s; 
 creation  of a Natio nal Transport Observatory . 
2.55.   The Government has resumed road projects in the capital , Conakry , and in inland towns.  It 
plans to repair the entire national road network over the medium term .  
2.2.6.2.4   Rail transport  
2.56.   The railway network consists of a 662 km line between  Conakry  and Kankan, which is under 
reconstruction, and three private lines belonging to mining companies. The National Railway 
Authority of Guinea (ONCFG) is responsible for  asset maintenance  (buildings, locomotives, track). 
The main objective rema ins to revive rail transport activities and thus  facilitat e trade and 
population movements .  
2.2.6.3   Telecommunications  
2.57.   In December 2015, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy 
(MPTEN)  was established , and it immediately began a review o f the National Development 
Strategy for Postal Services , Telecommunications, and Information and Communications 
Technolog ies. 
2.58.   To succeed in its new strategy, the Ministry  adopted the following provisions :  
 28 August 2012: Decree No. D /2012/101 /PRG/SGG establishing  the Guinean Broadband 
Company (GUILAB) to manage and operate the  ACE submarine  cable resources;  
 July 2013 : SOTELGUI put into receivership;  
 15 September  2014: Decree No. D/2014/199 /PRG/SGG establishing the National  
Backbone Management Company ( SOGEB) ;  
 12 December 2014 : adoption of Decree  No. D/2014/252 /PRG/SGG defining the 
modalities for implementing universal access and digital solidarity;  
 20 March 2015 : promulgation of Law No. L/2015/002 /AN instituting a telephone 
consumption tax (TCT) ; 
 13 August  2015: adoption and promulgation of Law No. 2015/018 /AN on 
telecommunications and information technologies , which transposes the ECOWAS 
supplementary acts . 
2.59.   Other  pieces of legislation and regulations are expected in the digital sector , mainly laws o n 
online  transactions, cybersecurity, audiovisual  convergence, postal reform  and personal data 
protection, together with  enabling regulations for  the different laws.  
2.60.   Considerable progress has been made since 2011 :  
 the mobile telephony penetration  rate has increased from 30 % to over 100%;  
 the Internet penetration rate  has grown  from 1 % to over 23% ; mobile Internet is 
available in all towns ; 
 all prefectures and subprefectures are connected to mobile networks;  
 over 2,100 rural districts can access  mobile phone services;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 17 - 
 
   more than 1,800 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs have been created in the ICT sector;  
 Internet  was introduced  in secondary  schools , and in vocational and higher  education 
institutions  under  a Presidential Initiative;  
 with near-univers al deployment of 3G networks, Guineans are becoming familiar with 
data exchange (use of applications, content downloa d, social networks, etc.);  
 mobile money (mobile digital  wallet) is used in many commercial outlets  (shops, petrol  
(gas) stations, etc.);  
 connection to the ACE submarine  cable is maintained  and managed by GUILAB; 
construction work on the national backbone is well under way ; and t he 
Metropolitan  Network of Conakry (RMC) is  being refurbished ; 
 an agreement has been signed to convert  terrestrial television from anal ogue to digital .  
2.61.   According to the World Economic Forum 's Networked Readiness  Index , which measures  how 
prepared countries are  for the information society, Guinea is well placed  in terms of  register ing a 
contract and start ing a business.  
2.62.   To implement the  updated 2016 -2020 strategy, an inventory  was t aken, pillar by pillar , of 
the actions planned in the 2010 -2015 strategy. The overarching goal of the strategy was to 
"design and build a shared backbone for data, voice and video  transport". To that end , an 
agreement was signed in 2015  between the Guinean State and Eximbank for a loan of 
US$238 million, with a seven -year grace period.  
2.63.   Prior studies of the backbone having  been completed , SOGEB was set up  as a public limited 
company to manage and  operat e the backbone.  
2.64.   The actions undertaken  during 2010 -2015 include  the creation of GUILAB, with a grant  from 
the World Bank and following Guinea’s actual  connection to the Africa Coast  to Europe (ACE ) 
submarine  cable. It remains to award the infrastructure operator license to GUILAB, and to 
harness  the capacities acquired by the State and operators. This will require a review of the 
current management mode.  
2.65.   In the case of  mobile phone networks, all major cities (chief towns of regions, prefecture s, 
subprefectures and some large villages) are covered by 2G  mobile networks. The relative mobile 
telephony penetration rate is greater than 100%, according to reports published by  the Post and 
Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (ARPT). The chief towns of regions  and prefecture s are 
covered by 3G technology. The number of mobile phone users more than doubled  from 4,261 ,000 
in 2010 to 10,765 ,000 in late 2015.  
2.66.   The number of Internet users grew from 30,000 at end-2010 to 2,438,000 by late 2015. In 
the case of  professional Internet, the use of fibre-optic media contributed to the creation of the 
first broadband  professional Ethernet network.  
2.67.   As part of the postal sector reform, three projects of the Universal Posta l Union (UPU) were 
launched  during the period, including : 
 the Comprehensive Postal Reform and Development Plan (PIDEP) in 2012;  
 the implementation of mailbox  assemblies  in municipalities through the Service Quality 
Improvement Fund ( FAQS ) in 2013;  
 reinforcement of the postal  service transport  fleet under  the Multiannual Investment Plan 
(PIP) in 2014 .  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 18 - 
 
  2.68.   In terms of  the development of electronic communication networks and services at the 
national level, an institutional framework and cyber legislation h ave been put in place by the 
Ministry , to promote uses in areas deemed strategic, namely :  
 e-government ; 
 e-learning ; 
 e-health;  
 e-commerce;  and 
 e-agriculture , with a view to the development of rural areas .  
2.69.   For example, some institutions , such as the Privat e Investment Promotion Agency (APIP) 
have embarked on  activities to develop  e-commerce and online  transactions ; and some telephone 
operators offer a variety of online payment mechanisms . 
2.70.   Three major African and global changes are likely to affect the Guine an digital sector :  
 The Millennium Development Goals have been replaced by the Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs), which now prioritize  climate -change prevention ahead of  combating  
poverty, which involves mobilizing  digital technology among  half of the world's 
population;  
 Cybercrime is growing worldwide, especially in Africa. The Malabo Convention is seeking 
a solution at the African level , and international partners are preparing to mobilize funds 
to address  this issue;  
 New business models are emerging in the digital world, to replace  traditional 
seller -buyer models. These include  "three -band" models where services are offered free 
of charge to the public (e .g. voice-over-IP), while the economic return is obtained  from 
other sources, such as  commercial  use of the data collected . A collaborative economy is 
also emerging, where digital makes it possible to connect individuals with each other 
(C2C commerce ), while the commercial site takes a commission on the provision of 
housing, cars, or travel destinations .  
2.71.   In addition, the ARPT has conducted a forward -looking  study on ICT development in Guinea 
in 2015-2019. In conjunction  with the main Guinean stakeholders, it has identified six main levers 
of telecommunication /ICT development in the Republi c of Guinea : 
1. developing  broadband networks;  
2. improving energy supply;  
3. infrastructure s haring ; 
4. regulatory s trengthening , through a "strong and effective regulatory authority";  
5. building capacity for telecom /ICT sector managers;  
6. emergence of a telecommunication /ICT ecosystem .  
2.72.   The report also indicates that in 2019, telecommunication /ICT development in Guinea will 
have succeeded  if: 
 the legal and regulatory framework is strengthened and harmonized;  
 energy infrastructure is developed;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 19 - 
 
   networks are deployed throughout national territory and are interconnected with 
neighbo uring countries;  
 the actors  in question  have adopted infrastructure pooling strategies;  
 Guineans have access to broadband services and applications, diversified across  many 
areas (health, education, administration, agriculture, culture, media, and so forth ) at 
affordab le prices;  
 Guinea has acquired skill s; 
 Guinean firms have emerged that are "recognized internationally for their technological 
know-how".  
2.73.   For 2016 -2020, th e Government's priority is to "make ICT a driving force for the economic 
and social development of Guinea". To th at end, the overall goal for 2020 is for ICT to increase its 
share of GDP to  7% from its current  4% (BCRG, Ministry of Planning and ARPT), hence the 
objective of a fast -growing digital economy.  
2.74.   To take account of these elements, a development plan for 2020 is proposed, based on 
three  pillars, 17 components  and 89 actions , which can be summarized as follows :  
 improve broadcasting and the use o f postal and telecommunication tools as well as ICTs;  
 provide a public service to all segments of the population throughout the country in 
order to contribute to economic and social development;  
 promote a policy of wave -band liberalization while ensuring t hat all technical 
requirements  for managing and controlling the use of frequencies allocated to public and 
private radio and television operators have been met;  
 provide the national economy with communication s media  based on constantly evolving 
technologie s in order to increase its openness and integration into the world economy;  
 make  the administrations  more effective  by modernizing their operations, facilitating the 
establishment of administrative formalities, and providing citizens with more 
information;  
 strengthen the education system through distance learning and computer -assisted 
instruction;  
 create jobs in the provinces as a way of halting migration from the countryside to the 
capital, by encouraging the dissemination of ICT throughout the country;  
 further develop the provision  of telephone, ICT and postal services, and facilitate the 
broadest possible access to postal and telecommunications services, particularly in rural 
areas;  
 develop and diversify postal service activities and consolidate their fin ancial viability by 
introducing appropriate reforms (modernization of management methods, formation of 
partnerships, and human resource development);  
 encourage the development of a new ICT-based postal and telecom services industry 
capable of responding to  the increasingly diversified needs of businesses , for which the 
quality of the services provided  and the availability of innovative services represent 
productivity factors . 
2.75.   This will require the following :  
 stronger  public service by developing universal access;  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 20 - 
 
   individual fixed lines;  
 private telecentres;  
 community multi-service telecentres;  
 mobile phones, prepaid in particular;  
 post offices in rural areas;  
 extend ing the territorial coverage of postal and telecom ne twork infrastructure s, taking 
into account evolving  technologies and the specific needs of each category of users;  
 digitaliz ing and boost ing the capacity of the main transmission lines linking the capital 
with provincial towns;  
 moderniz ing telecom systems in line with  the new international standards , to offer a 
wide range of services at the lowest possible cost, while ensuring a performance level 
that meets  customers’ expectations;  
 improv ing the quality of services offered to customers by the different network operators 
and service providers ; 
 ensur ing service quality and interopera bility of services  with the rest of the world;  
 improv ing international internet connectivity;  
 linking Guinea to i nternational information highways, including via submarine cables;  
 encourag ing infrastructure -sharing by competing operators  to avoid redundancy, thereby 
reducing overheads  and lower ing charges for users ; 
 enabl ing users and the State to enjoy the full bene fits of competition by monitoring the 
operators and making sure  that their performance matches pre -established 
specifications;  
 provid ing mandatory telecom and express mail services throughout the country at freely 
determined rates, in keeping with the public service principle . 
2.2.6.4   Tourism and hotel  sector  
2.76.   In addition to its considerable mining, energy and agricultur al potential, Guinea also has 
exceptional tourism assets . Nonetheless, tourism remains one of the country's least developed 
activities . 
2.77.   For this  reason, the Government has embarked on  consultations with private partners with a 
view to refurbishing existing facilities and building establishments to international standards.  Its 
main objectives in this field  are to : 
 increas e tourism's contribution to  faster  growth by creating jobs and generating  
foreign  exchange;  
 encourage tourism professionals to invest in Guinea;  
 develop  human resources ; 
 create jobs with a wide distribution of income ; 
 create stable productive jobs .  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 21 - 
 
  2.2.7   Craft sector  
2.78.   The Government's objective in this area is to implement the Crafts Development 
Policy  Letter , which provides for the following : 
 encouraging initiatives to create  trade associations ; 
 implement ing a policy to promote  the creation of crafts villages ; 
 boosting  the productivity  and competitiveness of the Guinean crafts sector ; 
 organiz ing sales/exhibitions of Guinean crafts both at home and abroad ; 
 implement ing the Crafts Code.  
2.3  Legal and regulatory framework  governing trade policy  
2.3.1   Domestic laws and regulations governing trade  
2.79.   The Constitution is the supreme law in Guinea.  Legislative power is vested in the 
National  Assembly , which passes laws  that t he President of the Republic promulgates and ratifies.  
The President  also has  the authority to negotiate and conclude international  agreements.  He/she 
may delegate that authority to a minister or to any other member of the Government . 
2.80.   Amend ing legislation to align with the provisions of an agreement is the  responsibility of the  
National Assembly . 
2.81.   In Guinea, as in a number of other cou ntries, trade policy is implemented by several 
government institutions and executive bodies . The Ministry of Trade is the main body in charge of 
trade policy in Guinea, with responsibility  for submitting the relevant draft laws where necessary.  
Since Guinea is a signatory to the instruments of the Organization for the Harmonization of 
Business Law in Africa (OHADA), all laws governing trade in Guinea have been harmonized with 
those determined by OHADA, more specifically : the law on free competition and  pricing 
policy . 
2.3.2   Formulation of trade policy  
2.82.   The Ministry of Trade is responsible for the design , formulation and implementation of 
Guinea's trade policy.  It drafts trade -related  legislation  (in cooperation with other technical 
departments), which is then submitted to  the legislature for consideration and a vote . 
2.83.   The Ministry of Trade draws up trade policy measures in consultation with : 
 the private sector , represented by its different support and promotion bodies (Chamber 
of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of  Guinea;  Guinean National Chamber of Agriculture;  
Guinean National Employers Council;  Guinean Traders' Association;  Guinean Foreign 
Investors' Club;  National Union of Guinean Industrialists, etc.);  
 other competent  institutions, such as  the Ministry of the Economy and Finance 
(Directorate -General of Customs);  the Ministry of Planning;  the Ministry of Cooperation;  
the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Water Resources and Forests;  the Ministry of 
Fisheries and Aquaculture;  and the Central Bank of the Republi c of Guinea;  
 civil society through its various structures, such as the National Council of Civil Society 
Organizations (CNOSC), research centres, and universities . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 22 - 
 
  2.4  Implementation of trade policy : trade  policy meas ures applied in the Republic 
of Guinea  
2.84.   The new Guinean customs tariff, which came into force on 1 January 2017, is fully aligned 
with the ECOWAS common external tariff (CET), plus a number of  special  measures adopted 
during the transitional period. The CET’s fifth band, the "Development Band", at 35%, aims to 
protect certain products, diversify and strengthen the regional production system and promote the 
private sector.  
2.85.   In addition to the CET, Guinea has adopted trade defen ce measures including safeguard, 
countervailing and anti -dumping measure s to counter  specific  unfair  trade  practices.  
2.86.   In order to harmonize the nomenclature of Guinea's customs tariff with international 
standards, the Directorate -General of Customs has transposed  the previously used 2002 version of 
the Harmonized System ( HS) to the 2012 version , thus also bringing the tariff into conformity with 
the nomenclature of the ECOWAS CET , which is based on the 2017 version of the ten-digit HS. The 
tariff columns display  the fiscal import duty  (DFI) and fiscal export duty (DFE) rates. 
2.87.   Goods  are grouped in five categories (or bands ):  
 Category 0: with a 0% tax, consisting of essential products  of a social nature  (health, 
education, culture and information) along with  equipment and inputs for agriculture, 
livestock farming, and fish ing; 
 Category I : with a 5 % tax, covering  staples, unprocessed raw materials, and capital 
goods ; 
 Category II : with a 10 % tax, encompassing  semi-finished products and industrial inputs;  
 Category III : with a 20 % tax, comprising  end-consumer products  not included in the 
preceding categories, such as luxury items ; 
 Category IV : with a 35% tax on specific goods for economic development: products that 
are sensitive because of  their strategic nature for the region’s development 
(criteria:  product vulnerabi lity, regional integration, promotion of the sector , and high 
production potential ). 
2.88.   The DFE rates are : 
 0% for all agricultural or industrial products  harvested or manufactured in the Republic 
of Guinea;  
 5% of the value of exports of gold and other precious metals by mining companies 
unless expressly stipulated otherwise  in an agreement ; 
 3% of the value of exports of gold and diamonds by natural persons, the Central Bank 
of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG) and other le gal persons ; 
 2% for re -exports of goods of foreign origin previously imported against payment of 
import duties and taxes in Guinea . 
2.89.   The DFE rates on mining products are specified  in the special agreements signed with the 
mining companies . For all approved  mining companies, the royalt y rate is 5% of the permitted  
per-ounce value.  
2.90.   Approved m ining companies  benefit from deferred payment under  the various payment 
clauses included  in the basic agreements signed with the Government of the Republic of Guinea.  
2.91.   The duties and taxes provided for in the ECOWAS CET may be either permanent or 
temporary . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
- 23 - 
 
  2.92.   The following are p ermanent levies :  
 customs duty (DD);  
 the ECOWAS Community levy (PCC) at a rate of 0.50%;  
 the processing and assessment fee (RTL) of 2 %, which is charged  for processing import 
documents  at Customs;  
 the supplementary tax (centime additionnel  (CA)) for the Chamber of Commerce, 
Industry and Crafts of Guinea and the National Chamber of Agriculture, at 0.25 %; 
 value added tax (VAT) at the rate of 18%; this is a tax internal to  each country, not 
harmonized throughout  ECOWAS.  
 excise duty at rates ranging from  5% to 47% for certain items considered to be luxury 
goods or for which  consumption is discouraged by the State under its public health 
policy . These are taxes internal to each ECOWAS country, therefore not harmonized at 
Community level . 
2.93.   The following  duties and taxes  are temporary : the import adjustment tax (TAI), the 
supplementary protection tax (TCP) and trade defence  measures (anti -dumping, safeguard, or 
countervailing dut ies). 
2.94.   The d egressive protection tax (TDP) is no longer applied in the Guinean tariff.  
2.95.   The new tariff also provides for special treatment of certain products, which are exempt 
from VAT on importation,  namely : rice; wheat and wheat flour; edible  and industrial vegetable 
oils; materials and inputs  for agriculture , fish eries and livestock  farming ; school supplies; and 
medic ines. 
2.96.   The main categories of exemption in Guinea are : 
1. Customs and tax concessions under  the Investment Code  
 
 The benefits  provided for by these provisions are granted to any investor whose activity 
complies with the laws and regulations  in force, as  consolidated in the Investment Code. 
Taxes under the Code are assessed as fo llows: 
 raw materials: single  import duty  6%; RTL 2%; VAT 18%;  
 equipment: RTL 2%; registration tax (TE) 0.50%.  
 1.1 During the installation phase, which may not exceed three years from the 
date of first importation of project equipment, any company eligible for the 
preferential regime of the Investment Code enjoys  the following concessions : 
 Customs duties: exemption from import duties and taxes, including VAT on 
the importation of equipment and materials, except for motor vehicles 
designed for passenger  transport, with the exception of the 0.5% TE and the 
2% RTL  on the c.i.f. value.  
 As regards internal taxes, exemptions are exclusively for activities and 
salari es directly related to the development of the approved project. They 
cover the following : the business tax , the single property tax , the lump -sum 
payroll tax and the apprenticeship tax , except for the 1.5% vocational 
training contribution . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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   1.2 Customs and tax concessions are available d uring the production phase, 
namely : 
 Customs relief: throughout the lifetime of the project  once initiated, raw 
materials or inputs imported as part of the production cycle are entitled to 
customs concessions  and are subject to  an RTL of 2%, a DFI of 6% and 
VAT of 18%.  
 Tax relief: during the operating phase of the business, the investor benefits 
from a special tax regime involving  tax reductions for a maximum period of 
eight or ten years, depending on the location of the business , from the date 
on which production began . 
2.97.   Pursuant to the provisions of agreements or contracts concluded by States, Guinea's new 
tariff allows total or partial relief from customs duties for certain cleara nce operations . 
2. Tax and customs concessions  under  the Mining Code  
 A distinction is drawn between three phases: prospecting, investment, and exploitation . 
The taxes differ according to whether the business  was set up under  the provisions of 
the former  Mining Code (prior to the amended code of 2013) or under the new Code. 
They are assessed as follows:  
 Former Code :  
 Prospecting phase : full exemption , or free temporary admission against 
payment of  a fee for administrative services  only; 
 Construction phase : payment of the 0.50% registration tax (TE) and the 
administrative services fee only; 
 Exploitation  phase : payment of the single import duty of 5.6%;  
 Under  the 2011 Mining Code , as amended in 2013 , the taxes are: 
 Exploration  phase : temporary admission for equipment and, in the case of  
consumables, payment of the RTL, TE, CA and  the Community levy  (PC). 
 Construction phase : payment of the TE and RTL for equipment under the 
temporary admission procedure and payment of the RTL, TE, CA and  PC for 
consumables.  
 Exploitation  phase : in addition to the RTL, TE, CA and PC , payment of a 5% 
customs duty for on -site processing equipment and a 6.5% duty for extraction 
equipment . 
3. For externally financed government p rocurement: the RTL (2%) is payab le by  the 
successful bidder; other duties and taxes are paid by the State through the Special Series 
Treasury che que (CT); 
4. Grants to  the State , its authorities  or public institutions are totally exempt , as are 
donations made to refugees;  
5. NGO imports are subject only to the RTL (2%) and VAT (18%);  
6. Guinea ’s only bilateral  trade and tariff agreement is with the Kingdom of Morocco , 
under which goods originating in Morocco and appearing on the list annexed to the 
agreement  are exempt from cu stoms duties upon importation . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  Products originating in ECOWAS and approved under  the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme 
(ETLS)  are also duty -free on importation . 
2.98.   Guinea applies the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation . In 2016, it terminated  the 
pre-shipment  inspection contract with Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS). No pre -shipment 
inspection company is present in the Republic of Guinea.  
2.99.   The documents required for customs operations are the purchase invoice, the bill of lading 
or the air waybill (LTA), the descriptive import declaration (DDI) and the descriptive export 
declaration  (DDE), the certificate of origin and the phytosanitary certificate .  
2.5  Constraints to trade  in the Republic of Guinea  
2.100.   Trade  is, and has long been, one of the  Guinean people’s main activities after agriculture ; 
and it will remain so  for a long time , because  most Guineans derive their essential income  from 
this activity . 
2.101.   Despite the authorities’ clearly stated objective of leveraging  trade for economic growth 
and development, achieving  this in the current context of the Guinean economy is still a problem 
because of the enormous constraints that block the normal development of this sector.  
2.102.   For example, in domestic  trade, product marketing channels are no longer res pected and 
monitored by economic operators. Product r eception and grouping structures such as national 
interest markets (NMIs), major sorting and packaging centres for domestic products both for the 
local market and for export, as well as regional swing  markets , are badly lacking . As a result , 
economic actors are forced to travel all over the country in search of export products.  
2.103.   The n ational structures for supporting and promoting  economic operators in the trade 
sector lack  the necessary resources  and are badly  organized;  and the prerogatives needed for 
correct and regular monitoring of the sector are not well defined.  
2.104.   In foreign trade, there are no mechanisms for deploying  efforts beyond national borders to 
build the Guinean  economy’s  reputation and cre dibility in the international trade  arena . As a result, 
Guinea is currently at a critical juncture  where it loses many  foreign -market opportunities , partly 
because of  the poor performance of  its export products and the lack of any  mechanism such as  
trade sections or offices  dedicated to promot ing Guinean products on foreign markets.  
2.105.   In both domestic and foreign trade, there are many  major  obstacles impeding  the 
development of Guinea’s exports, especially of agricultural products . 
2.106.   These obstacles  include : (i) mainly the international environment which  is clearly 
unfavo urable to Guinean exports  — real commodity prices are on a steady downward trend and 
are currently  at historically low levels for many of the products  in question  (coffee, palm kernel, 
bauxite, etc.); (ii) market access in Western importing countries, in particular, is being made  
increasingly difficult by the application of ever-more stringent standards and quality controls; 
(iii) production problems in  terms of bo th quantity and quality; (iv) the issue of infrastructure s for 
the quality , packaging and conservation of perishable products; (v) insufficient capacity building 
among  economic actors to comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and importers’ 
private standards; (vi) the narrowness of the domestic  market as a result of the population’s low 
purchasing power; (vii) weak financial, human and technical resources available to Guinean  
economic agents , including the State , to maintain normal  commercial  activities in the country; 
(viii) the heavy  weight of the informal sector, which accounts for more than 75% of the country's 
business activities but is outside official channels; (ix) the non-existence and unreliability of the 
country's trade statistics, (x) the inadequacy of means of transport (poor air and sea services to 
Guinea), etc.  WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  2.107.   To help it overcome  these constraints , the Guinean Government is seeking support from all 
of its partners , to enable trade , like the other sectors of the economy , to contribute more to the 
creation of national wealth and poverty reduction. As over 75% of Guinean exports are  dependent 
on mining products, they suffer greatly  from:  
 fluctuations in the prices of these products on external markets. This is also true for 
coffee and cocoa, which are Guinea's leading  exports after mining products;  
 regulations and standards (sanitary and phytosanitary standards and other technical 
barriers to trade) in some of Guinea's trading partner countries;  
 precarious economic infrastructu re supporting the export trade . 
3  TRADE LIBERALIZATION PROGRAMME IN THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA  
3.1.  To further liberalize trade, the Guinean Government has enacted a law on competition and 
free pricing.  This legislation  aims to monitor violations  of free trade practi ces, such as 
arrangements , mergers, takeovers, stockpiling , monopolies and oligopolies .  
4  PROSPECTS  
4.1.  Having opted for a liberal economy, Guinea is continuing to create the conditions necessary 
for its harmonious integration into the world economy by developing its trade relations and 
diversifying its trading partners . 
4.2.  Guinea has also concluded standard bilateral trade agreements with a number of countries.  
These take into account its membership of the WTO and/or its partners, provide for 
most-favoured -nation (MFN) treatment and do not grant any particular tariff preferences.  
The countries in question are Guinea -Bissau, China, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, 
The Gambia, Iran and Ukraine.  
4.3.  In April  1997 Guinea concluded a trade and tariff agr eement with Morocco , providing for total 
exemption from customs duties  and taxes with equivalent effect for certain Guinean and Moroccan 
products traded between the two countries and included in Schedules  1 and  2. The products 
covered by this agreement are  those originating entirely in one of the two countries or having 
undergone a degree of processing of at least 40 %. 
4.4.  Guinea was also one of the first countries to accede to the Global  System of Trade 
Preferences Among Developing Countries  (GSTP) . In additio n, it has signed the Agreement 
Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and the International Coffee Agreement 
(ICA).  It is among the 3 8 countries of sub -Saharan Africa that are eligible under the 
African  Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  
4.5.  As a signatory to the Abuja Treaty, Guinea participated fully  in all negotiations for the 
establishment of the African Union's Continental Free Trade Area ( CFTA). 
4.6.  In order to increase the share of trade in the fight against poverty, Guinea must take full 
advantage of  all the increased opportunities for access to developed countr y markets  offered under 
the various international agreements, notably the Cotonou  Agreement , the AGOA , the Agreement 
Establishing the WTO , the ECOWAS Treaty , the CFTA Agreemen t, and so  forth. 
4.7.  To that end , and with support from its development partners, it is seeking to develop 
mechanisms to ensure compliance with the quality standards and regulations in force  in its 
developed country partners . The development of human capital and nation al quality -control and 
marketing capacity will also be very important for promoting Guinean exports. Trade liberalization 
will only be effective if accompanied by reforms and investments that enhance  competitiveness 
and ease constraints on Guinea's trade growth . WT/TPR/G/370 • Guin ea 
 
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  5  CONCLUSION  
5.1.  The reforms initiated in recent years aim to consolidate  economic liberalization and foster the 
emergence of a dynamic private sector. In particular , they will help to further diversify and 
increase  the supply of exportable goods and services.  
5.2.  Guinea intends to keep up this momentum of economic liberalization, and to pursue and 
consolidate th e process by aligning  its regulations with ECOWAS  and the international economic 
environment . 
5.3.  Guinea  has established and continues to actively promote  the democratic process, the rule of 
law and good governance , with a view to further strengthening structural reforms for sustainable 
economic growth and development.  
5.4.  Alongside its ECOWAS partners, t he Republic of Guinea is , and will continue to be , very active 
in consolidating regional integration in West Africa,  and it intends to assume  its obligations under 
the multilateral trading system.  
5.5.  If the international community continues to provide and furthe r increase  the necessary  
technical assistance it will be possible to remove certain constraints on production, and to promote 
and facilitate Guinea’s integration  into the global  economy.  
5.6.  The Republic of Guinea remains committed to the multilateral trading system and views trade 
as a driver of sustainable growth. It intends  to further increase  its participation in international 
trade and play an increasingly active role in the WTO . 
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