Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Switzerland will maintain its presence and cooperation in Burkina Faso across humanitarian, economic, trade and governance sectors from 2026 to 2029.
Cassis made the announcement during a high-level visit to Ouagadougou, signaling continuity in a partnership that has lasted more than five decades, even as the Sahel region faces shifting geopolitical dynamics.
He said funding would be directed toward targeted investments aimed at supporting local communities. Both countries are also exploring how Switzerland could engage with the emerging Confederation of Sahel States, reflecting broader efforts by international partners to adjust relations to the region’s evolving political landscape.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marie Traoré welcomed the commitment, calling it a “highly appreciated demonstration of solidarity” at a time when many international actors are reassessing their involvement in the Sahel.
Traoré said the visit allowed the Swiss delegation to better understand conditions on the ground and to strengthen ties based on mutual respect.
Both ministers emphasized the need for deeper institutional cooperation and agreed to pursue a formal mechanism for regular bilateral consultations. The move is expected to strengthen strategic dialogue between Ouagadougou and Bern while aligning development support with Burkina Faso’s priorities.