The temple is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a "cathedral" for its large size, however it is not based on any bishopric, so it does not enjoy that status.

The basilica was begun in 2006, funded by the Equatorial Guinean state, and built by the Italian company Makinen Venture.

The basilica has a capacity to accommodate one thousand faithful, and as the name suggests is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Equatorial Guinea.

[1] [2] The basilica was officially consecrated on December 7, 2011 by Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Arinze accompanied the Apostolic Nuncio to Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Gabon, Piero Pioppo, several bishops and more than two hundred priests.