Bilateral relations Switzerland–Central African Republic

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

Switzerland provides development aid through international organisations (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UNHCR, UNICEF, the African Development Bank) and local NGOs. Peacebuilding activities complement this commitment.

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

Treaty database

Researchers who are citizens of the Central African Republic 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)

One of the thematic focus areas of the Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24 is peacebuilding. Since 2019, at the request of the Central African authorities, Switzerland has been involved in the transitional justice measures there. It has supported the UNDP's programme in this area with an expert and has strengthened the Special Criminal Court's (SCC) capacity to manage documentation. In addition, two Swiss citizens are currently serving as SCC judges. In addition, Switzerland has organised several workshops on the prevention of violent extremism. The authorities, international actors and civil society have been able to participate in these workshops.  

Since June 2013, Switzerland has been stepping up its activities in the Central African Republic. The country is now one of the priority operational areas for Swiss Humanitarian Aid. In 2014, Switzerland increased its financial contributions to its priority multilateral partners and to several NGOs. Currently, Switzerland's contribution to humanitarian activities amounts to approximately CHF 7 million per year, deployed through the ICRC, the WFP, the Humanitarian Fund and NGOs. In this context, Switzerland's activities in the Central African Republic focus on health and civil protection services.

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 10 Swiss citizens were living in the Central African Republic at the end of 2020 and 50 citizens of the Central African Republic were living in Switzerland.

The Swiss Federal Council recognised the independence of the Central African Republic on 13 August 1960 and established diplomatic relations with the country in 1964. In 1973, the two states signed two agreements concerning scheduled air traffic and the promotion and protection of investments.

However, trade has remained marginal since then.

Central African Republic, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis