Last updated: August 01, 2024
The Union of the Comoros is an archipelago consisting of several main islands in the Mozambique Channel, located north of Madagascar. The capital is Moroni. Comoros as a whole is about the size of Saarland and has a population of about 876,000, of which more than 56 percent are under the age of 25. The state is constituted a Federal Islamic Republic, with President Ayali Assoumani as its head, re-elected in January 2024 for a fourth consecutive term as President of Comoros.
Comoros is a member of numerous international organizations, including the UN, the Arab League, the African Union (AU), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Indian Ocean Commission, the Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA), the International Organization of La Francophonie, and the Non-Aligned Movement. The federal government of Comoros is committed to climate protection, biodiversity, desertification mitigation, the Law of the Sea Convention, ozone layer protection, sustainable shipping, and other sustainable cooperation measures.
Germany is Comoros’ third most important export partner, and the leading commodity it exports is vanilla. Other important export goods are generally cloves and ylang ylang, while import goods from Germany are mainly machinery and foodstuffs, as well as animal feed. In 2022, goods worth 3.8 million euros were exported to Germany, making Comoros one of the only Arab countries in which exports exceed imports with Germany. Around half of Comoros’ gross domestic product is generated in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, which employ about 80 percent of the workforce. 
Some significant challenges have faced the country; since independence from France in 1970 and a series of coup attempts have severely hampered political stability. More recently, recovery from the damage caused by Cyclone Kenneth in 2019 was delayed by the Covid 19 pandemic and its effects. Comoros also faces challenges such as reforming its education and health systems and ensuring basic services. However, thanks to a promising tourism industry the economy is diversifying and consolidating.