Afrikanische Unternehmen

Switzerland and Africa

Switzerland is one of Africa's most important partners in commodity trading and finance. Swiss companies are increasingly used as neutral vehicles in African infrastructure, energy and mining projects that involve Chinese, Gulf and European partners, because they allow sponsors from several regions to cooperate within a single, well-understood legal framework.

Swiss vehicles are attractive for such projects because they combine a reliable legal system, access to international banks, experienced arbitration institutions and a stable currency. For partners from different continents, a Swiss company can provide a neutral meeting ground on which governance, shareholder rights and dispute resolution are defined in a way that all parties can accept.

Key questions for African projects

Project sponsors should first examine whether a double taxation agreement or an investment protection treaty exists between Switzerland and the countries concerned, since such treaties influence withholding taxes, the protection of investments and the options for dispute settlement. They should also consider local content requirements, foreign exchange rules and the role of state-owned partners in the host country.

Compliance expectations are high on all sides. Banks, financiers and buyers will examine beneficial ownership, the origin of funds, the risk of corruption in licensing and procurement, and exposure to sanctions and export controls. A project company that documents its structure and its decision-making from the outset will find it considerably easier to open accounts, secure financing and attract reputable partners.

In this section

The articles explain Swiss project and trading vehicles, the choice between Zug and Geneva, the treaties with African states, export quotas and state participation, stablecoins in trade with China, sanctions and export controls, and the new transparency rules.