Bilateral relations Switzerland–Benin
Relations between Switzerland and Benin are good. The focus is on development cooperation in the areas of governance and peace, as well as economic development and skills development.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland recognised Benin's independence on 1 August 1960 and established diplomatic relations the same year. The two countries have concluded a series of bilateral agreements on trade, investment protection and technical cooperation (1966), air transport (1975), technical cooperation (1981) and the entry, stay and return of persons (2010).
Switzerland has set out a strategy for Africa covering the period 2025–28.
Economic cooperation
Benin is a low-level trading partner for Switzerland in Africa. In 2024, the volume of trade amounted to CHF 6.4 million, with a trade balance in favour of Switzerland. Benin import mainly vehicles and machinery, as well as pharmaceutical products.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (SG-E)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers who are citizens of Benin can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Switzerland has had an official presence in Benin since 1981, when an SDC cooperation agreement was signed.
The new Swiss Cooperation Programme in Benin (PROBEN) 2026–29 is in line with the plans of the Beninese and Swiss governments. It aims to contribute to the integrative and sustainable development of Benin, while strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in the face of poverty, conflicts and climate change. It focuses on two priority areas: governance and peace, and the economy and skills development. Social cohesion, conflict prevention, gender equality and the effects of climate change are at the core of this.
Swiss Cooperation Programme in Benin 2026–29
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Swiss nationals in Benin
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 61 Swiss citizens were living in Benin at the end of 2025 and 425 Beninese citizens were living in Switzerland.
History of bilateral relations
Benin and Switzerland both celebrate their national holidays on the same day, 1 August. While for Switzerland this date marks the founding of the Confederation in 1291, for Benin it commemorates the country's independence in 1960, an independence that was immediately recognised by Switzerland. In the same year, the two states established diplomatic relations. Today, bilateral relations are handled by the Swiss embassy in Accra (Ghana).
The two countries have been cooperating on development issues since Benin's independence. This cooperation was deepened and formalised in 1981, when they signed a framework agreement. Switzerland opened a cooperation office in Cotonou in 1983.
In 2021, Switzerland and Benin celebrated 40 years of cooperation.
Benin became a French colony in 1894, known as the Republic of Dahomey until 1975.
Benin, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Link
- Switzerland and Benin
- Treaty database
- Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (SG-E)
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)
- Swiss Cooperation Programme in Benin 2026–29
- Development cooperation
- Benin, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
- Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Documents
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