Matthew Hornshaw recently met with members of the Equatorial Guinea High Commission to discuss potential business partnerships. Mr Balinga Ballingha Alene Ben Djibril, First Secretary and Mr Simeon Edjang Mangue, Counsellor in charge of Trade held meetings at MGH partner Hallmark Solicitors as part of the country's mission to develop and become one of Africa's most forward thinking countries by 2020.

The West African country, and former Spanish colony, has become one of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producers and in 2004 was said to have the world's fastest growing economy. In 2007 President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, launched Horizon 2020 with 5 main aims:

• Invest in strengthening economic growth
• Strengthen the development of structured investments
• Promote and strengthen the development of social policy actions
• Ensure a transparent social climate
• Develop the prospects for better monitoring and evaluation of poverty and living conditions of households

With investment and capacity building focusing on infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, transport, tourism, education and health, Matthew entered into discussions relating to education reforms of the HE sector within Equatorial Guinea. At present only one university exists, the National University of Equatorial Guinea, but the imminent opening of another institution will cater for input to the country's capacity building plans. MGH Educonsult has been asked to work on a plan for alignment of HE provision to fit within an international environment and to work with Equatorial Guinea on international links and partnerships.