A Meta-Analysis of Sustainable Business Practices in Equatorial Guinea: An African Development Perspective, 2010–2025

This meta-analysis synthesises empirical research from 2010 to 2023 to critically examine the adoption and impact of sustainable business practices (SBPs) within Equatorial Guinea’s extractive-led economy. The research problem addresses the persistent gap between the nation’s hydrocarbon wealth and the implementation of business models that foster inclusive, long-term development—a challenge emblematic of many resource-rich African states. Employing a systematic review methodology, the study followed a pre-defined protocol. Comprehensive searches of four academic databases were conducted in July 2023, using explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria to select peer-reviewed articles and industry reports. A total of 42 studies were identified, screened, and subjected to thematic synthesis. Key findings reveal that while environmental management initiatives linked to international oil companies are documented, there is a pronounced deficit in socially oriented and governance-focused practices that empower local communities and small-to-medium enterprises. The analysis further identifies a critical reliance on top-down, compliance-driven approaches rather than integrated, strategic sustainability embedded in core business operations. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to an African development perspective, arguing that genuine sustainability in such contexts necessitates a deliberate pivot towards practices that build local entrepreneurial capacity and diversify the economic base. The implications suggest that policymakers and business leaders must prioritise frameworks that explicitly link corporate sustainability with tangible socio-economic development.