North Africa (Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria)

The political upheavals of 2011 in North Africa paved the way for a long transition process towards an uncertain outcome. Switzerland's activities are aimed at fostering a more inclusive, prosperous and peaceful region. Tunisia and Egypt are the two priority countries for the SDC in Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24 in North Africa.

North Africa is made up of countries with very different profiles. Owing to their geopolitical weight and their proximity to Europe, they are important partners for Switzerland. All the countries of the region face the same difficulties and issues of fragility: high unemployment, especially among young people and women; corruption; gender-based discrimination; regional disparities; and political, economic and social exclusion. On top of that, they also have to contend with precarious security conditions, economic stagnation and high migration flows.

Switzerland's commitment

Switzerland focuses on three thematic priorities: governance and human rights; sustainable and inclusive economic development; and migration and protection. In Egypt and Tunisia, Switzerland is active in all three of these areas. It provides humanitarian aid in Libya and Algeria, while in Libya, it also works to promote peace. 

Governance and human rights

Switzerland is upscaling its efforts to contribute to participatory, effective, transparent and responsive governance, the rule of law and the promotion and respect of human rights, including the rights of women and migrants. In Tunisia, the new programme aims to consolidate democratic transition processes, particularly as regards decentralisation. In Egypt, Switzerland addresses the principles of good governance and supports civil society, the media and academia.

Good governance

Poverty reduction through conflict and disaster prevention

Inclusive and sustainable economic development

Switzerland focuses its activities on structural economic reforms and improving economic opportunities for young people, women and men. This includes promoting reliable economic framework conditions, innovative private-sector initiatives, access to markets and assets, and the creation of decent income opportunities for women and men. Switzerland engages in sectoral interventions to improve basic infrastructure and urban planning, private sector development providing gainful employment, better public financial management and more transparent public institutions (complementarities between the SDC and SECO).

Migration and protection

North Africa has traditionally been affected by numerous migration flows, whereby people move within their own countries, across the region and onward to Europe, fleeing economic hardship and conflict. Many of these migrants are victims of violence and exploitation. Switzerland is helping to create the necessary framework conditions in the areas of protection, respect for international humanitarian law, social inclusion of migrants, participation of the diaspora in sustainable development, safe economic migration and prevention of irregular migration.

At the regional level, the focus is on protection, basic education and integration of displaced children and young people on two intra-African migration routes, as well as on the economic migration corridor between North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. At the political level, Switzerland aims to strengthen cooperation on migration with North African states. 

Approach and types of partners

Switzerland's activities in North Africa are carried out based on an interdepartmental approach including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the FDFA State Secretariat, the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHD), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

Switzerland's main partners in North Africa

• authorities of the countries concerned at national, regional and municipal level;
• local and international civil society organisations (Danish Refugee Council, Acted, Euromed Rights, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, International Rescue Committee, Première Urgence Internationale and Save the Children);
• international organisations: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
• NGOs, private companies and Swiss centres of expertise: EBP, Helvetas, Swisscontact and Terre des hommes.