Published on 13 March 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Burkina Faso

Relations between Switzerland and Burkina Faso are good and focus mainly on development cooperation and trade.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland recognised Burkina Faso's independence on 5 August 1960 and established diplomatic relations in 1961. Since then, the two countries have signed agreements on trade, investment protection, technical cooperation and budgetary aid.

Switzerland has set out a strategy for Africa covering the period 2025–28.

• Africa Strategy 2025–2028

  On 20 December 2024, the Federal Council adopted its new Strategy for Africa 2025–2028. Peace and security, prosperity and competitiveness, as well as the environment, democracy and governance are the priorities of the strategy. In view of the growing political and economic importance of the African continent, Switzerland intends to strengthen its partnerships with the continent in the interests of both sides.

  PDF3.82 MB6 March 2026

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

Burkina Faso is a major trading partner for Switzerland in Africa. In 2024 trade reached CHF 2.78 billion, with imports from Burkina Faso to Switzerland, mainly of gold, accounting for the bulk of this figure. Switzerland's main exports to Burkina Faso are pharmaceuticals, metals and machinery.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of Burkina Faso 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)

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Burkina Faso has been a priority country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) since 1976. The SDC's 2026–29 cooperation programme identifies civil protection, peace and governance, and the development of socio-economic opportunities as priority areas. Switzerland favours an approach based on partnerships and proximity, while the triple nexus of development, humanitarian aid and peace support ensures it responds appropriately to the country's complex conditions.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Swiss nationals in Burkina Faso

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 74 Swiss citizens living in Burkina Faso and 387 Burkinabe citizens living in Switzerland in December 2024.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland recognised Burkina Faso (previously Upper Volta) when it gained independence on 5 August 1960. Diplomatic relations were established the following year. In 1970, a consular agency was opened in the capital city of Ouagadougou. This agency is now part of the cooperation office. A cooperation and consular affairs office was opened in 1974.

In 1969, Switzerland and Burkina Faso signed an agreement on trade, investment protection and technical cooperation. Further agreements on technical cooperation and budgetary aid were signed in 1978, 2006 and 2009.

Burkina Faso, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Links

• Treaty database
• Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE
• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)
• Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
• Burkina Faso, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
• Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Documents

• Africa Strategy 2025–2028

  On 20 December 2024, the Federal Council adopted its new Strategy for Africa 2025–2028. Peace and security, prosperity and competitiveness, as well as the environment, democracy and governance are the priorities of the strategy. In view of the growing political and economic importance of the African continent, Switzerland intends to strengthen its partnerships with the continent in the interests of both sides.

  PDF3.82 MB6 March 2026

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