Spanish Guinea was situated where the present day Equatorial Guinea is, on the west coast of Central Africa and consisted of a small piece on the mainland and several islands. The area was controlled by Spain from 1778 until 1968 when it became an independent Republic.

In 1868 stamps were issued for the Island of Fernando Po and from 1902 until 1909 for the area of Rio Muni. The mainland area as well as the islands of Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, Annobon and Corisco issued their own postage stamps between 1903 and 1910. From 1909 until 1959, stamps were issued for the whole area, initially inscribed Territorios Espanoles del Golfo de Guinea and afterwards Guinea Espanola. Fernando Po and Rio Muni were regarded as Spanish overseas territories from 1959 until 1968. Until 1960, they used stamps of Spanish Guinea, but thereafter, there were separate issues for both areas.