Bilateral relations Switzerland–Madagascar
The two countries enjoy a long tradition of friendly bilateral relations. Cooperation between economic, social and cultural entities, in particular via non-governmental organisations, is considerable.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland has set out a strategy for sub-Saharan Africa 2025-28.
In East Africa, the strategy focuses on four priority areas: peace and security, prosperity and competitiveness, the environment, and democracy and governance.
Economic cooperation
Economic relations are relatively modest but show considerable potential for development. A number of big Swiss companies are active in the country. Most Swiss economic activities in Madagascar are focused on the tourism sector. Trade is primarily in products such as spices and commodities, especially organic brands.
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Trade promotion (Switzerland Global Enterprise)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers who are citizens of Madagascar 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
Young professionals, State Secretariat for Migration SEM
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Since the country gained independence in 1960, Switzerland has undertaken several development cooperation programmes, including in the rural sector. The SDC ended its involvement in Madagascar in 2017.
Since 2017, Swiss cooperation in Madagascar has taken the form of ad-hoc humanitarian operations and development projects supported by the embassy. Switzerland has also made core contributions and provided targeted support for specific projects via the UN system, other international organisations, and NGOs active in the country.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (fr)
Cultural exchange
The embassy runs a number of cultural projects every year, and works with festivals, artists and other partners to promote cultural exchanges between Switzerland and Madagascar.
The embassy's social media channels and newsletter provide further information on its cultural activities:
Newsletter of the Swiss embassy in Madagascar (fr)
Swiss nationals in Madagascar
According to the statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 472 Swiss nationals living in Madagascar and 695 Madagascan nationals living in Switzerland in mid-2025.
History of bilateral relations
Relations between Switzerland and Madagascar have developed significantly since the opening of the first Swiss consulate in Toamasina on 3 October 1925. Switzerland immediately recognised Madagascar's independence in 1960, and diplomatic relations were established a year later.
After maintaining a consulate general in Antananarivo during the early years of independence, Switzerland opened an embassy in 1964. The embassy was run by a chargé d’affaires for many years, but has been under the direction of a resident ambassador since 2007.
In 1998 the SDC closed its cooperation office in Antananarivo. In 2001 it launched a special programme on good governance and the promotion of the local economy, which continued in a revised form from 2013 to 2017.
Madagascar, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Links
- Treaty database
- Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
- Trade promotion (Switzerland Global Enterprise)
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
- Young professionals, State Secretariat for Migration SEM
- Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (fr)
- Newsletter of the Swiss embassy in Madagascar (fr)
- Madagascar, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
- Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis
Documents
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