Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland's presence in the DRC is based on the coordinated use of development cooperation, peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian aid instruments.

This allows Switzerland to respond as effectively as possible to the complex political, security, humanitarian and development challenges facing the Great Lakes region, of which the DRC is a part. 

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

Economic relations between Switzerland and the DRC are modest. Only a few Swiss-based multinationals are present in the DRC, despite the country’s considerable potential. Most of the goods imported by Switzerland are agricultural and forestry products. Swiss exports to the DRC are mainly graphic arts products, chemical and pharmaceutical products, industrial machinery and precision instruments, followed by used cars.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) offers university level scholarships on the basis of reciprocity to a pool of about a dozen countries in southern and central Africa, including the DRC.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Peacebuilding and human security

Switzerland’s “Great Lakes Strategy” also covers peacebuilding and human rights measures and projects.

Improving governance, protection of the civilian population and respect for human rights helps prevent recurring conflicts in the Great Lakes region and strengthens the resilience of the affected communities. 

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Development cooperation in the Great Lakes region is undertaken in a coordinated manner within the framework of the FDFA's Great Lakes Programme 2022–25.

The main objective is to build capacities in sharing and developing the region's wealth and potential. This will enable local people and communities, particularly young people and women, to meet the demographic, environmental and socio-economic challenges of achieving the SDGs with a human rights-based approach. 

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Great Lakes Programme 2022–25 (PDF, 52 Pages, 10.0 MB, French)

Swiss nationals in Congo (Kinshasa)

At the end of 2023, there were 162 Swiss nationals living in the DRC. 

History of bilateral relations

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (known as Zaire from 1971 to 1997) was under Belgian colonial rule (“Belgian Congo”) up to 1960. Although its colonisation under the reign of King Leopold II (1865–1909) received Swiss support, religious and intellectual circles, mainly in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, campaigned at the same time against slavery, founding the “Société suisse de secours aux esclaves africains” in 1908.

The two world wars saw tremendous growth in economic and financial exchanges between the two countries. Switzerland opened a consulate in Leopoldville (present-day Kinshasa) in 1928. It was upgraded to a consulate general in 1958 and was made an embassy in 1962. Switzerland recognized the DRC in 1960, after the departure of the Belgian colonial power.

In 1972, Switzerland began providing technical assistance to the new state and concluded two bilateral trade and investment protection agreements. However it was not possible to carry out the projects planned due to the political situation in Zaire under President Mobutu.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)