Rwanda and Switzerland Forge Stronger Strategic Partnership in Landmark Bern Talks
Rwanda and Switzerland are taking their bilateral relationship to a new level as senior officials meet in Bern for the second round of political consultations, signalling a renewed push to turn diplomatic ties into broader and more sustained cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
The consultations bring the two countries back to the negotiating table following their historic first-ever bilateral political consultations held in Kigali in June 2025, creating a structured platform for deepening political dialogue and expanding practical cooperation between Rwanda and Switzerland.
The Rwandan delegation is led by Marie Grâce Nyinawumuntu, Director General in charge of Europe, the Americas and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Her directorate oversees key areas including political affairs, trade and investment, tourism, multilateralism, capacity building and technical assistance.
The Bern talks are centred on strengthening political engagement between the two countries while identifying additional areas where Rwanda and Switzerland can work together for mutual benefit.
The continuation of the consultations from Kigali to Bern demonstrates the importance both sides attach to regular and structured political dialogue. Rather than treating bilateral relations as occasional diplomatic exchanges, the two countries are building a framework for sustained engagement capable of supporting cooperation across multiple sectors.
The first round, held in Kigali on June 3, 2025, was described by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a milestone that opened the way for deeper cooperation in education, health, innovation and sustainable development.
Since then, the relationship has continued to develop through diplomatic engagement. In October 2025, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Urujeni Bakuramutsa, presented her Letters of Credence to Swiss Confederation President Karin Keller-Sutter in Bern, while discussions also explored economic and investment cooperation, sustainable finance, fintech innovation, impact investment and private-sector partnerships.
The latest consultations therefore come against a backdrop of expanding bilateral engagement, with both countries seeking to build on existing areas of cooperation while opening new avenues for partnership.
For Rwanda, strengthening relations with Switzerland fits within its broader diplomatic strategy of developing partnerships that support investment, innovation, development and international cooperation.
For Switzerland, sustained engagement with Rwanda provides an avenue for advancing bilateral cooperation while maintaining high-level dialogue on issues of shared interest.
The move from the inaugural consultations in Kigali to a second round in Bern also reflects growing confidence in the political dialogue between the two countries.
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