Bilateral relations between the Central African Republic and Switzerland remained tenuous for a long time. Nonetheless, co-operation between the two countries has been on an upward tendency for the last decade.

Switzerland provides development assistance by way of international organizations (the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, and the African Development Bank ADB), as well as via local non-governmental organizations.
Swiss expertise in the domain of mediation was proposed to the Central African Republic within the scope of the “Inclusive Political Dialogue” initiated in 2008.

The small Swiss colony living in the central African Republic (15 members at status 1 January 2012) is essentially composed of missionaries and aid workers.

Radio Ndeke Luka, whose broadcasts are heard by an audience of over 1 million in the Central African Republic, contributes to democratic debate and the reconstruction of the country. It launched its programmes in March 2000 following the departure of the UN mission. The Fondation Hirondelle (Lausanne) provided the initial impulse for this radio station and remains its mainstay.

The Federal Council recognized the independence of the Central African Republic on 13 August 1960, and established diplomatic relations in 1964. In 1973, the two States signed bilateral agreements on:

• regular air-traffic services 
• trade 
• the promotion and protection of investments

Since that time, however, economic contacts have remained marginal.