Bilateral relations Switzerland–Republic of the Congo

The relations between Switzerland and the Republic of the Congo are good but not very extensive.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland has set out a strategy for sub-Saharan Africa for 2021–24.

The Swiss embassy in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) represents Swiss interests in the Republic of the Congo.

The Republic of the Congo has a permanent representation in Geneva that is also accredited as an embassy in Switzerland.

Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24 (PDF, 48 Pages, 3.1 MB, English)

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

Economic and trade relations between the two countries are limited in scope.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of the Republic of the Congo can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)

Swiss citizens in the Republic of the Congo

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 21 Swiss citizens were living in the Republic of the Congo at the end of 2020 and 274 Congolese citizens were living in Switzerland.

History of bilateral relations

Between 1930 and 1940, around 15 Swiss citizens lived in what at the time was the French Congo. Most of them were working as engineers, building the railway line between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

Switzerland recognised the independence of the Republic of the Congo in 1960. Two years later, the two countries signed bilateral agreements on trade, investment protection and technical cooperation, followed in 1964 by an agreement on air traffic. Various agreements on debt relief and rescheduling were concluded in 1986, 1991 and 2005.

Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis  

Last update 26.01.2022

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