Biography of H. E. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue
Vice-President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, responsible for National Defence and State Security.
Personal details and family background
He was born on 25 June 1968. His village of origin is Acoacán, in the Mongomo district of Wele-Nzas province. He belongs to the Esangui group of the Fang people. He is the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Constancia Mangue Nsue Okomo, and is also known as Teodorín or Teddy.
Education
Between October 1991 and February 1992, he attended the five-month Working to Achieve Vital English Skills (W.A.V.E.S.) English-language programme at Pepperdine University in the United States. This programme did not confer an academic degree.
Political and governmental career
From 1997 to 2012 he held ministerial responsibilities in agriculture, forests, fisheries and the environment. He served as Second Vice-President from May 2012 until June 2016. He was appointed Vice-President by Presidential Decree 55/2016 on 21 June 2016, took the oath on 22 June 2016 and was reappointed by Decree 41/2023 of 23 January 2023.
Military career
He was promoted to Major General of Equatorial Guinea’s land forces under a presidential decree dated 15 October 2018.
Political and association responsibilities
He is a Vice-President of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and chairs the Hijos de Obiang Association (A.S.H.O.).
Economic management, business and social projects
He chairs the Board of HOLDING Guinea Ecuatorial. His public activities include monitoring health initiatives, malaria programmes and hospital projects. He founded Asonga TV and has also been involved in business activities.
International relations and foreign policy
He participates in bilateral meetings, diplomatic activities and multilateral forums. On 25 September 2025, he addressed the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly. His international interventions have addressed cooperation, peace, development, multilateralism, African representation on the UN Security Council, Cuba and peaceful resolution of disputes, including those between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Judicial proceedings and international measures
France: France’s Court of Cassation upheld his money-laundering conviction on 28 July 2021, including a suspended three-year prison sentence, a €30 million fine and confiscation of assets. United Kingdom: On 22 July 2021, the UK announced sanctions under its global anti-corruption regime, including an asset freeze and travel restrictions. South Africa: He has been party to civil proceedings brought by Daniel Janse van Rensburg concerning allegations arising from his imprisonment in Equatorial Guinea. On 31 March 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal concerning earlier judicial decisions; this was a procedural ruling, not a new criminal conviction.
Institutional summary
His career encompasses ministerial, governmental, military, political and diplomatic responsibilities. He has served as Vice-President since June 2016 and was reappointed in January 2023.
Institutional chronology
1968 — Birth; 1991–1992 — English studies; 1997–2012 — Ministerial responsibilities; 2012–2016 — Second Vice-President; 2016 — Vice-President; 2018 — Major General; 2023 — Reappointment; 2025 — UN address.
