Switzerland and Senegal enjoy excellent bilateral relations, characterised by numerous shared interests. The efforts of Switzerland and Senegal to take initiatives at the multilateral level, in particular within the UN and the International Organisation of La Francophonie, demonstrate their shared interest in developing common solutions for a number of global issues.
Switzerland and Senegal enjoy excellent political relations which cover a wide range of subjects. Trade is governed by the 1964 Trade, Investment Protection and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Senegal. An agreement governing aviation was signed in February 2021. A bilateral agreement pursuant to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was signed in 2021, which sets out the terms of cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2015, Switzerland has been providing expertise on dual vocational education and training and has been working with Senegal on
'water, peace and security' issues since 2018. Switzerland has also been undertaking work on migration, including addressing issues such as returns (SEM) and development (SDC). Cooperation work also includes academic exchanges, especially with EPFL and the University of Geneva, and cultural collaborations backed by Pro Helvetia.
In 2022, the volume of trade amounted to USD 664 million, when Switzerland was Senegal's third-largest export partner after Mali and India, largely due to gold exports.
Trade is governed by the 1964 Trade, Investment Protection and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Senegal. According to the SNB, Switzerland invested CHF 98 million in Senegal in 2022. Thirty Swiss companies operate in various sectors in Senegal, employing 800 people.
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Researchers who are citizens of Senegal 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)
Human security and stability across West Africa are key concerns for Switzerland. Multilateral cooperation with Senegal has been particularly fruitful. In December 2018, Switzerland and Senegal signed a memorandum of understanding, which was subsequently extended, to endorse and strengthen collaboration on 'water, peace and security'. Switzerland also undertakes important work in the field of human rights. Senegal is a major country of origin, transit and destination for migrants in West Africa.
Between 1962 and 2010, Switzerland provided overseas development assistance to Senegal. Since then, Senegal has ceased to be a priority country for Switzerland's bilateral cooperation, but has benefited from the SDC's regional programmes, including programmes addressing vocational education and training, food security, migration and forced displacement. Various cantons and communes, Swiss universities and NGOs are also involved in projects benefiting Senegal, totalling several million Swiss francs in value.
Pro Helvetia supports Swiss artists and others from the cultural scene, promoting projects in Switzerland and around the world. It is committed to international cultural exchange and initiates cultural and thematic programmes.
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 442 Swiss citizens were living in Senegal in November 2024, while 1,728 Senegalese citizens were living in Switzerland in March 2024.
Switzerland opened a consulate in Dakar in 1928, when around 100 Swiss nationals were living in Senegal. Switzerland recognised the new state of Senegal as soon as it gained independence from France in 1960, and established diplomatic relations with Senegal the following year.
Last update 17.07.2025
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