Guinea, which is officially the
Republic of Guinea, is a country in
West Africa. Formerly known as
French Guinea (
Guinée française), it is today sometimes called
Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbor
Guinea-Bissau.
Conakry is the capital, the seat of the national government, and the largest city.
Guinea is home to twenty-four ethnic groups. The most prominent groups are the
Fula,
Mandinka, and
Susu.
The Guinean Government adopted policies in the 1990s to return commercial activity to the private sector, promote investment, reduce the role of the state in the economy, and improve the administrative and judicial framework. Guinea has the potential to develop, if the government carries out its announced policy reforms, and if the private sector responds appropriately. So far, corruption and
favoritism, lack of long-term political stability, and lack of a transparent budgeting process continue to dampen foreign investor interest in major projects in Guinea.
Despite the opening in 2005 of a new road connecting Guinea and Mali, most major roadways remain in poor repair, slowing the delivery of goods to local markets. Electricity and water shortages are frequent and sustained, and many businesses are forced to use expensive power generators and fuel to stay open.
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