Swiss Development Cooperation in Southern Africa

Map of Southern Africa
Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation works in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). © Switzerland Embassy in Zimbabwe.

Switzerland’s support to the region of South­ern Africa covers the 16 member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It focuses on food security with climate change adaptation dimensions and HIV/AIDS in the whole region. For the implementation of its projects, Switzerland works with regional part­ners with capacities to implement at national and regional levels in order to foster regional dynamics and ownership and to promote the sustainable development of these countries.

Context

After decades of conflict, the region of Southern Africa has become politically more stable, with so­cio-economic indicators showing an upward trend. However, inequalities remain very pronounced which fuels violence and insecurity and leaves co­horts of vulnerable people struggling to survive in a difficult environment aggravated by climate change and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Improving governance remains one of the big challenges, particularly in countries rich in natural resources. Several SADC countries are showing symptoms of state fragility. Stability and the reduction of discrimination and in­ equalities are important development targets for the years to come.

History of Swiss support in Southern Africa

Swiss support to the region started in 1994 in South Africa and has since developed into a regional pro­gramme covering all 16 SADC Member States. Inte­grated in the Embassy in Harare, the Swiss Coopera­tion Office works closely with other embassies in the region i.e. Pretoria, Nairobi, Maputo and Dar es Salam. In line with SADC priorities, the areas of intervention of Switzerland’s 2018-2022 de­velopment strategy are food security and HIV/AIDS with a specific focus on youth employment. In Zimbabwe, special activities in the areas of water supplies and sanitation, as well as the protection of vulnerable groups have been developed in the wake of the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding since 2008.

Food security: improved seed for a better livelihood

Food security: improved seed for a better livelihood
At the local level in SADC, smallholder farmers are beginning to diversify their commercial seed production to include a variety of crops. © Switzerland Embassy.

Switzerland is supporting smallholder farmers with several projects focusing on harmonising seed laws to facilitate cross-border exchanges, better access to markets, improved seed quality, and adaptation to climate change. This support strengthens the capac­ity of farmers to deal with natural disasters and food crisis as well as to participate in the development of new policies.

The SDC supports the development of improved open pollinating maize varieties, and with the in­creased availability of high-quality seed, contributes to ensuring better access to safe and adequate food. In 2017, the diversity of seed crops was enhanced through the registration of thirteen new crop vari­eties in addition to maize varieties in the SADC re­gional variety catalogue. These registered crops can now be traded amongst SADC countries without restrictions. At local level, smallholder farmers are beginning to diversify their commercial seed pro­duction to include cowpeas and sugar beans, while for the informal seed sector some households have increased diversity of seeds produced from 8 to 14 traditional varieties of cereals, legumes, pumpkins, and vegetables.

HIV/AIDS: prevention, care and support to reduce vulnerabilities

HIV/AIDS: prevention, care and support to reduce vulnerabilities
In Southern Africa, Switzerland helps to develop new health policies to address the needs of adolescents and children and to improve knowledge on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and on sexual and reproductive health. © Switzerland Embassy.

Focusing on prevention activities with regional part­ners, Switzerland helps to develop new health pol­icies to address the needs of adolescents and chil­dren and to improve knowledge on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and on sexual and reproductive health. It is also engaged in increasing access for these young people to psychosocial and material care and specific treatment.

2016 and 2017 were years of policy successes. The Minimum Standards for the Integration of HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health, the SADC Harmonized Policy Framework on Care and Support for Teaching and Learning, the HIV, SRH, TB and Malaria Programmes Integration Strategy were finalised and endorsed by SADC Council of Ministers. Another regional mile­stone was the adoption of the Model Law on Eradi­cating Child Marriage by the SADC Parliamentary Fo­rum which will require member states to harmonize their national laws to prevent child marriages.

Transversal themes: governance and gender

Transversal themes: governance and gender
Swiss promotes gender equality and its support focuses on the role of women farmers and on their specific tasks, needs and responsibilities. © Switzerland Embassy.

Governance: Switzerland aims to enhance the equi­table and accountable allocation and use of public resources, mainly by promoting a stronger voice for civil society.

Gender: Swiss promotes gender equality and its support focuses on the role of women farm­ers and on their specific tasks, needs and responsi­bilities. In the area of HIV/AIDS, Switzerland strives to improve the response to the needs of women and girls, who are considered to be the most vulnerable social group.

Our partners

  • Swiss NGOs: Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss­contact, Pro Helvetia
  • SADC Secretariat (Gaborone/Botswana)
  • Relevant ministries of SADC member countries
  • International, national, local NGOs: Southern Af­rica Aids Trust, Media in Education Trust Africa, Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative, GRM In­ternational, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) and others
  • International organisations: UNICEF, United Na­tions Population Fund (UNPFA), World Food Pro­gram (WFP), ICRC, IOM, African Development Bank (ADB), World Bank