Relations between Switzerland and Niger are good. They are characterised by long-standing bilateral cooperation aimed at promoting the country's development, improving the living conditions of its population, and promoting peace.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Niger
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland has delineated its Africa Strategy for the period 2025–2028.
Niger is a priority country for Switzerland's international cooperation. For over 45 years, the SDC has been promoting rural development and access to education and vocational training.
Switzerland's engagement in Niger also covers peace promotion.
Bilateral trade is relatively modest, with Swiss investments negligible.
Africa Strategy 2025–2028 (PDF, 40 Pages, 3.8 MB, English)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers who are citizens of Niger 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
Switzerland has been present in Niger since 1978. Its cooperation programme for 2025 to 2028 focuses on food security and resilience, on education in emergencies and vocational education and training, and on good governance at the local level and the protection of vulnerable groups. It attaches importance to the nexus – the link between development, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding. Activities are concentrated mainly in the Dosso, Maradi and Diffa regions.
Niger is facing serious challenges linked to poverty, conflicts over resources, inequality and the effects of climate change, all of which augment insecurity. The coup d'état in July 2023 increased political and geopolitical uncertainty.
Swiss nationals in Niger
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 20 Swiss citizens were living in Niger at the end of 2024 and 89 citizens of Niger were living in Switzerland.
History of bilateral relations
The Federal Council recognised Niger on the day it declared independence – 3 August 1960 – and established diplomatic relations in 1961. A consular agency opened in 1973, and was replaced by a cooperation office in 1977. Despite several agreements – including on trade, investment protection and technical cooperation – economic exchanges between the two states remain limited.
