What African actors expect of Geneva

Read the PDF edition (2 pages)

Since the good practices described in this chapter are written from the Geneva point of view, it is useful to hear the African one. African companies, states and civil society organisations, consulted in the forums, reports and debates of International Geneva, express convergent expectations of the financial centre.¹ They expect fair and transparent prices for their commodities, with publication of contracts and payments. Next come sustainable financing arrangements, whose terms are public and whose use can be verified. To this is added access to Geneva’s financial services for their banks and their companies, without the indiscriminate withdrawal of correspondent banks. They also wish to see the swift restitution of misappropriated assets and the prosecution of those who received them, together with the transfer of skills and the involvement of local partners. Finally, they expect respect, that is to say business relationships conducted as they would be with European partners, with neither condescension nor complacency.

These expectations correspond, in essence, to the principles set out in this chapter, which suggests that the enlightened interests of the financial centre and of Africa converge. They depart from them on one point: African actors expect from Geneva an acknowledgement of its share of responsibility for the illicit financial flows of the past, which the financial centre, quick to describe its reforms, rarely expresses. The Bergier Commission, described in Part D, showed that Switzerland is able to look at its past when compelled to do so. The relationship with Africa would gain if it did so without being compelled.

Notes

Africa CEO Forum, “Forum 2026 – Kigali” (2025 results: more than 2,800 participants, more than 90 countries, more than 500 government participants); EITI, “Transparency in the first trade” (six countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, publishing volumes sold and amounts received); UNCTAD, Economic Development in Africa Report 2020: Tackling Illicit Financial Flows for Sustainable Development in Africa: “African Governments are urged to define an agenda for Africa in the reform of the international taxation system”; NRGI, Big Sellers, June 2019. ↩

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

English

Contact

Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

Get in touch →

What African actors expect of Geneva

Notes

Setting up or expanding in Switzerland?