Angola, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso: Ignazio Cassis holds talks on the economy, science and security
Bern, 26.03.2026 — Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has just completed visits to three economic heavyweights in Africa: Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to trade and economic affairs, his political discussions also focused on security issues and cooperation in the field of science. The fourth country that Mr Cassis will visit tomorrow is Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on international cooperation: The head of the FDFA will visit a project supported by Switzerland that uses digital technology to give people better access to financial services and loans, thereby improving local economic prospects.
Stabilising economic development, maintaining high-level contacts with partners with growth potential and providing optimal framework conditions for scientific cooperation: these are the goals of the Federal Council's Africa Strategy 2025–28 for countries in West Africa and Southern Africa. They also formed the focus of the political discussions that Mr Cassis has been holding in Angola, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire since the start of his visit on 23 March 2026.
In Luanda, Mr Cassis spoke with the Angolan foreign minister, Tete António, about strengthening economic relations between the two countries and the importance of private sector investment. The Lobito Corridor infrastructure project, which connects the port of Lobito with the resource-rich regions of the DRC, is of great interest to Switzerland. This initiative, in which a Swiss company is involved as part of a European consortium that is investing heavily, is also intended to accelerate Angola's economic development. Other topics of discussion were International Geneva and cooperation in the field of peace promotion in Central Africa.
Mr Cassis also met Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda for talks on bilateral relations. He also visited a technology company founded by a Swiss–Angolan dual national. The company is active in the fields of energy, telecommunications, refrigeration technology and water pump systems, among others.
Economic cooperation was also at the centre of Mr Cassis' talks in Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the continent's third-largest economy. Mr Cassis spoke with the Nigerian vice-president, Kashim Shettima, and foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja about the extensive investments made by the more than 50 Swiss companies based in Nigeria, which employ over 10,000 people there. At the port of the country’s business capital Lagos, Mr Cassis visited an investment project by the shipping company MSC. In addition, he met with the CEOs of Swiss companies and apprentices at Nestlé and Bühler. With the support of the Swiss federal government, Swiss companies are active in the area of vocational training in Nigeria and are making an important investment in the country’s future.
In addition to economic relations, Switzerland and Nigeria also maintain close dialogue in the areas of migration, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding. Switzerland is currently acting as mediator in several conflicts in Nigeria. This mediation work was the main topic of the meeting with national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Lagos. Like the entire Sahel region, northern Nigeria is affected by jihadist violence.
In Côte d'Ivoire, there was a special focus on scientific cooperation. Mr Cassis took part in the celebrations to mark 75 years of the Centre suisse de recherche scientifique in Abidjan. The institution receives financial support from Switzerland and works closely with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
At his meeting with the vice-president of Côte d'Ivoire, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné and foreign minister Nialé Kaba, Mr Cassis spoke not only about science but also about cooperation between the two countries in the areas of business and migration. As politically stable nation, Côte d'Ivoire is an important partner for Switzerland and a hub for Swiss companies to access the markets of neighbouring countries. More than 40 Swiss companies are represented in the country, providing around 8,000 jobs. At a high-level event to mark the relaunch of the bilateral chamber of commerce, Mr Cassis emphasised the innovative strength of the Swiss economy and its companies.
International cooperation as a contribution to stability in the Sahel region
Tomorrow, Mr Cassis will travel on to Burkina Faso, where the focus will be on security and international cooperation. Burkina Faso is a country in the Sahel region that is characterised by difficult political conditions and a tense security situation. Burkina Faso is a priority country for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Mr Cassis will talk with foreign minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré about how Switzerland is creating prospects for local people within the framework of international cooperation and thus contributing to stability in the region.
While in Ouagadougou, Mr Cassis will visit a project that enables people to make direct payments via mobile phones and mobile payment terminals. This gives them easier access to financial services and loans, while local financial institutions can mobilise more resources to support the rural economy. By supporting the project, the SDC is providing direct aid to the population and making a tangible contribution to security, which is also in Switzerland's interest.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Angola
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Nigeria
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Côte d'Ivoire
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Burkina Faso