Relations between Switzerland and Tanzania are friendly and reflect the long and fruitful partnership between the two countries. This is mainly based on the 30 Swiss companies represented in Tanzania, the 250-member community of Swiss nationals living there, and a substantial cooperation programme launched by the Swiss government.
Bilateral relations
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland enjoys good relations with Tanzania. Its work initially focused on development cooperation, but has since expanded into many other areas including political, economic and cultural exchanges.
Switzerland's work in Tanzania is based on its Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24.
Tanzania hosts the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC), where Switzerland is accredited as an observer.
Tanzania is located in the Great Lakes region, where Switzerland is actively engaged in promoting peace and the fight against poverty. Its support covers good governance and the protection of civilians, health, and economic development.
Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy 2021–24 (PDF, 48 Pages, 3.1 MB, English)
Economic cooperation
The economic ties between Tanzania and Switzerland are strong, with trade and investment at their core. In 2023, Swiss exports to Tanzania totalled CHF 23 million, while imports from Tanzania (including gold) amounted to CHF 413 million.
Switzerland is Tanzania's fourth-largest export market and one of the top 20 foreign direct investors in Tanzania (CHF 117 million). Tanzania was the ninth largest market for Swiss exports to sub-Saharan Africa in 2023.
The Switzerland–Tanzania Chamber of Commerce (STCC), launched in February 2023, aims to create a platform to support Swiss companies exporting to and investing in the country. The STCC also strengthens relations between the Swiss and Tanzanian business communities.
Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE
The Switzerland–Tanzania Chamber of Commerce (STCC)
Economic Report Tanzania 2024 (PDF, 18 Pages, 670.7 kB, English)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers who are citizens of Tanzania can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) acts as a 'leading house' for sub-Saharan Africa, providing various instruments to support bilateral cooperation in the fields of research and innovation.
In addition to the SDC's long-standing engagement, SERI supports the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) via the Swiss TPH.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
The Swiss cooperation programme for the period 2021–25 is supporting Tanzania's process of becoming an equitable and stable middle-income country and enabling young people to improve their social and financial situation.
The outcomes of the current programme are clustered around three main areas:
- Strengthening state institutions
- Expanding civic space
- Improving young people's livelihoods
In all its projects, Switzerland works to improve gender balance, mitigate global warming effects, and promote good governance principles.
The cooperation programme contributes around USD 24 million per year.
Cultural exchanges
Switzerland devotes 1% of the budget of its cooperation programme to encouraging artists and others from the cultural scene, so as to help make the scene strong, dynamic and innovative.
Swiss nationals in Tanzania
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 253 Swiss nationals were living in Tanzania in September 2024.
History of bilateral relations
In 1927 Switzerland opened a consulate in the coastal city of Tanga. It was later relocated to Dar es Salaam and upgraded to a general consulate, then an embassy.
Switzerland recognised Tanganyika's independence in 1961 and Zanzibar's in 1963. Fully-fledged diplomatic relations were established in 1964, when the United Republic of Tanzania was created.
Switzerland and Tanzania have signed a series of agreements to bolster bilateral relations in technical and scientific cooperation (1966), civil aviation (2004), mutual investment protection (2006) and international mutual assistance in criminal matters (2016).
