Switzerland and Zambia maintain good relations. Since 1 March 2020 the Swiss Embassy in Harare (Zimbabwe) has represented Switzerland's political interests in Zambia. All consular affairs are handled by the Regional Consular Centre Southern Africa in Pretoria and the honorary consul in Lusaka.
Bilateral relations
Key aspects of relations
Switzerland and Zambia have agreed to cooperate in two priority areas: food security and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Switzerland supports around a dozen projects in Zambia in conjunction with selected partners. These projects receive some CHF 3.5 million each year. Zambia is part of the Southern Africa regional programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The SDC's future programme, starting in 2023, will focus on two countries (Zimbabwe and Zambia). Zambia remains a priority country for bilateral development cooperation under Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
The volume of trade between Switzerland and Zambia is low. Switzerland imports precious metals and agricultural products and exports pharmaceutical products and machinery.
Trade promotion (Switzerland Global Enterprise)
A Swiss honorary consul is based in Lusaka.
Swiss nationals in Zambia
At the beginning of 2021, there were 119 Swiss nationals living in Zambia.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland's presence in Zambia dates back to the late 19th century. Protestant missionaries from French-speaking Switzerland began working in eastern Zambia in 1885. Swiss nationals subsequently settled in mining areas in northern Zambia.
Switzerland recognised Zambia immediately after it gained independence in 1964 and established diplomatic relations with it two years later. Switzerland opened a consulate in Lusaka in 1969.
Entry in the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
