Dear visitor,
Welcome, Tigashire, Siyalemukela!
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe, which also covers Zambia and Malawi. Here you will find information about the strong and long-standing relationship between Switzerland and these three countries, the services and activities of the Embassy and Switzerland more broadly.
Switzerland recognised Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. Since then, our partnership has continued to grow. A major milestone was the signing of an international cooperation agreement in 2017 covering humanitarian aid and technical and financial cooperation. Yet our political, economic and cultural ties go back much further. As the official representation of Switzerland, we are committed to strengthening these ties and promoting Swiss interests and values across all sectors.
Our bilateral framework has been strengthened through practical agreements that promote economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange. For instance, on 19 March 2025, Switzerland and Zimbabwe signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation (DTA) with respect to income tax. This will ensure the requisite legal certainty for the ongoing development of bilateral economic relations and tax cooperation between the two countries. The continued presence of Swiss companies in Zimbabwe demonstrates Switzerland’s confidence in the country’s future. Switzerland remains one of the largest European investors here, and we hope that more companies will view Zimbabwe as an attractive and reliable investment destination.
In recent years, Switzerland has played an active and constructive role in Zimbabwe’s reform and re-engagement efforts. We are supporting the country’s Debt Arrears Clearance and Resolution Process, encouraging dialogue and trust between Zimbabwe and the international community. More specifically, Switzerland has also closely engaged as co-chair of the Lands pillar, which led to the adoption of a compensation plan for former farmers protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs), including 27 Swiss farms. Progress in this area is an important step in restoring investor confidence and the rule of law.
Switzerland also welcomed Zimbabwe’s historic decision to abolish the death penalty at the end of 2024. We were proud to support dialogue and reform efforts that contributed to this important human rights milestone. The abolition reflects shared values of human dignity and justice
Through our Cooperation Programme 2023–2026, Switzerland supports Zimbabwe’s efforts to reduce poverty and expand economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women. This engagement reflects our long-term commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, as outlined in Switzerland’s International Cooperation Strategy and Africa Strategy.
More than 200 Swiss citizens living in Zimbabwe form an important bridge between our countries. The Embassy serves as a service centre for the Swiss community and for Swiss travellers. While our Regional Consular Centre is located in Pretoria, the Embassy remains the first point of contact for Swiss nationals in Zimbabwe.
The relationship between Switzerland and Zimbabwe is built on partnership, dialogue and mutual respect. There are many positive stories to share – and many more to come. I invite you to explore our website and follow our activities on Facebook and X.
Sincerely,
Stéphane Rey
Ambassador of Switzerland to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi
