Bilateral relations Switzerland–Rwanda
Swiss–Rwandan relations are good and built on a longstanding partnership in development cooperation. Today, the two countries are keen to strengthen and diversify their ties. To this end, Switzerland opened an embassy in Rwanda in November 2025.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland has adopted an Africa Strategy for 2025–28. The objectives and measures for East and Central Africa are presented in sections 5.2 and 5.3.
Swiss–Rwandan relations are good and built on a longstanding partnership in development cooperation. The two countries wish to enhance and diversify their relations. These efforts are supported by measures including regular high-level meetings. The embassy opened in Kigali will help to make Swiss–Rwandan ties even closer.
Economic cooperation
Switzerland's trade with Rwanda is limited, even though the latter has one of Africa's fastest-growing and most promising dynamic economies, particularly in terms of investment and trade.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Several higher education institutions in Rwanda have signed agreements with Swiss universities. Researchers who are citizens of Rwanda 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)
Measures to promote peace and human security
As part of its engagement in the Great Lakes region (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda), Switzerland works to further peace, stability, poverty reduction, and the protection of the civilian population. Through its foreign policy instruments – diplomacy, development cooperation, the promotion of peace and human rights, and humanitarian aid – Switzerland seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities facing crises.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Switzerland carries out its work in Rwanda mainly within the international cooperation framework. Swiss engagement there started in 2009 through a regional Great Lakes programme, and it is now based on a national programme launched in 2026. It focuses in particular on gender equality, vocational education and training, job creation and economic development, while bolstering citizen participation and inclusive governance processes.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Swiss citizens in Rwanda
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 119 Swiss citizens were living in Rwanda at the end of 2025 and 381 Rwandan citizens were living in Switzerland.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland recognised Rwanda when it gained its independence in 1962. In 1963, Rwanda became a priority country for Swiss development aid. Following the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, Switzerland focused its engagement on humanitarian aid for the victims, before gradually resuming its development cooperation activities.
Switzerland has been running a cooperation programme in Rwanda since 2009. In 2025, Switzerland opened an embassy in Kigali.
Rwanda, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Links
- Treaty database
- Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)
- Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
- Rwanda, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
- Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Documents
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