Karibu!
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi.
Our Embassy represents Switzerland’s interests in Kenya, as well as in Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and at the United Nations in Nairobi.
Having already been posted in Kenya ten years ago, I am happy to be back in the region. My mission is to build on the solid foundation of good work that has already been done, ensuring the stability and perpetuation of Switzerland’s engagement in East Africa and excellent relation with Kenya as well as with the other countries covered by this Embassy.
Switzerland’s interests in East Africa, detailed in the Africa Strategy 2025 – 2028 and in the Swiss Cooperation Programme Horn of Africa 2022 – 2025, are multifaceted. First and foremost, Switzerland is committed to promoting peace, security and development in the region. In accordance with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, we concentrate our efforts on four concrete priorities: good governance, food security, health and migration. In addition, Switzerland focuses on trade, economics, education, research and innovation with its East African partner countries. In doing so, we pay special attention to the protection of the environment and strengthening of democracy and the rule of law. I will continue to support our close partnership with the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), to which Switzerland has seconded four officers.
Switzerland regards Kenya as an important partner in East Africa. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, visited Kenya in March 2024 to celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations. For Switzerland, Kenya is a promising economic and trade partner. Swiss companies already have a strong presence here – both multinationals as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Our goal is to further intensify bilateral trade, improve framework conditions for investment and deepen cooperation on research, technology and innovation. Switzerland also recognises Kenya as a leader and a partner in the fight against climate change. We are working with Kenya and other countries of the region to conclude an agreement in regard to carbon offset and mitigation of global emissions (Bilateral Cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement), which will benefit both our countries and the global climate. Finally, as Geneva and Nairobi are both important UN headquarters, Switzerland and Kenya share a strong commitment to the multilateral system and to regional cooperation, in Africa and on a global level.
Ultimately, the friendship between Switzerland and the Countries of the region cannot be reduced to official political relations. The Embassy is just one of many faces of Switzerland: it is the collective presence of the Swiss citizens, NGOs and businesses that truly embodies ‘Swissness’ in these Countries.
This website provides information about Switzerland, Kenya, our bilateral relations and the work of our Embassy. If you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mirko Giulietti
Ambassador of Switzerland
